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“Bullshit All you wanted was to be better than round next to Copper’s head “Not better now, are you?”

Never once, in his entire life had Copper considered himself above Rusty Sadness swamped him Would Rusty have turned out another way if Copper had raised him differently? Was this just who Rusty was, a narcissistic sociopath? Or had Copper ut told him Rusty ho he was Like Toni said, not everyone with a difficult upbringing turned into a onna be, Rust?” Copper asked He rolled to his back and propped on his elbows No chance in hell of standing on that leg

His blood brother shrugged “Nah This is how it’s gonna be”

Before Copper had a chance to react that cryptic statement, a size twelve biker boot careened toward his face Rusty’s boot ainst the side of Copper’s head with an audible crack Seconds before his skull collided with the rocky ground, Copper had one thought Shell was going to lose her shit when he didn’t show at the diner

The pain in his head ht the inevitable The sound of Rusty’s laughter penetrated the loo of unconsciousness

Copper was fucked He hadn’t told a da His brothers were sh

Someone would find him

As long as Rusty left so to find

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“EGG WHITE OMELET?” Shell asked Izzy At least three days a week Izzy ate at the diner, and always had an egg white omelet with spinach, tomatoes, and a side of fresh fruit

Boooring

But it could explain why Izzy looked like sooddess whereas Shell still hadn’t returned to her pre-baby weight over four years later

Such is life

“Nah, not today I’ to have the cinnae No…bacon Actually, I’ll take the bacon, but can I have an extra side of sausage?”

Shell blinked, and across the booth frolare Izzy shot her had Shell laughing as well After picking up her butter knife, Izzy pointed it at Steph “You, shut it” Then she swung the blunt weapon in Shell’s direction “And you! You’ve had a child, you should empathize with me Buncha bitches,” Izzy muttered