The Heathen

Preacher Brothers. That's what we were. A unit. The only family I had.

I'd never felt love, never felt like I belonged.

I buried what emotions I had lingering deep down, pushed them away until I was this stoic, apathetic machine. It's how I survived, how I kept my brothers safe.

It's how I showed them I cared, that I wasn't a machine, a monster.

My history was one of violence, neglected by a parent who only wanted to train his sons to steal, to take from others.

It's all we knew, so that's how we continued to live long after the old man died and we were left to make our own lives.

Professional thieves.

That's what I was, and I reveled in it.

I'd been such a recluse, taking care of my brothers as they grew up, making sure we had money, food to live. I never wanted or needed a woman… never even knew what it was like to touch, kiss… claim a female.

And that had been fine with me. Until now. Until she came into my life and refused to back down. Until I knew walking away from her would leave a hole in my heart.

Kimber.

Mine.

But I wasn't a good man, and Kimber deserved better. I should have left. But I couldn't.

And I knew one thing for certain... not making her mine would only guarantee my complete ruin.

She was my downfall in the best of ways.