If this is confusing then let me know and I'll try to clarify anything for you.

Preston watched both with interested eyes. It was amazing to watch them. Everything started jumping out at once at him. It was almost mind boggling how two men who weren't raised together could be so much alike. Their mannerisms were almost in sync. He'd never understood why Eli was the way he was. He was nothing like that motherfucker that raised him. He was nothing like Wayne either and it made him bristle. He wasn't like his mother or anyone else he knew.

Though he didn't know the man that raised Mac it stood to reason he likely wasn't like him either. They were sizing each other like two wild animals getting ready to fight. He could imagine nostrils flaring as they scented the air and the prey that was so close. Eli was unlike Otis and Wayne in a lot of ways. The bastards were uncouth and ignorant, neither planned. No vision to shit they done. Eli had calculating eyes that told you he was ten steps ahead of you before you ever made your first move. Mac had those same eyes and it was eerie to see it mirrored the way their mothers own would.

It made his blood boil in a way that he'd not felt in years. He'd felt echoes of it over the years but there was nothing he could do. His hands had been tied. Eli understood. He'd explained shit to the boy years ago and the hate he'd felt Otis spiraled from there.

Eli and Mac turned instantly towards him. They were completely in sync with their movements. Eli raised a brow and scoffed at him. Mac sneered and the tendons stood out in his neck as he rolled his shoulders. Their arms came up at once crossing over their chest. They were more alike than he'd anticipated.

"Explain." Mac snarled.

His voice made Eli's shoulders tense. Preston shot him a look that had it easing slightly. He was use to Mac's temper already. He also done some digging and knew that his temper was nothing to take lightly. It was best to answer when he asked something. When he'd been digging around the second he'd heard Mac was here he'd paled at the destruction he'd wrought upon the town he'd come from. It wasn't hard really. His record showed he was cleared of all charges but one look in his eyes told him that Mac was something else altogether.

For all that Eli was like him he wasn't a murder. He'd stilled the boys hands from killing Wayne before. Made him bide his time. Same with Otis. He knew now that it wouldn't be the same for Mac. There would be no telling him to take it slow. He came here with a plan. He was a weapon someone aimed and hit the trigger on. He wanted to know who was behind the scenes.

"Mac?"

His head whipped around at the sound of the woman from earlier. Harper breezed into the room. Eli raised a brow watching her. There was a smile that slid across Mac's face that looked like two wolves fighting for dominance. She didn't stop at the smile. Anyone else with have a mind would have. It screamed danger and dread. When she got to him she wound her arm around his torso and leaned up whispering to him. He looked down and nodded. She smiled at him and Preston's eyes widened seeing a smile that matched Mac's own.

Eli's eyes were on her ass for a second before he started really looking at her. He was seeing the same thing Preston himself seen earlier. Harper looked the picture of innocence with her wide doe eyes and pouty lips. Her movements had a grace that dancers would kill for but it was almost eerie. She moved like a predator. She moved like Mac.

"This is awkward." Harper sighed.

Eli snorted suddenly and his nod was sharp. "Preston."

Mac turned his head to the side eyeing his brother. Preston almost felt nervous for the boy. He knew that Wayne and Otis both would die. If not by his or Eli's hands then Mac's. It was just who got to them first. He wasn't sure what Mac would do about Eli.

"How much do you know?"

Harper met Mac's eyes and they were talking without saying a word. Mac set and drug her into his lap. Eli leaned out the door suddenly and let out a loud whistle. Daphne showed up when called. She stood at his right shoulder just a step behind him. Preston raised a brow at him but Eli curled his lip at him in anger.

"The bitch ran when she pregnant." Mac's voice was cold.

"That all?" Preston questioned almost staggered.

Harper pursed her lips and seemed to be vibrating with anger. Her hand ran over Mac's shoulder and seemed to circle just above his pectoral muscle. She met his eyes and they were haunting. They swirled and danced like fire just before it burned you alive.

"Say what the fuck you need to say?" Eli snapped. "Tell him."

Preston brought his hand up and ran his thumb over his bottom lip. Daphne's hand dropped and ran along Eli's forearm. He could see the trimmer in her hand. She caught Eli's hand. He allowed her to hold it and he watched Harper. She didn't try something like that with Mac. The air around the pair was almost wild.

"She ran after her brother and her fought." Preston watched Mac and seen the slight clench of his jaw at the word brother. His boots thudded slightly and Harper shot a sharp look down and balanced her weight over his lap stopping the move. She was hiding his tell, smart. "Otis was abusive but her brother was a manipulative fuck. He helped Otis launder money and sold her to him after a business deal."

Mac's teeth started showing and he imagined for a second that he could see blood showing on them. Mac's eyes were focused in a way that was unsettling.

Harper turned and regarded him. "His name."

It wasn't a question. She was demanding the information.

"Lucien."

Mac's eyes dilated and he leaned into Harper slightly. Breathing deeply. His hand was on her hip suddenly and Preston's eyes widened seeing her shirt ride up. There was a dark scar on her hip. It wasn't that it was a scar but that he could see that it was deliberate. He seen enough of it before Mac's hand clamped down like a vice to see Mac's name carved into her. Harper licked her lips and Preston shot a look to Eli. His eyes were focused on her hip and he knew he'd seen the same thing. Alike in many ways.

"How do you know her?" Mac looked up at him through his lashes. His voice was emotionless. "Why am I hearing this from you and not Otis or him?" He jerked his head at Eli.

Eli looked over at him lazily. "He is our dad." He deadpanned. "I found out years ago. I got curious and started questioning things. Otis would never answer shit about her and neither would Lucien. I knew enough to know I had a brother somewhere out there. They never called Wayne my brother once. Never called Otis my dad."

Preston nodded, "He was still too young to go against his guardian and instead went to a social worker. She looked into things and found his DNA wasn't a match for Otis. She went missing before anything else could be done."

Mac looked over and appraised Eli before looking at Preston. "Otis killed her?"

"We're assuming he did on Lucien's orders. It would have been around the time your mother died." Preston pushed.

He wanted to know how she died. He wanted to know what she'd been put through. He wanted to know the goddam lies Lucien told. At the mention of her death Mac darkened. So it wasn't a car wreck like reports said. Lucien again. He'd ask later. He didn't think from the coldness to Mac's eyes that he'd been close to her. He was aloof and for good reason. When he'd first met Mac he'd been excited. It was his long lost son coming home even if he didn't know. He'd been enthusiastic and tried to shake his hand. Mad had looked at it and then at him. He'd thought he might have had a thing about germs like some people he knew until he seen Harper with him. Harper was allowed to touch him and no one else. The girl was possessive but then so was Mac. It was like they were marking their territory. She was a part of his son and someone he'd have to try to understand. Harper came off as sweet and naive but it was clear quickly that she was a good match for him.

"Told you." Harper's voice carried like a snake's hiss as she met Mac's eyes. "Can I?"

Mac held her eyes and gave her a lazy smile. His fingers drummed against her bare skin. "Yes."

Harper's thighs clenched together tightly and Preston's eyes widened. She squirmed on Mac's lap biting her lip and almost panting. It was obscene. He didn't want to think about exactly what was going through either of their heads.

"The man you were with never said anything?" Eli asked.

Mac laughed dryly. "He talked a lot but nothing that mattered."

"He's dead." Preston told Eli.

"How?"

One look at Mac's face told him that he'd for sure done it. He looked to be reminiscing. If the records he'd seen of him even when he'd been in jail were true then his son was a violent man. He reminded him a lot of himself when he'd been that age.

"He died bloody." Harper purred running her hand around Mac's neck and into his hair. "His son died bloody too."

Preston smiled and Eli looked relieved. "Why the fuck did he get to kill the son of a bitch that had him but I didn't get to fucking kill Otis!"

"Eli." Daphne sighed.

"No fuck that!" He snarled. "You've kept me from doing it for years."

Harper and Mac were watching Eli with interest. If there was someone who could stay Mac's hand he knew that person was in his son's lap at the moment. She looked amused at Eli's outburst. Daphne looked ready to backhand Eli. Maybe it'd work out better this way. It must burn Otis's ass to know his own daughter was always with Eli. Both knew that Eli knew he wasn't the son of the man they just didn't know that he knew his father. He knew Daphne wasn't his sister and she knew he wasn't her brother. He also knew Daphne's feelings for his son weren't platonic or familial.

"If you killed him when you'd wanted to then I would have been in foster care." Daphne said primly.

Eli slumped. Mac chuckled and Harper grinned. "Mac at least waited until I was of age to kill my dad."

The shock of how alike the situation was hit both boys instantly. They were eyeing each other. Daphne shot a weary look to Mac. She knew that Eli had dark thoughts but not how dark they really ran. To hear that his brother had in fact killed someone was unnerve to her. Mac's eyes flicked to her and amusement gleamed in his eyes and his nostrils flared. He looked every bit the predator he was. Everything about him was made to lure people to him and he could easily see how someone would fall for the look if they didn't know what he was. He was like the big bad wolf come to play with his food before he finally decided to take a bite. Daphne shuddered and Harper leaned into Mac. Even if he chained Mac he knew he would have done what he wanted regardless. He'd follow no one and do no mans bidding. He was strong willed and didn't do anything by halves.

Eli huffed but looked at Mac. He seemed pleased that Mac killed Harper's father. It could have been in cold blood and it was clear still Eli would approve. Not that Mac was seeking it but it was there. He eyed him right back and then looked at Daphne again. She shifted closer to Eli. Mac looked at Harper and she pursed her lips. Mac widened his eyes at her and just tilted his head.

"Be good." Harper hissed quietly. "She's your brothers."

It wasn't she was dating Eli. It wasn't that she was friends with Eli. It was a very clear declaration to Mac. A message she was giving Mac. Daphne was Eli's property. Mac studied the girl for a second before looking at Eli. He shrugged and looked back at Preston like he hadn't just been thinking about killing the girl. Eli flipped him off catching then byplay and that backhand connected with the back of his head. Daphne glowered at him.

"What a great way to greet your long lost brother. By being a right bastard." She snapped.

"You're being a fucking cunt." He sneered.

"Anyways." Preston interrupted. "I was digging around in anything I could find about her. Lucien found out. He started trying to cover his tracks. I went to prison for a few years. She had Eli then and then when I got out on a technicality she got pregnant with you. I didn't know about either of you. Lucien pulled strings and got me back in jail. By the time I was out she was gone and I had no clue where to start."

Eli's boot started thudding and he breathed out harshly. "It was luck that the woman I went to was friends with Preston's mother. She let slip what she knew of my case."

Mac shifted and Harper stood. She stretched and met Mac's eyes. He nodded and she walked out. Daphne looked at Eli and he jerked his head. She walked out.

"Lucien's on borrowed time." Mac licked his lips and his voice seemed darker, hungry..." he already knows that. Harper has been trying to kill him for months. I wouldn't let her."

"Harper?" Eli looked at him and out the window where Harper was. She was watching Daphne with interest.

Mac followed his eyes and a proud smile graced his lips. It was the first genuine smile he'd ever seen on his son's face. "I'd watch how you talk to her. She don't like rude people."

Eli looked back at Mac and smiled suddenly. "Has she met a woman named Lonna?"

Mac grimaced. "Yes."

"I take it she's coming on to you then? She's always had a thing for stalking me glad to see she passed that torch to you." Eli laughed. "Maybe if I'm lucky she'll gut that rude bitch."

Mac stood, "Wouldn't be the first cunt she's gutted."

That statement brought both me up short. Preston looked out at Harper. She turned like she felt his eyes on her. She didn't back away from the look or balk. Instead a fierce protectiveness in her eyes made a chill go up her spine.

"Why did they let Otis raise Eli and hide me?" Mac questioned suddenly.

Preston looked over. He swiped at his face. "I was involved in some shit that was in direct competition to them. Otis and the man you were with both worked for the competition. They wanted me to stop and I refused. Otis raped her and I got sent to jail. You heard the rest but I never knew about either of you until Lucien used you all as leverage. I stopped and he left you alone but never gave me the information. I found out about Eli but Lucien blocked all attempts to get him. He has powerful friends."

Mac stared at Preston hard. "You looked for me?"

"Yes."

"What would you have done had you found me?"

"Killed the motherfucker who had you." Preston snarled.

"She was right." Mac shrugged carelessly. "He died very bloody. Lucien got me out of the charges though. He came out of nowhere."

"He wants something then." Eli's voice dropped the temperature of the room.

"I know." Mac smiled. "He thinks I'll kill Otis for him. If what you say is right about him being in drugs it makes sense. He's likely getting sloppy. I know Walter was a lot of the time. He was desperate to keep me in that town though."

"It would have been the agreement from Lucien and the men in charge." Preston said.

"He wants you to kill Otis?" Eli asked.

Mac met his brothers eyes. Both were staring at the other almost hungrily. Eli told him once before he felt like he was missing something. Like a phantom limb syndrome and Preston was almost willing to bet that Mac felt the same. He'd likely never understood since he never knew shit about his brother but Eli knew. The look in both of their eyes told Preston all he needed to know. Eli was already starting to feel a deep seated protectiveness towards his brother and Mac was a vicious type. He'd murdered for sport and for that woman out there. His love was bloody.

"Are you going to?" Eli questioned.

Mac looked his brother over. Eli had a scar from where Otis cut him once that was showing along his throat. It ran down his chest but Mac's eyes were on it. Eli's hand came up seeing where he was focused. He paled at the memory and Preston bristled seeing the reaction. He watched as it clicked with Mac and he made a snap decision.

"Yes."

His voice took shape in front of them. A glint of the man that Mac really was taunting them. All dark scattered images of something dangerous and sharp. Made to kill and a lust for it. It was just a matter of who would get Otis first. Eli would likely put a bullet between his eyes. That was his thing. He'd liked guns since he'd been a boy and Preston taught him to hunt. From reports he knew that Mac's varied. Nothing was conclusive but he was creative. If Otis found himself with Mac then it wouldn't be fast.

"I want to help." Eli stood. "I need-"

"Okay." Mac nodded slowly. His eyes came over to Preston and he nodded as well.