"Did you sleep?" Joe asked, a bit timidly as Frank rubbed his eyes and stirred his coffee.
"No." He raised his eyes and offered a slight smile. "You?"
"Not a wink."
Joe sat across from his brother, watching him anxiously, feeling the discomfort hanging between them. He wanted to pretend like the night before hadn't happened, but he knew that leaving it unresolved would make for farther fighting. And he hated arguing with his brother.
"I'm sorry," both boys said at the same time. Then they both grinned.
"I really am, Frank," Joe pleaded.
"I know. I am too. It's just…I need you to trust me on this. I'd tell you if I thought…" Frank looked away suddenly.
"What?" Joe asked gently.
Frank shut his eyes. "I messed up, Joe. I did something stupid and…" he turned and looked his younger brother in the face, "you might pay for it."
Joe swallowed, remembering the brick with the death symbol crashing through his window.
"I need to fix that. I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt."
Frank looked so horribly lost and guilty, Joe knew he had to say something. He reached over and touched his brother's arm.
"It's okay," he said easily. "How many times have you bailed me out of something stupid? Tell me what happened. I can help…"
"I can't Joe."
Frank looked imploringly at his younger brother, pleading for understanding. "Please trust me. Please understand."
Joe wanted to protest, but he saw his older brother's desperation and nodded.
"Okay," he said softly.
"Promise me, Joe. Tell me you'll leave this alone."
The younger Hardy felt a chill raise goosebumps along his arms. Frank never asked for promises. Not unless he really, really needed something.
Damn you Frank why can't you just talk to me!
"Promise," he muttered. Frank sighed with relief.
"Then we're agreed."
Joe nodded, but the chill didn't recede. Something was really scaring Frank. So badly that he wouldn't—or couldn't—fight back. Something that could get them both…
"Agreed," he murmured, praying that somehow their pact would save them, knowing that vows meant nothing to the man who now hunted Bayport, the man from the folder.
The man who would destroy them both.
