"No!" Jay shouted, scrambling back to his feet. His voice was raw, pleading. "No, bro! Jace is Pablo's son, but Pablo made his life hell! Pablo has two sons—Samuel is one, and Jace is the other! The abandoned son! The one who was never wanted! Pablo raped Jace's mother and left her with nothing!"
Leo's fist froze in midair.
His arm trembled. His breathing was ragged.
He looked at Jace. Jace was slumped against the wall, his nose bleeding, his eyes already swelling shut. He nodded weakly, his chin dipping.
Jay continued, his voice shaking, his eyes wet with tears he was trying to hold back. "Pablo made Jace's life hell from the moment he was born. He never had a proper home. He was always running, always hiding. Pablo tried to kill him multiple times, bro. Multiple times. That's why he was threatening us. That's why we were scared. That's why we kept it hidden."
Leo's grip on Jace's collar loosened, his fingers going slack. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling.
