"Not so tough now, are you?" Jared's voice echoed in the back of my mind. I struggled to open my eyes. Every limb burned from the vervain IV coursing through my body.

"Tanner. How could you," I whispered. Although I fully anticipated my brother to fall for Jared's nonsense, I didn't expect him to allow him to harm me. I bet this is how Jess feels.

Even with my eyes open, my vision wasn't nearly adequate. Another fuzzy fist came toward my face and connected with my cheek. "Where's that piece of shit sidekick of yours," Jared demanded.

"I told you, I don't know. When I went upstairs he was gone and Kara was unconscious." I lied. Zachary should be around the house somewhere. He was waiting for my signal, so he could come and untie me.

"We don't have time for this. Let's just go Jared." Tanner's voice emanated from behind me.

"What's wrong Tann? Doesn't make you happy to see your mistake of a brother beaten and disheveled? He's finally getting what he deserves for all of those times he has overshadowed you." Jared grabbed the crowbar he had used to incapacitate me when I came downstairs and held it in both hands.

"I'm serious, Jared. That's enough."

"I don't think it is. Not until he learns never to steal from you again." He pulled it back, standing in a batting stance. "I've been waiting decades for this."

I closed my eyes and braced for impact, but the pain never came.

"I said, that's enough! You don't fight my battles for me anymore. Go get the car." I opened my eyes to see Tanner holding Jared by the throat.

He released him, and Jared rolled his eyes. "Fine. But don't say I didn't try to help." Jared sped out of the room.

"I'm sorry, but I'm nothing without her. If there's even a chance that he can take me to her—" Tanner began. He kept his back toward me, never meeting my eyes.

"Don't bother trying to explain. I get it, but we could have done this together. One day you'll learn how corrupted Jared has made you. I'm just sorry it has to be later rather than sooner." He was still a hopeless cause. Although this ordeal opened his eyes, it wasn't enough to knock him off his high horse. I doubt he will ever be able to go back to the man Jessica once loved. That just meant that I needed to get to her first.

"I'll have Kara bring you down food occasionally. I don't know how long we will be gone. I hope one day you can forgive me, bother." His last word echoed in my mind as his figure sped out of the basement doors.