Read The Circle Eight: Tobias for Free Online Page B

for a few moments. It seemed James had fallen for Rebecca, which wasn’t a surprise. She had a lot for a man to fall for. She was beautiful, smart, stubborn and a damn good healer, no matter what awful things Tobias said to her.  
    “She ain’t for you, boy.” Tobias barked the words like a dog protecting his bitch. Ridiculous because she wasn’t his. He’d thrown away that opportunity in the darkness of a spring night five years earlier.  
    “She can decide for herself. You’re here because I knew Will’d want you here. I don’t.”  
    “I ain’t deaf or stupid. I know you hate me.” Tobias wouldn’t admit how much it bothered him. “I’m here for Will too.”  
    James pulled his fist back and slammed it into Tobias’s jaw with the force of a mule kick. His head swam as stars danced behind his eyes. He hit the ground with a bone-jarring thump and skidded a few feet in the dirt. Pain thrummed through his head and damned if he didn’t have a few loose teeth.  
    “I hope that fucking hurt, you bastard. He’s almost dead because of you.” James’s voice was littered with unshed tears. “If you had taken care of us the way Pops told you to, we wouldn’t be half a day’s ride from home and he wouldn’t be fighting to live. You put your head in a whiskey bottle and shit on the rest of us. I am fucking done being your brother.” James’s footsteps faded, leaving Tobias alone. Again.  
    Tobias hadn’t known a person could live after their heart had been broken into a thousand pieces. If James had stabbed him with a knife it wouldn’t have hurt any less. Tobias knew he’d been a bad brother and a selfish jackass, but he hadn’t realized the depth of hatred James had for him. It cut hard and deep, leaving Tobias bleeding, on the outside and inside, in the dirt where he lay.  
    He stayed where he landed long enough for the dew to settle over him. The cool mist felt like gentle tears from heaven. Perhaps the angels wept for him knowing he was beyond redemption. He sat up and the world swam around him. He explored his jaw, which was already swelling. His tongue found the loose tooth and the coppery taste of blood.  
    “Fuck.”  
    Tobias managed to get to his feet and stumble back into the house. Selfish that he was, he went straight back to Rebecca and Will. He was a stranger in a strange place, filthy and bloody. He needed to be around someone who knew him.  
    As he entered the house, he wiped off the angels’ tears.  
     
     
    A noise woke her. She straightened with a start, disoriented and stiff. Rebecca blinked and looked around, her heart pounding. She’d slept in many places while helping others. It wasn’t unusual to wake up in an unfamiliar place.  
    She spotted Will first, sleeping with the fresh bandages shining in the lamplight. He breathed steadily although he was very pale. She moved to check his forehead for a fever when another noise sounded from the floor.  
    Rebecca peered down and found Tobias sleeping at her feet. He was on his side, his arm pillowing his head. His jaw had a fresh bruise and dried blood decorated the corner of his mouth. She frowned and wondered what had happened while she had dozed off. Perhaps Tobias had tussled with James. They had been at odds since they’d seen each other. Another mystery she wanted to solve but couldn’t since it wasn’t her business. Damn it.  
    She sighed and stepped carefully around him to check on Will. He was cool to the touch but fever could take hold at any time. He wouldn’t be out of danger for at least two days. She would need to send word back to the Circle Eight to let them know she had to stay put at the Donovan ranch. Matt wouldn’t be happy she was helping the Gibsons. He held grudges and he’d never forgiven Tobias for what he’d done to the ranch. No matter that he had worked for three months to rebuild everything that had been lost. Matthew Graham was a stubborn cuss, but she had to admit he was a wonderful