TheClosetKidnapper

"And I'm stronger than you and Jace put together." Nic says.

Jace nods, glancing at Nic. "How about I come with you?" Nic asks. "I need to kick some ass and no bastard gets away from hurting a little girl."

"You're gonna leave again?" Jace asks, sympathetic but afraid of going through the sanity-losing time he'd have to wait to get her back.

Jace brings her closer as Nic sets a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry." Jace whispers. "That's not fair at all."

Jace sits next to her and wipes the tears from her eyes, Nic walking over and taking her other side. "C'mon. You can tell us." Nic whispers. "We're all family ...

Jace takes Rayah in his arms. "What happened?"

"You have a screwed up family, no offense." Nic says.

Jace blushes, looking down. "Yep." NIc smiles, enjoying embarrassing his brother. "Seventeen."

Nic nods. "Nine for me. Jace's first time was when you two met."

"Seventeen." Nic says. "When did you start drinking?"

"I'm exactly 21." Nic says, eyeing the bartender. He signals another number with his hands though, revealing himself to be one year less than that.

"I know. But I'm still older than you." Nic smiles, finishing his Coke and ordering a scotch.

Nic laughs and shakes his head at them. "For a kid, you drink a heck of a lot."

"Still here." Nic calls, laughing at breaking the kiss between his brother and Rayah.

Jace sighs of relief and hugs her.