Free Fragments (The Broken Series Book 2) by Carrie Cox Page B

sight that greeted me stole my breath away.
    Jack stood only inches away from the edge of the cliff, his dark hair buffeted by the strong breeze. Alexander was only a couple of feet away from him, his whole body taut, facing him off.
    Jack swayed a little, and took a step closer to the edge. I opened my mouth to scream, but no noise came out.
    Jack’s face was flushed, and his eyes burned as he stared at his older brother.
    My breath was still coming hard and fast. I couldn’t seem to inhale enough oxygen.
    After what seemed like an age, Jack turned around and saw Lauren and I standing there. Under any other circumstances, it would have been comical because he did a double take and then frowned.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked. “Why has everybody come down to the cliffs? I wanted to be on my own.”  
    Jack’s words were slurred, and he’d obviously been drinking heavily. As if any further evidence was needed, he kicked at the empty bottle of whiskey next to his feet.
    I couldn’t reply. I couldn’t even swallow the lump in my throat. I wanted to shout at him, to scream at him to get away from the edge, and I wanted to ask him what the hell he thought he was doing. I wanted to know if he was planning to jump.  
    But I said nothing. I just nodded.
    “I don’t know what all this damn fuss is about. I told you, I just needed a little peace and quiet.” He turned away, awkwardly stumbling in a way that made me catch my breath.
    But he didn’t fall. He headed away from the cliff edge, clambering back up the stony gravel area towards the lawn.
    Alexander quickly walked to Jack’s side and offered a hand to help his brother when he stumbled, but Jack pulled his hand away harshly. After Jack stormed past him, Alexander stood there staring after him.
    We all watched Jack’s retreating figure as he walked back to the house.
    After a moment, I felt Lauren’s hand in mine and she squeezed my fingers. It was such a simple gesture, but it meant the world to me. I could feel my eyes watering, so I bit down on the inside of my mouth and pinched the bridge of my nose hard to stop myself crying.
    Then I took a step towards Alexander. His face was pale, and he looked shell shocked. I know it was cruel of me, but I had to ask.
    I took a couple more steps towards him. “Was Jack going to…?”  
    I couldn’t make myself actually say the words.
    Alexander shook his head. “I don’t know. I just found him like that, at the edge of the cliff.” Alexander’s voice sounded flat and emotionless, but I knew that he was just as distraught as me.
    I glanced back at the churning sea, taking in the sharp peaks of the great, glistening rocks and bit my lip. I felt Lauren wrap her arm around my waist, tugging on me gently.
    “Come on,” she said. “There’s no point hanging round here now. Let’s go back to the house.”

16

    Jack

    I stormed back into the house, ignoring Maria’s questions as I walked past. I grabbed another bottle of whiskey from the kitchen and hugged it tightly against my chest.
    I was so unbelievably angry. I didn’t know where this fury had come from, but in that moment, I didn’t think I could talk to anyone without biting their head off.
    I struggled with the handle of the door leading to my wing, and in my frustration, I kicked the door, leaving a smudged, black boot mark.
    “What the hell?” Brian’s voice came from inside, and a moment later, he opened the door.
    I watched his expression closely as his eyes skimmed over me, no doubt taking in my bloodshot eyes and my slumped posture, before his gaze focused on the bottle of whiskey in my hands.
    “No goddamn lectures,” I growled as I pushed my way past him.
    “What the hell are you doing? You reek of alcohol,” Brian said.
    “I said no lectures.”  
    I turned around and set the bottle of whiskey heavily on the counter. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite level, and the bottle tilted before falling over. I scrambled to grab it and