I never felt more that way than I did at this very moment.
He rambled on with his usual excuses and most likely lies. But he was still my brother and I loved him very much and would do anything to protect him like he’d done for me. I lowered my head, placing my hand on my forehead. The ache was always the same, keeping me from focusing.
But this was the worst and one of my greatest fears.
“Okay, just try and stay calm. I’ll be right there.”
When I hung up the phone, a tiny moan slipped past my lips. This was very bad.
“What’s going on?” Amelia asked.
“It’s Donovan.” I lifted my head, hating to admit the family’s dirty laundry. “He’s been arrested.”
By the time I pulled up in front of the shitty apartment community where Donovan lived, I was exhausted, drained to the point I wasn’t certain if I could recite my name.
“I’ll be fine, sis. I can handle it from here.” He ripped at his seatbelt, struggling with it since he was still under the influence of drugs. Once it was off he remained where he was.
So did I.
“I’m real sorry,” he muttered and I truly believed him.
I cringed more inside, trying to keep from yelling at him. He’d almost overdosed once and I’d hoped and believed his stay at a rehab center had helped him, but I’d been wrong. Granted, maybe I should have spent more time around him, but the man was draining both emotionally and financially. Just seeing the light in his eyes fade more and more was heartbreaking.
Only a couple of days before he’d called me for money for rent, but I’d heard the angst in his voice. I’d learned to tell when he was asking for a handout so he could purchase drugs. It had started innocently enough with being injured playing football in college, but the anguish had lasted beyond what the doctors had said. An addiction to painkillers had followed.
My father hadn’t paid much attention, telling Donovan to suck it up and beat the addiction. For a little while, my father’s tough love had seemed to work.
Then my brother had discovered heroin.
“No. I’m going to tuck you in. Just like you used to do with me. Okay?” I hated being in this part of town, especially at night, but what choice did I have? I’d made the mistake of allowing him to stay in my place. Once had been enough. He’d stolen five hundred dollars I kept in cash for emergencies, the only decent piece of art I owned, and my laptop.
Forgiving him had been easy. Forgetting was something else.
I’d thrown him out and we hadn’t talked for a few months. But he was still my brother.
“Sure. Whatever. I’m sorry about this.”
He’d apologized ten times, but I knew if given the chance, he’d be out on the street even after the arrest for possession and selling. Thank God, it had been a tiny amount, but I doubt he’d be able to beat this.
I’d been forced to drain my savings for bail, something my father wouldn’t do. I hadn’t bothered calling him.
Donovan finally slammed open the door, tumbling from the car. At least he was mostly sober given how long he’d remained behind bars before they’d allowed him to call me. I’d need to get him an attorney, but with what money?
Thoughts of Christian’s offer slithered into my mind. There had to be another way.
Even if I wanted to change my mind, there was no doubt I’d burned the bridge between us. Oh, this was such a nightmare.
I climbed out, immediately pulling my purse tightly against me. I had mace and a Swiss Army knife, but I doubted that would keep me safe from the dangerous assholes who I’d seen before lurking in the darkness.
“Come on. Let’s get you tucked into bed.”
Thankfully, he didn’t fight me, allowing me to guide him up the stairs to the second floor. When I walked inside, I was forced to hold my breath. The stench was horrible. When I turned on a light, despondency immediately rushed into my mind.
There were pizza boxes with half-eaten pizza in several places including on the floor. If I looked closely enough, my guess was that I’d see insects crawling over them. Pizza was the only thing he wanted to eat. At least I knew he was consuming something even though he was close to skin and bones.
A long-term facility was needed. How in God’s name was I going to make that happen?
By calling Christian and taking the offer.
