“How about a homemade pizza?”
He seemed surprised and nodded. “As long as you have pepperoni.”
That I could do.
Fixing the problem was way out of my league.
CHAPTER 21
Vanessa
The yin and yang of myrelationshipwith Christian was exhausting. He’d been my rock the day before, not only protecting me from any physical abuse doled out by my brother, but also by bringing Donovan into his home.
He’d made pizza from scratch including the dough, enjoying the freshly made nonalcoholic lemonade instead of alcohol so Donovan wouldn’t be tempted. He’d also made good on his promise, staying awake almost all night long. I’d found him in the wee hours of the morning in a chair that he’d pulled closer to the door of the living room, which offered him a clear shot of anyone coming down the stairs.
Instead of waking him, I’d taken the soft throw on the back of the couch, tucking him in. After that, I’d stood against the wall in the dark, trembling and anxious while doing nothing more than ensuring his chest was rising and falling.
Much like I’d done with Donovan a few months before when I’d been worried he’d overdosed.
Then to my surprise, Christian had disappeared early in the morning without a note, an email, nothing.
I’d been furious, immediately thinking the worst as was so easy to do with the man. However, in learning he’d taken it upon himself to add his name to the list claiming responsibility for Donovan, I’d been floored.
Straight up off my ass floored.
He’d sat with me in the courtroom, giving me space yet ensuring I knew he was there if I needed to break down. I’d come close, stopping only because I had to remain strong for Donovan. Thankfully, the three-hour ride to Naples had been uneventful. The music had soothed nerves. The conversation had been light.
Donovan had seemed somewhat happier, only his constant scratching of his arm giving any indication he was already going through withdrawal.
I’d allowed myself to feel relieved. Hopeful.
But now… Now everything felt claustrophobic.
“I’ll be fine, sis,” Donovan said quietly. Since being escorted to his room, he’d remained looking out the window. At least he had a lovely view of a garden-like courtyard. What he didn’t know but I’d seen was that the lush property was surrounded by an eight-foot wall almost as if he was inside a prison.
I’d been forced to remind myself without Christian’s intervention and the deal made, that’s exactly where he would be.
The tour of the grounds had provided some sense of relief. Neither the interior nor the grounds appeared as if Donovan was being incarcerated. In fact, the plush surroundings reminded meof a five-star hotel complete with fabulous amenities including three restaurants, a coffee shop, a bookstore, a huge general store that carried almost everything, several gyms, a racquetball court, and four pools. There was more, but my brain hadn’t been able to process everything.
“I know you will,” I said with as much confidence as possible. My eyes drifted to his arm. He’d drawn blood on the drive, but at least I’d seen the haze fade, resignation moving into his system.
“Does Dad know?”
“Not about Rosewood.”
“Because he doesn’t give a shit.”
“He’s out of town.”
Donovan snorted. “Of course he is. Time to face it, sis. Our parents don’t give a shit. I’m nothing but an embarrassment.”
A part of me wanted to tell him to prove our father wrong, but the other part knew the words were cruel. “Don’t worry about Daddy dearest. Just take care of you.”
He turned around to face me and fighting the tears was becoming a sport. Even standing in a bright cobalt polo and light cargo pants, the attire thanks to Christian’s expansive wardrobe, he appeared so frail. My big strapping brother. My first protector. Now I needed to protect him.
“Who’s going to take care of you?” he asked.
“I can take care of myself.”
