I can practically see the smile from Pax on the other end of the phone. “I already have. There’s just one problem.”
Of course. Because nothing can just come easy. “That is?”
“None of this can be used in a case against him. The lawyer Nico provided can’t present this without being questioned how he got a hold of it.”
I had figured as much. To be honest I’m not worried about the legality of it all. “What I have in mind I don’t need the side of the law.”
“You promised you wouldn’t kill him.”
“I’m not going to kill him,” I appease him. Yet. “I’m going to do some good old fashioned blackmailing.”
“You think that’s going to work?”
“Would you rather have me killing him, Pax?”
“Honestly, if the feds weren’t on your dick I’d say go for it. Men like him should be put down.” For Pax being the pacifist amongst us brothers it’s always a little jarring to hear him advocate violence.
“Coming to join the side of violence, brother?”
“There are some men who deserve it. Not all but some.” He compromises.
“Call me if anything more comes up.”
“Will do.”
Grace returns in my arms I lean down and place a soft kiss on the top of her head.
“Do you want more time with your mom or do you want to go?” I ask her.
Glancing over her shoulder she looks back at her mom whose condition hasn’t changed and most likely won’t in any short given time.
“Does it make me a horrible person to say I’ve seen enough for today and that I’ll come back tomorrow?” Her question brings me back to Connor’s. Both of them questioning their morale and humanity.
I shake my head. “No baby, it doesn’t.”
“Then I’m ready to go.”
Taking her hand in mine I lead her out of the hospital room. As soon as we enter the hallway i can see the brave front she’s been holding start to tumble down.
I can feel it, Grace is only minutes from falling apart.
And I’ll be there to catch her if she falls.
She’ll never have to pick up the pieces while I’m here.
Her hand holds onto mine with an intense grip. Taking a glance down at her I see the shimmers collecting into pools in her eyes.
I know we won’t be able to make it to the truck. The way her body is starting to tremble and the sniffling noises with quick pants of breath she’s seconds away from either having a breakdown or a panic attack.
Both of which I’m very familiar with.
We don’t make to the end of the hallway before I see a trail of tears begin to fall down her cheeks.
Keeping her hand still in mine I tuck her in my side. And despite our massive height difference it somehow works. Her curves against the hard planes of my body.
And even though I try to quicken my pace so that we can make it to the truck away from everyone before the panic attack takes hold it doesn’t work that way.
Because life doesn’t work that way.
