One thing was easy at least. “We’ve got to go.”
Everett raises an eyebrow at me.
How didn’t I believe him?
“It’s just a few hours until curfew.”
Don’t care. “I’ll take care of it with Maddox.”
“It’s not Maddox I’m worried about. Ms. Jules scares me.”
Don’t roll your eyes. “I’ll take care of her, too. Let’s go.” I turn and walk away.
“See you later,” Everett says to the kids with him, who I completely ignored, and rushes to catch up with me. “What’s this all about?”
“My brother doesn’t live on Willow Street.” The words come out harder than I meant them to.
Everett stops walking. “What changed? Because I told you that days ago.”
And I almost believed you then. There’s no point in pretending. I turn to the kid and look him in the eyes. “The DNA test came back. You’re my brother.”
“And?”
“And my brother doesn’t live here. You have a family. We protect our own.”
He shakes his head. “You just declare it so, and I’m supposed to jump up and do what you say? That’s not how it works. I don’t care if you’re a billionaire. You don’t tell me what to do.”
Today isn’t the day for me to forget my brother is a person, but I really don’t have the patience for this. “I’m sorry.”
“How did you get my DNA, anyway?”
“I stole it off your head.”
Everett looks shocked and then angry. “I need to disappear, and it’s your fault. I liked it here. I told you they’re dangerous. You ruined everything.”
“Cool your jets. No one knows anything. I had the DNA run privately.”
“Privately?”
“No records. No paperwork. No names or addresses. No connection to you or me. I listened to you and took you at your word. Nothing changed. You’re still safe here.” And you will be at home.
“How did you do that?”
I raise an eyebrow back at him. “I’m a billionaire. How do you think? Now, are you coming?”
“Yeah, I’m coming.”
We start walking side by side.
“How did your dad handle it?”
The knots in my stomach twist tighter. “We’re about to find out.”
***
Nonna opens the door before I can reach for the handle. “You’re late.”
“I didn’t know we had plans for tonight.” I lean up and kiss her cheek.
