“He’s bad news. I’m not making shit up about him. He messes with Ro’s head and…” I trail off before I say too much. Ro has already begged me not to tell them. Sighing, I turn to face my older brother. “He has this fucking hold over Ro, and no matter what I’ve done, I can’t break it.”
“Maybe that’s the problem,” he softly says.
I quirk a brow.
“The more you try to separate them, the more Roman rebels.”
“Maybe that’s a part of it, but there’s more to it. He really seems to like him.” I flop down on the bed. “I don’t get it. Ro is happy here. I know he is. Why can’t he just forget about the asshole?”
Kai sits beside me. “Why not let him come here, and we’ll tag team him? Warn him off together.”
“You believe me?”
“Of course. You’re super protective of Roman, and I know his happiness means everything to you. If the guy was a good guy, you’d have no issue with it. The fact you do speaks volumes.”
I narrow my eyes, wondering if he’s playing some angle. “This doesn’t mean we’re friends.”
“I’m under no illusions when it comes to your opinion of me.”
Guilt simmers in my veins at his statement, and I feel like a bit of a shit.
“I want to ask you something, and I want an honest answer this time. This is just between you and me, I promise.”
“So, you won’t tell your wife?” Disbelief threads through my tone.
“Okay, between you, me, and Abby.”
I crank out a laugh. “Thank you for your honesty.” I sit up straighter. “Ask.”
“Did that sick bitch abuse Roman in the group home?”
Fuck. Fuck. I scrub a hand over my mouth as I contemplate how to answer.
“I see the truth written all over your face.” Kai’s face pales. “How bad was it?”
“Bad,” I grit out.
“Fuck.” He bends over, placing his hands on his knees. “Fuuucccck!” he roars, moving over to the wall and slamming his fist into it. Bits of debris and little cloudy puffs disperse in the air as his hand goes clear through the wall.
The intensity of his reaction surprises me even knowing what I do about his feelings toward family.
“You can’t tell him you know,” I blurt, standing as Kai removes his hand from the broken wall. “He doesn’t want any of you to know. He never wants to talk about it, even with me, and he refuses therapy every time I raise the subject.” Pain mixes with guilt and shame as I hang my head. “I failed him,” I mumble. “I didn’t protect him. It’s all my fault.”
“No.” Kai grips my shoulders. “Look at me.”
I slowly raise my face.
“It’s not your fault. You were only a kid. I see how you are with him, and I just know you have done everything in your power to care for him. I’m so fucking proud of you, Zayn, and you are never to blame yourself. If you want to blame someone, blame me.” Tears prick his eyes. “We should have been there to protect him, to protect you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Abby says, entering the room and watching us both with observational eyes. “But I’m pretty confident neither of you are to blame and the guilt lies with the person who committed the wrongdoing.” Her eyes flit to the wall and then her husband’s hand. “I guess I should be grateful it wasn’t your brother’s face.” She takes Kai’s hand, inspecting the cuts and shredded skin on his knuckles. “We need to clean this.”
“In a minute,” Kai says, lowering his hands to his side.
“Roman has gone for a walk. I said I’d speak to both of you. He misses Jarvis, and that’s why he’s sulking. I suggest we let him come for the weekend on the condition he brings no drugs, and if he’s as bad as you say he is, Zayn, then we’ll do what we must to protect our little brother.” She plants her hands on her hips. “Unless either of you have a better plan?”
Kai and I exchange a look, shaking our heads in unison.
“Good, that’s settled.” She tugs on her husband’s arm. “Let me fix that up before Zayn and I have to leave.”
