I never wanted to ask her because it will never change how I see her or the others, but I can see how deeply she needs to let go of the secrets she’s holding on to.
She glances up, and my heart aches when I see tears forming in her eyes.Trepidation is not an emotion that she shows.She’s never let herself be vulnerable.And I know if I get up to comfort her, it will close her down and she’ll run.
“I can’t tell you everything,” she starts, and puts her hand up when I go to object.“Not because I don’t trust you, but because I don’t want you complicit.That said, you need to know some of it to make your choice on whether to stay or go.From what the Hayes said about your boss, it will only be a matter of time before they find out—unless this guy coming over today can stop them from finding out.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I tell her heatedly.“You can tell me anything.”
“Mum and Dad,” she begins, glancing out of the window.“Well, mostly Dad.They owed money to Pasco, a thug they met in Ireland.We moved all over so they couldn’t catch up to us.And I...I couldn’t leave my sisters with them, never knowing where they would end up.I hoped we would be okay, but then Dad, he, um, he stole money from another bad guy to pay the first one.He didn’t know said bad guy worked for the same person he owed money to.”She laughs but there’s no humour in it, only pain and anguish.“Only my parents could be that fucking stupid.Pasco put two and two together.He tried to make a deal with my dad: Makayla for a clean slate.Dad agreed, thinking he wouldn’t have to go through with it.Mum and Dad were going to a friend for a loan when they died.Pasco must have found out because he had it all planned out.We hadn’t even been told our parents were dead when he came for Makayla.I did what I had to do to make sure he didn’t take her.”
“Malia,” I whisper, unsure of what to say.This is some thriller television drama shit.“Why didn’t you call me or Mum?”
“We couldn’t risk them going after your mum.Mum promised to leave Dad and said we would be safe, but it was lies.She never planned to leave him.She believed his promise about us leaving the country and travelling the world.”
“And this guy is after you?”I question.
Her look gives me a cold shiver and I grip the blanket, bracing myself for the impact of her next words.“No, Summer,” she replies sombrely.“He won’t be going after anyone ever again, but he does have family.It’s only a matter of time before they come asking questions.”
“I’m so sorry, Malia.Truly sorry.I didn’t know things were that bad.I can’t imagine what that was like for you all.”
“I thought this was our fresh start.I thought we were free.But it could all come back to bite us in the arse.I don’t want you in the crosshairs.”
“I’m not going anywhere.We will make sure Katherine doesn’t find out about Pasco or your parents,” I assure her, then think about the time Freya pointed out it was weird they lost their parents and grandparents so close to each other.“Do you think...do you think this guy killed your grandparents too?”
She shrugs.“I don’t know.Dad had us use his mum’s maiden name whilst we were moving.But his fuck-ups have cost us.He wouldn’t let us go.I tried to take my sisters but he always threatened to have me arrested.No one even questioned why someone nearing thirty was living with their parents.When Makayla came of age, she chose to stay too, not wanting to leave the rest of our siblings to a fate our parents chose.Each and every one made the same decision.We were talking to a lawyer about getting custody of Milly when everything happened.”
“So it will be stupid to ask if you think the break-in was to do with Pasco or Katherine then.”
She snorts.“No fucking clue without knowing who it was.”
“He had a scar running over his chin.”I grimace.“I guess that isn’t much help, but I couldn’t see much.I would recognise him if I saw him again if that helps.”
She tilts her head to the side, biting her lower lip.“It does help.I think I would remember seeing someone like that, so I don’t think he’s from our past.”
“We will get through this,” I promise her.“You aren’t alone.”
“You’re really okay with all this?You’re acting like I told you I cheated on my husband.”
I snort.“Yes.I didn’t live it.You did.Who am I, or anyone, to judge how you got through it?None of that changes what you all mean to me.”
“Even kind of knowing about Pasco?”she whispers.
“Even then.I would hope if I was ever in that kind of situation, I would have the strength to do the same.You protected your sister.”
“If you ever change your mind about leaving, we will never hold it against you.”
“Never.I’ve finally got you all back,” I state, then pause, hoping to go somewhere lighter than the conversation we are having now.I know Malia needs that too, from the look on her face.“Malia, how did I get to bed?”
She grins big, swaying back and forth on the chair.“Oh, Reid kindly offered to carry you to bed.Makayla has a picture if you want to see it.It was hot.And you cuddled into him, sniffing his neck.”
Heat crawls up my neck.“You’re lying.”
“Oh no.You whispered, ‘You left with her’, to him, and he thought we knew what you meant.”
I fall back, closing my eyes.“Kill me!”
“What did he do?”she asks.“I mean, I’ve practically laid out some of our shitty experiences to you.It’s only fair you share.”
I roll my eyes at her.“Seriously?Blackmail?”
