“I took the night off. I made sure Michael was more than prepared to take care of your safety if need be.”
My muscles stiffen at his dismissal—so like my father, so unlike McCrae. He knows that’s not how it is between us. McCrae might get paid to be my personal guard, and we might’ve never wandered beyond a professional relationship regardless of my attempts, but we are more.
He’s more to me, and I’m more to him, even if he wants to pretend I’m not.
“And like you said, it’s the middle of the night. Why the fuck are you here, Valentina?”
“Are you my fucking keeper now?” I snarl, crossing my arms.
“Why are you here?” He fiddles with another cigarette, the tip unlit between his fingers, like he’s fighting the urge to light it.Why am I here?
That’s my problem—rage and anxiety always get the better of me, and I find myself in situations where I have no answer to the simplest questions.
I cock my hip, pulling my lip between my teeth to try and mull over an acceptable answer. SayingI was driven by jealousy and crippling fear that you were leaving me, the same way and for the same fucked up people as my brotherdoesn’t sound badass or even rational.It sounds fucking weak.
I’ve never had to explain myself to McCrae, and although it’s usually a blessing, tonight, I recognize my error. His eyes narrow more, small chips of icy blue in the darkness, before he motions to the car still idling behind me.
“Get in the car and go home, V. I’ll follow on my bike.”
His words fill my chest with a balloon of hope, but just like a balloon filled with too much air, it pops almost instantly, the needle of pity pricking the thin exterior. My hackles rise at the realization it’s for the benefit of those here that he’s leaving with me, not my own.
But I won’t be anyone’s fucking charity case.
“Fuck you,” I bite out, filling the words with as much hate as I can muster.
Before he can open his mouth and say something annoyingly placating in that way only McCrae can, the front door squeaks open, and I meet my brother’s eyes.
“Valentina, what the fuck?” The words are a hushed curse, and it only pisses me off more. Who’s he trying to hide me from?His precious Adalene and her perfect little friend group?
The man I know to be McCrae’s younger brother steps into view, a silver pistol glittering in his hand. It should terrify me, but instead, it only sends electricity scorching through my veins—am I really that scary?“Who…” Augustus starts, but I huff, unable to contain my complete irritation that I know who he is and yet no one here’s bothered to tell him about me.
I snap my gaze back to Mateo, snarling, “Are you going to let this brute threaten your sister with a fucking gun, Mateo? Really?”
They shush me in the same breath, and it only makes me want to scream louder.Does no one care about me? About my feelings?
“I don’t know who the fuck you are, seeing as I’ve never met you. Besides, you’re here in the middle of the fucking night, with a man I do not trust.” Augustus’ words are laced with venom, but I barely notice—the only thing I can think about is his implication of distrusting his brother, and how that must make McCrae feel.
He’ll resent me for that—I know I would.Tears sit hotly behind my eyes, but I blink them away.
If he wants to be a big, tough guy and cut me down, I’m not going to fight him. I’m not afraid of dying; I stopped fearing death long ago. I square my shoulders, giving him a bigger target and flashing a smile through the darkness.
A snarl rips across his dark features, but Mateo steps between us, looking over my shoulder at McCrae, who hasn’t made a single move to intervene. Should I be hurt? Grateful?Who’s side is he on anyways?
“McCrae, care to jump in here?” Mateo growls while grabbing my arm and twisting me away from Augustus. As he does, my eyes find McCrae’s as they flick between me and his little brother. Something shrivels up and dies at the sight of his warring features.
I’ll never be first for anyone.
“You can’t answer any of my phone calls for weeks, and then you show up here in the middle of the night? You couldn’t even be bothered to show up when Dale was missing, but now, the drive isn’t too far? What the fuck is going on, V?”
Mateo’s words snap me out of my haze, and for a second, I turn to him, desperation filling my heart; desperation to be chosen, to be enough even for my own brother. But I’m met with a hard glare so similar to our father’s, ice fills my veins.
I rip my arm from his grip and step back. “What are you doing here, Mateo? You don’t fucking belong.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“I agree,” McCrae grumbles behind me, and I feel my control slipping. That’s all I am to everyone—a ridiculous, exaggerating, venomous bitch who does nothing but cause problems.
“Why haven’t you answered my phone calls?” Mateo asks again, his voice seeming to tremble. But I’m done trying, with him or anyone.
