“Um…yeah?”
“To Pope Cassidy. One of the wealthiest and scariest dudes in all of Vegas.”
“Yes, and…”
"Do you really want me to believe that you've been dating Pope in secret and just decided to get married?"
I start to speak but no sound comes out so I close my mouth. There is an easy lie on the tip of my tongue, one I have kept to placate my family and shield them from any guilt but one look at my brother’s eyes and I can tell he’s not going to buy it this time. “Look, Jude—”
Suddenly, his arms around mine, his head on my shoulder. I’ve never known Jude to be a hugger—something to do with teenagers being allergic to those—which makes the moment even more surprising. “I don’t know how you got into this situation, but I know you did it for me,” he whispers into my shoulder, his voice heavy with emotion. “I saw the bills in mom’s room. She thinks putting things in the bottom drawer is hiding them but I saw the medical bills, debt in the tens of thousands and…” his voice comes off strangled but he clears it off. “I don’t like that I am putting so much burden on you and mom. I mean, what’s the point of living—”
“Don't!” I hiss, grabbing my brother's shoulders and pushing him back so my eyes are on his. Some of the venom dies when I find his eyes wet. "Don't even think about it," I say, softly this time. “You are not a burden, Jude. This sickness could happen to anyone. Are you going to tell me that you would have let me or Mom give up if one of us fell sick?”
“But–”
“Answer me.”
“No,” he deflates.
“So, no, you're not a burden and Pope…well, maybe I did tell a little white lie, but I…”
“You love him,” he says, reading me perfectly. “And he loves you too. I saw it at the engagement party," he adds before I can argue his point. “When he wasn’t watching me to make sure I didn’t get sick and fall over, his eyes were on you. He smiledwhen you smiled and frowned when you did. He looks at you the way Dad looked at Mom.”
I flush at the image, feeling giddy at the prospect of Pope returning my affection. “He makes me happy.”
“I know,” he says, wiping his tears. “You look the happiest when you’re with him. And Mom’s noticed it too. She’s happy you have him now, we both are.”
“Good, now let’s table this. Mom doesn’t need to know about this, okay?”
“She’ll figure it out someday,” he warns. “But until then, my lips are sealed. I just want you to know that when I get better and start working, I’m going to pay Pope back every penny we owe him.”
“Pope will not accept your money, Jude. This is not a loan.”
“But—”
“Just think of this as a fresh start, a second lease on life,” I offer, patting his cheek. “You have the best doctors money can buy and you don't have to worry about mom and me or feel guilty about anything. Just live your life and be healthy, that is the only way you can thank us.”
I see the tears well back in his eyes but he tosses his head back and blinks them back. “Okay,” he chokes out. “I need to stop crying. Can’t walk you down the aisle tomorrow with bags under my eyes.”
“Good idea,” I laugh, pulling him back into another embrace and if I cry a little too, it’s only fair after everything we’ve been through.
My chest is lighter as we go our separate ways to bed. Even lighter as I get ready for bed, placing a hand over my belly andbiting down a smile. Another little white lie I’m keeping from my family but I couldn't tell them the pregnancy news before I tell Pope and I'm hoping to do so on our wedding night. I can’t wait to see his face when I break the news. Will he be shocked? Happy?
I’m giggling when I slip into bed, tempted to call Pope just to hear his voice but decide against it. I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist it this time if he offers to come over and see me. No, we have to wait until tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
I close my eyes with a happy smile on my lips, slowly slipping into the dark but I'm barely in it when something wakes me up. I start to groan then my eyes snap open when I realize that I can’t make a sound or open my mouth…
“Sshh!” a voice hisses in the dark, seconds before I see the black and silver of a gun pointed at my face. I stare at the barrel, my chest heaving as panic floods me. Is this a robbery? Christ, on the night before my wedding?
Oh my God.
Mom and Jude!
I start to thrash on the bed, trying to dislodge the hand on my mouth but it only grips me harder. My eyes meet cold, dark eyes in the dark, face hidden by a black mask. “I swear to God, if you don't shut the fuck up, I am going to plant a bullet in your skull!" The voice is menacing enough that I don’t take his words for a bluff so I go still. “Now, I want you to get out of bed and follow me. If you don’t come quietly, I will shoot you then kill the rest of your family.”
They’re alive.
