Olivia opened her mouth, but Mikey didn’t let her talk. “You gotta understand, Sis. If any of the bastards I’ve helped put away ever found out who I really was, and that you existed...they’d use you to get to me in a heartbeat.” He looked away for just a second before turning back to her. “It would have crushed me if that ever happened, but Jake? Something like that would fucking destroy him. I knew that, so I used it. I used his need to protect you, and his feelings for you against him to ensure his silence.”
Olivia stared at him, letting the meaning of his words sink in. “But we weren’t...until recently Jake and I had never even—”
“It didn’t matter.” Mikey cut her off with a headshake. “I knew how he felt. And for the record, theonlyreason he’d kept his hands off you when we were younger, was because in high school, I told him I’d kill him if he ever touched you.”
Olivia’s eyes widened. “You did not.”
He looked unapologetic. “I was your big brother. It’s what we do.” He glanced away before looking back at her again, his expression serious. “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. Jake and I, we never wanted you touched by our world. I didn’t want you to know about the things we’ve been forced to do. Didn’t want you to ever truly know the evil that exists out there.”
Olivia couldn’t help it. She laughed, thinking of everything she’d been through and how it had absolutely nothing to do with his or Jake’s professions.
“Hell of a lot of good that did, huh?”
Mikey smiled back. “Trouble always did seem to find you. Looks like some things never change.” His smile faded. “You know, I used to think there’d never be a guy good enough for you, but Jake loves you, Junebug. I know you’re pissed, but that man out there would do anything in the world for you. Even risk everything you two have by lying to you, if that’s what it took to keep you safe. He loves youthatmuch.”
She shook her head. “He couldn’t love me and lie to me. Not about you.”
“Damn it, woman! You are still as stubborn as a fucking mule. Did you not hear a word I just said? He lied to you toprotectyou, Sis.” He put his other hand on top of hers. “Take it from someone who’s missed out on that part of life. I’ve seen the way Jake looks when he talks about you. The way he was looking at you when you walked in here and slammed the door like a little brat.”
Olivia’s mouth dropped open. “I am not a brat!”
Mikey smirked again, but continued on, “The poor guy looked like he’d just lost his entire world. Almost made me feel bad for clocking him like I did.”
Her mouth opened even wider. “Youhithim?”
“I’m your big brother, and I’d just found out he was boinking you. What was I supposed to do?”
She slapped his upper arm. “Boinking? Really? And you didn’t have to hit him. I’m a grown ass woman and can sleep with whomever I want. You don’t see me going around and bitch slapping all of the women you’ve—” She cut herself off.
With an understanding smile, Mike simply waited.
“Right. Never mind.”
Olivia couldn’t believe how easily it was for them to fall back into the playful sibling rivalry they’d always had, even after all these years. It was...weird. And wonderful.
Her heart was so conflicted. Happy, yet broken, all at the same time.
“Look, Liv. All I’m saying, is you need to forgive him. Try to understand that Jake did what he did, because he loves you more than anything in the world. He’ddieto protect you.”
Not ready to even consider hopping on the forgiveness train, yet, Olivia abruptly changed the subject.
“When do you have to go back?”
Mike checked his watch and sighed. “Soon.”
“Well, then. I guess we should make the most of our time. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
Mike put his arm around Olivia’s shoulders and pulled her to him. He kissed the top of her head. “That we do.”
Olivia turned and wrapped her arms around her brother’s wide chest, pulling him in for a hug.
“I’ve missed you so much. God, I love you. You big jerk.”
Her bottom lip quivered as she cherished the feel of her brother’s embrace. She didn’t even try not to cry.
“Ah, I love you, too, Junebug,” Mike said, squeezing her back. “Not a single day has gone by that I haven’t thought about you.”
“Me, neither,” Olivia choked out, her tears soaking the front of his shirt.
