“Not intentionally, but your…” He searches for a way to say asshole that won’t get him killed. “Aloof demeanor might make him upset.”
“I’ll be nice.” He tilts his head like he doesn’t believe me. “What? I can be nice.”
“Sure.” He chuckles.
“You said Rory told me to fuck offtoo. Why?”
Brendan sighs and leans back in his chair. “Because he found out that I hired a mob boss to avenge his attack, and he thinks I think he’s stupid and wouldn’t figure it out.”
“Rory’s not stupid,” I growl.
“That’s what I said, and he’s too sweet to want revenge.”
“Did he call the attacks off?” I’ll just ruin Chad’s life and say it was suicide.
“Nope.” Brendan smiles.
“Good.”
16
RORY
“Can you believe this shit? He doesn’t call for years after he banished you, and now that she’s sick…” Brendan runs his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
“It’s okay. Mom needs you.”
“Yeah, but she didn’t stand up for you. She just let that dick kick you out of ‘his house,’ not our family home.”
My heart breaks a little at the memory of the look on her face when we both left. She was so upset, but there was nothing she could do.
“You know she couldn’t disobey Dad like that. She was raised to believe that the husband is the head of the household.”
“Toxic masculinity more like it.” He scoffs. “And I’m not staying long. Just enough time to get things settled.”
“I know.”
He must notice my nerves. “I could take you with me, and you can stay in a hotel.”
“No, it’s fine. I need to get over my fear of being alone.” I’m such a baby.
“Hey, no.” Brendan kneels in front of me. “Your fear is real, and it’s reasonable. You don’t need to be brave or suck it up. You can be needy and clingy. It’s your right.”
“I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re a survivor and a fighter, but it’s okay to lean on someone.”
I nod, but I don’t believe his words.
“It’s okay. Really. We have cameras and locks on all the windows and doors, not to mention the alarm system.”
“Don’t forget about your taser or your pepper spray.”
“I’ll keep them on my nightstand.”
Brendan really looks at me now like he’s trying to read my emotions in my eyes. “Maybe I shouldn’t go.”
“You should go. Mom needs you.”
