“I… couldn’t let that happen. I never thought I’d see a way out, and this was my life — constant leverage, threats, groomed by that piece of shit.” He points at Fred. “But I didn’t want her to ever really get hurt. When I was told to stalk her, I wanted to provoke you, not at first, but then I thought maybe you could be a way out. I didn’t want to do this.” He extends his hand and grips his hair. “I wanted you to put an end to all of this. He had a fixation on Sara, and it all became a lot more personal to him.”
I walk over and crouch down to Fred, close to death but not there yet. I never thought my uncle was a bad man, if anything, I had times I wished he was my dad instead of his brother.
“How’s that little family reunion going for you, Fred? Ready to pay a visit to your piece of shit of a brother?” He can barely keep his eyes open, drifting in and out of agony. I stand up and kick him, earning a scream coming out of his throat that is music to my ears.
I stand and look at Tyler. “You can make those eggs now.” And I don’t miss the held breath he lets out.
We eventually all sit down, Damien, Mateo, Riviera and Tyler. In silence.
“Did you know I was your… brother?” My stare slams into Tyler. I can barely say the word, and Damien nods at me, as to say, ‘breathe.’
His eyes snap up to me, looking at me, the same way I look back at him, seeing if we have any similarities, and Saradefinitely has a type… His dark hair, height, and facial structure are so similar to our father’s.
“No… my God, no. I didn’t. I didn’t even know he wasn’t my real dad. He mentioned he had a brother, but nothing else.” His eyes look down as his jaw ticks.
“You didn’t miss out on anything withourdad.” I tell him, sitting up straight, and place my elbows on the table, preparing myself to ask this question. Fred still silently whimpering in his own pool of blood.
“Tyler… Did he… did he hurt you?”
“Yes, he repetitively hurt me, if you want to call it that.” He pauses, “I’ll let you read between the lines. I can’t bring myself… to s-say how.”
My blood turns to ice and Mateo shifts uncomfortably in his seat. I’m going to throw up. I take another bite of my food, hoping it pushes it all down.
“How old were you when it started?” I ask, easing back into my chair as Damien watches him like a hawk.
“Ten years old…” he hesitantly says, choking on a sob but keeping a strong posture.
I nod in understanding. He was a child. I can’t forgive him for what he’s done to Sara, to us… but I can see when the devil is at your door and not know how to uninvite the somberness it leaves behind.
My father and uncle were very sick men.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and release a breath. “Breakfast is over.”
I offer a reassuring smile to Tyler, grab my gun and walk over to Fred. To ease Tyler’s eyes staring back at me, I say, “he’ll never hurt you again. But I’ll kill you if you ever do anything to Sara.”
And I shoot Fred as his frightened eyes turn… vacant.
When I get home, Fiasco is a little tornado, or a big tornado, clearly, the cafeteria has been good to him. Everyone gives him treats every chance they get. As he spins around me, my heart swells and breaks at the same time… Maybe it’s her dog more than mine.
After setting my keys on the counter, I look for Sara and walk over to my bedroom. She’s there sleeping with my shirt balled up under her chin. I want to crawl to her, make love to her, keep her, but I’m so hurt.
She instantly wakes up. “Liam?”
“It’s all taken care of. You’re safe now. The village is officially your oyster again, and I called your mom, she’ll be home tomorrow.” My voice holds so much anger, and I’m trying to make this easier, but I can’t.
“I promise on everything I am that I will never put you through that terror again, Liam. I haven’t been able to think about anything else,” she says, reaching for my arm, sitting up on the bed, but I put distance between us.
“Sara, I’ve stripped your clothes of acid, I’ve pulled you out of a warehouse and a yacht, twice. But I can’t pull you out of your own self-destruction and blindness to how it made me feel each time.”
“Liam— please.”
“I’m done believing that what we have is enough for you!” She flinches at how loudly I yell at her. I’ve never yelled at her like this, and guilt springs free like vines choking my heart.
“Liam… think about the girls we saved, the families we’ve reunited. Please, Liam… please.”
“I know, baby, I know. I’m so proud of you.” I cup her face and turn around, sliding her suitcase out of the closet and unzipping it.
She storms off the bed, erasing the distance between us as her hands cup my face, I let her. I need her touch, one last time. I love her too much, it hurts.
