Page 2 of Cruel Revenge

And yes, I was the one picking up the slack when we lost our parents, I was the one picking up the pieces. But he was there too.

For once, why can’t I just live my life?

I sigh.

Love, marriage, kids? That’s never in the cards for me, not with me being who I am. Not with me having to hide the true me from the world.

No person in their right mind would ever want to be with me if they knew.

That doesn’t mean I don’t want to be loved.

But what does it say about you when your own family doesn’t accept you? Doesn’t love you?

No, all I have is myself. And I am enough. I have to be.

Dad wanted me and Aiden to keep the legacy. And though my brother is in charge, I’m the one keeping the business afloat.

But I should not have to also play buffer because people refuse to upset my brother or even talk to him when something unpleasant happens.

I should just go away. For a couple of weeks. Maybe forever. Just leave everything behind. Leave them all to deal with this mess while I take care of my urges.

Instead, I yank on a pair of jeans and a leather jacket. Before I leave my room, I swipe on a layer of matte red lipstick.

Do it. You know you want to. You can feel it now, can’t you? The warmth… The peace… Just go.

No!

I’m stronger than this.

Right?

Bright yellow tapewithDo Not Crosswritten on it is strung from one side of the laundromat to the other, though it’s sagging where the cops keep ducking under it to go inside.

I lean against the wall across the street just around the corner.

The rough edge of the brick bites into my back through the jacket while the wind carries the scent of early morning boiled hot dogs from the little cart a few feet away.

Kalani makes her way toward me, keeping her gaze distant and drifting around her surroundings like she’s out for a walk.

A couple of people in blue jackets pull large cameras out of the back of a truck.

One turns toward me, raising the camera.

I duck behind the corner, patting my jacket pocket for a carton of cigarettes I know won’t be there.

I never should’ve given up smoking. Look what happens when I do.

When I peek back around the corner, Kalani is sitting on the steps of one of the apartment buildings across the street.

I sigh and run a hand over my face before pulling out my phone.

Aiden takes his sweet time answering. “You do realize that it’s barely seven, right? I was sleeping.”

“Yeah, well, we’ve got something going on, and it seems like nobody else has the balls to talk to you.” I duck back around the corner as cops filter out of the laundromat, dragging one of the machines for making change behind them.

“What kind of situation?” His voice is more alert, fabric shuffling in the background. “Is it one of yours?”

Thanks for the faith, brother.

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