Page 123 of The Road Less Traveled By

— ICE CREAM MAN BY RAYE

It has officially becomea party in my house as we all congregate in my living room.

All the pictures have been taken down and stored where I can’t see them, thanks to Nico and the work of his people.

Liv hasn't left my side as we sit on the couch, her rubbing circles on my back to comfort me. Tristan is standing with Nico and Vince, no doubt trying to pretend he has any sway in the decisions to be made about my security. He’ll try his best, though, citing that as my only brother, he knows what’s best for me.

He’s too sweet.

Teags has been silently brewing across from Liv and I on the floor. She has barely said a word, and I can practically feel the anger rolling off her. I’m not sure what she’s angry at—Ralph, the situation, Tristan, or all of it.

Until Ralph is arrested again, I’ll never be safe. The people around me will never be safe.

This is all my fault. I know that, earlier, I told Vince it wasn't his fault, and I stand bythat. It’smyfault. The reason they’re all here is because of me.

“How the fuck didn't you catch that? Your entire job is security, Nico!”

“I caught it, just not immediately. It was sophisticated, Vince. I’d try to explain it to you, but you’re too irrational right now,” Nico argues back with him. I hate seeing us like this. It’s way too tense in here, and everyone is going to start blowing up at one another soon if we don't think of a plan.

“I’m not fucking irrational. I’m pissed! My guys are all being treated because they weregassedby this fucker, and you’re telling me you have no idea how he was able to hack your system and loop the feed?”

Nico runs a hand through his hair before he fixes his suit. “I’mworkingon it. It’s going to take a bit because we’re also reinforcing our fucking firewalls. You have every right to be pissed at me, but take a fucking breath.”

“Don’t fucking say that to me. What the hell are you going to do about Bree’s security? I’m down half my men.”

“I’m fixing it, Vince. More than one person will watch the cameras for anything suspicious, and I’ve called in more men for you while the others rest and heal.”

“That’s not fucking good enough!” Vince yells, and the entire room goes quiet. “Bree doesn't feel safe, and my job is to make sure she is, so we need to figure out a fucking plan!”

“You’re not the only one who cares about her, Vince. This entire room is full of people dedicated to keeping her safe!” Nico shouts back at him. “We can do that if you stop fucking yelling!”

“I say let him yell. Vince has spent too long being broody and uptight. This is probably helping,” Teags says, her gaze moving to Tristan. “Sometimes, you just need to yell out your feelings.”

“Teags, don’t. We’re focused on Bree right now, not the fact that you’re throwing your life away for some boy you barely fucking know.”

“Did you hear that?” Teags says as she gets in her brother's face. “You saidmylife, soyoushould stop fucking worrying about it so much.”

“Teags—” Liv says, only to be cut off by Vince.

“Can you guys chill out with the family squabble, right now? We have bigger things to worry about.”

“Guys—” I say, and the four of them—Nico, Vince, Teags, and Tristan—start arguing in circles with one another. God, this is a mess. Nothing is going to get solved if we don’t stop yelling at one another.

This is exactly what he wants. He wants everyone I love to turn on one another so when he comes for me, we'll be disorganized.

“Enough!” I yell as I stand up, and the four of them quiet down as my anger comes back in full force. “All of you need to sit down and listen to me, because I’m done being a bystander in my own life while you make choices for me.” I wait for them to sit before starting again. “I’m not going to a hotel, and I’m not leaving my house.”

The five of them raise their arms to interrupt me, but I shoot them all a look.

“This is my fucking life. I feel safest in my own home, the one I bought with my own fucking money and that you two,” I look to Vince and Nico, “know how to guard best.”

“But—”

I cut Vince off. “No. There are cameras here, a state-of-the-art security system, and men all over the place. Plus, you practically live in my bedroom, so if anyone was to get pastallof that, they wouldn't get past you. Isn't that what you said to me the first night you came back, Vince?”

He nods at me, a glint in his eyes. I can’t tell if it’s pride or something different. “I did say that.”

“Exactly. It’s my fucking decision, and I’m staying here.” I look over at Nico. “It’s not your fault. Ralph’s gotten smarter since he got out. None of us could have seen this coming, and the only person to blame is the person who has been fucking up my life for five years.”

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