Page 72 of Blood & Lace
I blinked. "I never said you were a burden…"
"You don't have to!" he screamed. "It's on your face. And then you show up less and less?—."
"I know," I whispered, each word like a physical blow to my chest from his lips to my brain. "Things have been busy and I have?—"
"Yeah, I know. A husband. So you've said. And have I met him? Do I get to speak to anyone you know?"
I shuffled from one foot to the other. "You don't like people," I said honestly.
Adam scoffed. "Please, that's not why you don't bring him around. It's because you're embarrassed of me. Your big bro, thefucking recluse. The weirdo. The one that can't even leave his own fucking house."
When his voice cracked, I broke. I shoved into the apartment and wrapped him in a hug. Even when he tried to yank free, I refused to let go. I loved him. I loved him more than I had ever loved myself.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm the worst. I'm so sorry."
"Don't," Adam choked out, his voice cracking. "Don't do that."
"I'm sorry."
Adam was stiff as I held him. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around me. We stood there for a long time, just sitting in that cloud of anger and hurt.
Who really needs who? Clearly I need him more.
It was selfish. Adam probably would have let go ages ago, but I couldn't imagine my life without him. Couldn't stand the thought of not having him in my life. He’s the last fragment of my family that I still gave a fuck about.
"Move in with me," I said for the hundredth time.
"No."
The word was final, as if he didn't even have to think about it. When I pulled back, I stared at him. His face was impassive, but I saw the redness that lined his eyes.
"Why?" I asked.
"You have a life of your own, Louis," he said finally.
My throat worked. “Yeah,” I whispered. “I know.”
"Then stop asking me," he said shortly before he turned away. "Bring the food in. Something's going to crawl into the bag or something."
I nodded and moved mechanically to the door. Grabbing the bags, I let myself inside.
This is why I need to focus. No more distractions. No more games. The mission comes first. Always.
I would make sure of that. For Adam. For myself.
For everyone that was owed justice from the fucked-up world.
19
LUCERO
The fitted suitwas molded to me, and just because I’d caught my husband eyeing me before while wearing one, I handed my phone to one of my brothers. Prince groaned and stared at the device like it was a foreign object. He was one of my younger siblings who tended to act like he was much older than he was.
"What is this for?" my brother asked with clear annoyance.
"Take my picture." I tugged at the sleeves. "It's for my husband."
He squinted at me before sighing. "Doesn't he get enough of seeing you?"
