Page 72 of Blood Money

Carter shakes his head. “Whatever you say, babe. My issue isn’t with her, it’s with him.” He points to Cyrus.

“Stop being such a little bitch, Carter,” I finally interject.

After hearing the full story of how shit went down and why Cyrus did the things he did, I understand. If it was me, I probably wouldn’t have come back either, and hearing Carter speak to him like he’s trash pisses me off.

Maybe it’s all of those bottled-up feelings finally spilling out, but I find myself wanting to stand up for Cyrus. He did what he thought was best, just like Lydia did what she thought was best by fucking Malcolm, and Carter did what he thought was best by fucking killing him. We all make mistakes, and we all fuck up, but you can’t expect someone to pay for it their entire lives.

“We get it. He left and made you face your dad alone, but you got through it. Did you ever stop to think about the shit he’s been through while he was gone?” When he stays silent, I continue. “I understand him being back is a fucking shock, but right now, if we don’t do something, there is a possibility you’ll never get the chance to fix shit with him. So, either offer some fucking help, or shut the fuck up.”

Carter lets out a laugh. “Damn, Carmen. I really forgot how much of a bitch you are.” With that, he turns on his heel and leaves the room.

When I turn back to Cyrus and Lydia, their eyes are glued to me with shock. “What? No one else was going to say it, so I did. Hate me later because right now, there is more important shit to worry about.”

They both stay silent for a beat, like they’re scared to say the wrong thing. Finally, Cyrus pries his stare from me and looks at Lydia. “Can you keep Tiny for a while?”

Lydia scrunches her face, then turns to him. “What do you expect me to do with a horse?”

“Yes or no, Lydia?” I deadpan.

I get she’s trying to lighten the mood the only way she knows how, with stupid fucking jokes, but now isn’t the time.

“Sorry.” She holds up her hands. “Yeah, I’ll keep him, I guess. But I expect you to come back for him when everything is said and done.”

Cyrus nods. “I’ll be back for more than Tiny. I’m going to fix this shit with Carter too.”

Lydia doesn’t look so sure. She bites her lip and wraps her arms around her. “I’m not sure things can be fixed.”

“Everything can always be fixed,” I reply.

Her eyes move to mine, and I can see all of the questions she won’t ask swimming in them. “Be careful, okay?”

I give her the most genuine smile I can just to ease her worry. “I’m always careful.”

And it’s true. I am, or I was… until I wasn’t.

“911 if you need me, okay?”

Nodding, I give her a quick hug. “Love you, bitch.”

“Love you.”

I let go of her and make my way back to the door and grab the key to my Bentley, hoping like hell this all works out. When her dad died and an entire year passed without me seeing her, I was gutted. I don’t even want to imagine how she would feel if something happened to me.

Shaking the thoughts away, I pull open the door. I can feel Cyrus behind me, and that brings me a shred of hope. Before, I feared death, but right now, he walks beside me.

---