Page 70 of The Photograph

“Where’s your stuff?”

“Packed and in storage.”

When she grunts and starts pacing, I step before her and wrap my hands around her shoulders. “Cara?” There’s pain in her eyes, and my chest tightens.

It’s my turn to be strong.I cup her face. “It’s going to be okay. I’ll—”

She hooks her narrowed eyes onto mine. “Get it back. All of it. We’re not going anywhere. You’re not going anywhere. I told the piece of shit.”

I look at my strong, fierce sister. My hero. “How do you know Gabe?”

When her breath hitches, I pull her to the couch.

“I went to see him yesterday.”

So, that’s where the Chanel box went.I should have known.“Why?”

My sister sighs. “To beat the crap out of him.” When I gasp, she twists her mouth. “But I just gave him back his stupid gifts and told him to stay away from us and that we’re not moving.”

Her chin trembles, and anger flushes my face.

“Did he threaten you?”

Tears fill her eyes. “No. But Mitch was there.”

Oh.I frame her scrunched up face. “And how was that?”

I get my answer when she wraps her arms around my waist, so I hold her tight. I’ve always liked Mitch. A lot, but…

My heart cracks a little at her sniffle. “I can’t believe he’s related to that asshole.”

Me neither.I kiss her hair. “Do I have to start hating Mitch?”

Another sniffle strangles her small chuckle. “No, you can like him. He told me he had nothing to do with what his evil asshole of a brother did to you.”

“And do you believe him?”

“Yeah. I do,” she whispers.

Oh, good.I grin at her. “Phew. Thank God because I really like him. Always have.” And that’s the affection Gabe saw in the picture.

My hand finds hers. “My Cara, I’m going to meet with Gabe.”

As she shakes her head, I squeeze her retreating hand and take a deep breath. “There’re a couple of things I want to clarify and also…” How do I say this? “…what I shared with him was important to me and I need … closure, I guess.”

Her brows knit. “I’ll go with you—”

I cup her face. “No, I need to do this on my own.”

“Angel, he treated you like—”

“I know, my Cara, but I want to talk to him.”

My heartbeat fast, I wait and when she nods, I release a breath, hug her tight before I get on my feet. “Can you drive me for my follow up appointment with Dr. Nareen?”

Cara jumps off the couch with a shriek. “What time’s your appointment?”

After a quick glance at the lonely clock on the wall, I grin at my sister. “In an hour.”

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