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Of course, he can’t. It’ll be painful, jarring to say goodbye to yet another person he loves. I could do it for him, but what’s the point?
“I tried once, and he keeps breaking himself,” I say before clamping my mouth shut. I’ve just revealed that I’ve followed Brahms’s career and his reckless stunts all these years.
It’s not like I care, but everyone is always talking about Brahms Ehrenberg. He’s on the cover of magazines, on social media, and . . . it’s impossible not to know that he’s a self-destructive addict.
“This might be his only chance,” Ellington presses, and the urgency in his voice squeezes my heart.
Just then, Blythe comes running over. “What in the world are you doing, Seraphina? We need this money desperately, or we’ll lose the center.”
“I’m saving your place,” Ellington reminds me. “Now, please, help me save Brahms. Zane would’ve wanted that.”
“Ellie,” I gasp because that’s a low blow. How dare he use my dead brother to ask for this?
Blythe looks between us, bewildered. “Do you two know each other?”
I take a shaky breath, glaring at Ellington. And in one single breath, I say, “Brahms Ehrenberg is the man who killed my siblings.”
“Your siblings?” Blythe stammers in confusion.
Ellie steps back as if I had punched him in the chest. “I understand your pain, but he’s still my brother. Please, if you can find it in your?—”
“How could you forgive him?” I demand, cruelty and rage warring inside me. “He fucking killed Zane.”
My voice rises to a yell. “How can you live with that?” I pause, not sure if it’s to take in some air or to wait for him to give me an excuse for why he’s trying to save the man who killed Zane and Iris.
Ellington doesn’t say a word, though.
“The answer is no,” I say firmly. “I won’t help him.”
I’m shaking with anger and pain.
Ellington’s jaw twitches, but he remains calm. “Because that’s what Zane would’ve wanted you to do,” he says firmly. “There’s nothing to forgive but know that I did what I had to because they both would’ve wanted me to protect you. Things just got out of hand.”
His commanding tone only enrages me more. I step closer, jabbing a finger at his chest. “Protect me? Don’t pretend any of this is for my sake.”
Ellington points toward the house. “I’m going to ensure that my brother settles comfortably. You’re going to be a professional and do your fucking job.” He steps closer, his voice tight. “We’ve sacrificed a lot for you. Now, I need you to pay that back by saving my brother.”
I stare at him in bewilderment.
Sacrifices?
What is he talking about?
All they did was protect Brahms, so he wouldn’t go to jail after murdering my family. He’s never been accountable for his actions, and now Ellie wants me to be thankful? I don’t think so.
Before I can respond, he continues sternly, “You’ll be professional and do your best to ensure Brahms heals physically and mentally. Do you understand?”
I’m struck speechless by this commanding, assertive side of Ellington I’ve never seen before. I don’t understand why he forgave Brahms though.
I glance at Blythe and see her own conflict: she wants to beg me to work with Brahms for the money, but also clearly wants to defend me from this outrage.
I look up at the sky, wondering if this is truly what Zane would want—for me to help the friend who took his life. I close my eyes and can see them—Brahms and Zane so clearly, playing through the property or in the music room, practicing. They were always laughing together.
Zane loved Brahms and would do anything for him. He probably forgave him already, didn’t he? In fact, I can almost hear him say, “You have to do the right thing for him. He needs you, Fifi. Do it for our best friend, not the man you hate.”
“Let me think about it,” I whisper. “I won’t forgive him, but I might be willing to do it. If I accept, we’ll add a fourth staff member to the roster, though, and the price has doubled.”
Ellington’s eyes narrow at my demand, his mouth pressing into a thin, disapproving line. He crosses his arms over his chest, and I can see tension ripple across his shoulders. I almost grin, knowing he’s going to walk away and find another place for his brother. Luckily, we have a clause in our contract that stipulates that if they leave earlier because the patient didn’t like the services, we get to keep the money they’ve already paid.
