Liam waits for me outside the office with a bored expression. My phone buzzes, and when I see the number, I raise my finger.
“I have to take this. Just give me a moment.”
I leave him behind and dash into a small boardroom beside Corm’s office.
I hit my headset to connect the call. “Tee, is everything okay?” I walk toward the window.
“Yes, I just…” My sister hiccups.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” The anxiety shoots through me.
“I just wanted to hear you.” She sniffles.
I can almost see her in her too-pink room, perched on her bed with her legs up on the wall. Sad and alone in the golden cage of our father’s house.
“Did something happen?”
“I asked Papa if I could visit you.”
I close my eyes, leaning my head against the cold glass. It doesn’t freeze the need to call my father and give him a piece of my mind.
Not that it would serve me or Tee.
“He said no.” I don’t even know why I voice it.
“Can you maybe come visit soon?”
Her plea almost breaks my heart. “Tee, I don’t think it’s a good idea, but I will talk to Nico, and he will bring you along on one of his business trips.”
Of our brothers, Nico is the most reasonable one. I think.
“Okay. I didn’t mean to worry you. I just… I feel so alone sometimes.” Her heavy sigh echoes in my head with its desperation and cry for help. Fuck.
I wish she were eighteen already and could leave.But I know if she came to live with me now, our father would call the police.
“Tee, I promise that soon enough, you’ll be able to stay with me. Your birthday is coming up, and I will be able to take care of both of us. Even pay for your college. You just need to hang in there for a few more months.”
I can’t lose this partnership. I can’t afford a mistake. Tee deserves a normal life.
One I got a taste of, and I’m not returning to do my father’s bidding. But I would return if it meant saving Tee.
Let’s hope that scenario is just hypothetical. As soon as I’m a partner here, we’re both free.
“Promise?” The hope in her voice is just as heartbreaking as her desperation before.
“I promise. You stay away from Papa as much as possible. And call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Yes, thank you. And please talk to Nico so I can come visit.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I take a few more breaths before I step out with a smile, like I’ve done so many times before.
My personal life can’t interfere with my professional life.
Deep in my thoughts, I almost bump into someone…thesomeone who’s making my life more difficult at the moment.
