“When’d it start?”
“Depends on what you mean by start.” I shrug.
I can feel Zeke step closer to me. “Let me clear it up: when’s the first time you fucked our sister?”
I grimace as I pick at my nails. “I was given her phone to take back to her after she got out of the hospital.”
I watch Z’s face transition from shock to rage. “So you took advantage of her when she was vulnerable.”
It actually makes me laugh. “Have you actually met her?” I ask him. “I’m positive thatvulnerableandeasily taken advantageof aren’t things that anyone has ever thought about her. I mean, fuck the ones who thought she wasnaive, knew they’d have to drug her first.” Tilting my head.
“He’s kind of right about that.” Zeke says quietly.
Z glances at his brother with a scowl. “Why’d it end?”
This is the question I don’t want to answer. I know they won’t like it.
“Eli, why is my sister pissed at you?”
“Because I left her in a rental house in Topanga Canyon.” I don’t need to look at them to know the expression with which they’re looking at me. “I had no intention of leaving when we got there or when we went to sleep. Or even when I woke up and was called in early.”
“Then why did you?”
“There are a few reasons, but all of them have to do with them not telling me until I got in that they had your warrant.”
I watch him as his eyes drift to the side.
“I got called in, and had every intention of going back when I was done. But I get there, they rush me because it took me so long to get there.” I pause, shaking my head. “Now all of myworlds are colliding. I’m looking at who was my best friend for most of my life in the backseat of the car after I just spentyet anothernight with his sister, and I know it’s a matter of time. There’s something in me that knew it was about to get bad soon. It’s like I could sense what I’d been waiting for, my entire purpose, was quickly coming to a head.” I pause, looking around. “Either I was going to end up arrested or die protecting the club. And even knowing all of that, I was still trying to figure out a way to get you out of it. I knew somehow she’d get caught in the middle of things, and I didn’t want to put her in danger.” Pausing before I look up again. “And then you said what you said.”
“What’d I say?”
“She needed to stay as far away from this as possible. And if I’m being honest, I was watching you sacrificing everything to keep Tate safe and…”
I’m glad when he lets the sentence trail off.
“Why didn’t you tell her that?”
“I wouldn’t have been able to look or even hear her voice and be able to do it. I just had to leave. I knew if I left, if I didn’t answer my phone, if I cut her out, she’d be too proud to show up and demand answers. Plus, it seemed easier than having our relationship come out, and this.” I motion in front of me.
Zeke’s phone buzzes next to me before he answers it, stepping out of the room.
Z continues to stare at me, sighing. “I want to be mad at you.”
I slowly nod my head, understanding.
“But I hate how I get it. It took me a long time to realize that I can try to protect them from a lot of stuff. But they get to make their choice.” He sighs, shaking his head. “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
The question stuns me as I just stare at him, unable to figure out exactly what to say. I’m not sure why I wasn’t prepared for him to ask that. Or why it’s been a year and I’m still stuck on her.
“Guys, they’ve got something.” Zeke pops his head into the office, looking at us.
“Let’s go.” Z nods at us before we’re moving back out of the gym. “You’re with me.” He taps my chest with the back of his hand as he moves towards the van.
We’re pulling out of the compound when I look over at him. “I’m taking you trust me now?”
“I’m still working on that; however, I do trust that you’ll do anything to protect her.”
I can’t help but tilt my head as he comes to a pause at the stop sign before turning onto the highway. “Does that mean you’re okay with it?”
