Page 72 of Hooked on Trouble

That’s a hard no. This will be the biggest test of our relationship. Not Aspen. Not letting him back into my life. This. Here. Right now. An X-ray of his heart. Does he love me enough to bend his rules for my family?

Wishing on a wishing star, I say, “I need your help.”

He eases a hand out of my grasp and palms my cheek, lifting my gaze. “Babe, anything. You know I’d do anything.” When I nearly sever my lip, he frowns. “Now you’re worrying me. What’s wrong?”

I swallow what little saliva I have. “Rose is in trouble.”

His eyes dart to her room, then settle on me. “Trouble how?”

“I don’t know exactly. Some guy was arrested, and he’s implicated her and some others to catch a break. But she didn’t do what he claims and she freaked and moved out because she didn’t want to drag me into it, but she’s in a real jam and asked for my help, and she’s my sister and I couldn’t say no, so I told her I’d”—I suck in a breath, my ramble not helping my cause—“I told her I’d be her alibi.”

He works his jaw, shadows casting below his cheekbones from the tension. He drops my hand. “Telling her you’d do it implies it’s a lie.”

“It isn’t the truth.” My voice squeaks.

“So it’s a lie.” His voice hardens with each word.

“But she’s innocent.”

“How do you know?”

“Because she promised. He’s just a crackhead, tossing out random names to save his neck.”

An eerie quiet expands between us. “What do you mean crackhead? What has Rose done?”

Shit. Drugs. Shitshitshit. So worried about Rose and the alibi, I didn’t connect the dots. Didn’t stop to think about how this would look to Nico. It’s the exact thing he worried about after reading my record. And I promised him all that drama was in my past. I open my mouth and close it. Nothing comes out.

“What is she charged with?” he asks again, accusation edging his tone.

There’s no easing this blow. “Selling crack.”

Nico’s face purples, the veins along his neck pulling tight. He turns away from me and grips the kitchen counter. “Fuck.” His ragged breaths sound animal, like a caged bull waiting to buck its rider. He doesn’t even look at me. “Nikki and Colin were here. In this apartment. They met Rose. In this apartment. Do you know how dangerous that is for my sister? How reckless of you?”

Oh God. If Rose is lying, he’s right. It would mean I’d broken Nico’s trust in the most hurtful way. Put Nikki at risk. But she can’t be lying. She just can’t. Lying means I am nothing to my sister. “Whatever Rose did in her past, it’s just that—the past. She swore she’s not involved.”

He slams his fist on the counter, then flips around. “Jesus, Raven. She’s feeding you crap. I told you not to trust her. Not to let her into your life. I knew she’d pull something on you.”

He’s made his feelings clear about Rose, but he doesn’t know her like I do, and his tone sets my hackles up. “She’s my sister. I would know if she were lying. I owe her.”

“No. You believe her lies because she’s your sister. You’re blind where she’s concerned. She’s not the same person she was. She’s playing you. Using your guilt.”

“What about Josh? He could’ve played you, too. But he deserves his second chance. They’re not so different.”

He steps so close and speaks so low, it’s almost intimidating. “Don’t ever compare Rose to Josh. I raised my brother. I know him. And if you think he could pull one over on me, you don’t know me as well as I thought you did.”

My blood simmers at his insinuation that Rose is beneath Josh, that her transgressions are somehow worse. But yelling at him won’t get the answer I need. I school my face and try again. “I told Rose I’d vouch for her, that I’d tell the cops we were together last night. I just need you to let it slide. Not say anything.”

I hold my breath as he squints then frowns and shakes his head. When what I’m asking sinks in, his eyes storm. “Last night?”

I nod and reach a hand toward him. “Please,” I whisper. “If I don’t do this, I lose her. It’s just a statement. No big deal.”

He curls his lip at my outstretched hand. “Lying to the cops is no big deal?” When I stay silent, he starts wearing a path on the carpet. “This is my job, Raven. This is what I do. Saying yes to her is as good as spitting in my face.”

“It’s not like that.”

He stops and jabs a finger toward me. “It’s exactly like that. And you think I’ll go along with it? That I’ll turn a blind eye?” His face contorts, disappointment shaping his rage. “I’ve never been as open with a woman as I have been with you. You’ve seen me with Tim. With my family. I’ve told you about my father and how hard I’ve worked to be a better man, and fuck—I even told you I nearly lied for Josh, how disgusted I’ve been with myself. You should know me, Raven. How could you think I’d say yes?”

“I don’t have a choice.”