Page 81 of Contentious

“They said critical condition?” Corbin asked.

“Yes.”

When Kate broke down, Corbin put his arm around her and helped her into a chair. “This can’t be happening,” she said. “We can’t lose him.”

Kaidan sat next to Kate and hugged her from the other side. “He’s young, healthy and strong.”

Kate nodded as she used a tissue to mop up her tears.

Julian stared at his parents, his father’s arm around his mother as he spoke softly to her, comforting her even as his own heart broke. Emotion churned through him, threatening to boil over. He stood and walked toward the door, desperately needing some air.

Isla followed him. “What can I do?”

Julian shook his head. “There’s nothing anyone can do but pray at this point.”

“Already doing that.”

“Thanks, honey.”

“Would a hug help?”

It wouldn’t, but she needed to do something, and he needed to let her. “Yeah.”

She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight.

Normally, holding her was his favorite thing, but not knowing if Carson would live or die was unbearable, and even Isla couldn’t soothe the ache inside him while waiting to hear the fate of his brother, closest friend and life-long confidant.

Distance had crept into his relationship with Carson since he’d started seeing Isla. If they got lucky and Carson survived, Julian vowed to bridge that gap, to get back on track, to get past the differences that’d divided them in recent weeks.

“I need to talk to Cresley.”

“Okay.”

He took Isla’s hand as they walked back inside.

Cresley’s face was red and swollen from crying. Her little boy was asleep in her arms as Marlene sat next to them, absorbed in her phone.

“The LAPD found Marlon’s truck a few blocks from Cresley’s house, packed full of clothes, food and other belongings,” Marlene said. “They think he was living in the truck. The front end was smashed in from when he intentionally ran into Carson’s SUV earlier.”

“What?” Griffin asked. “He hit Carson? When?”

“Earlier today,” Cresley said in a flat, shocked tone of voice. “He hit us when we were at a light, pushed us into oncoming traffic, where we were hit a second time. Carson’s Range Rover was smashed up pretty badly.”

“Is this why he took a leave from work?”

Cresley nodded. “Marlon left the scene and went to Ty’s school to try to sign him out. Fortunately, the school staff called me and then the police. After both those things, he wanted to stay close to me and Ty until Marlon was found. This is all my fault.” Tears slid down her cheeks. “I should’ve just given Marlon the money and made him go away. And now Carson…” She choked on a sob. “I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t make it.”

“It’s not your fault, Cresley,” Julian said. “Carson wouldn’t want you to feel that way. He’s the most ridiculously stubborn person and does exactly what he wants, when he wants. If he was determined to protect you and Ty, there was nothing in this world that could’ve kept him from doing just that.”

“That’s good to know,” she said, swiping away tears. “He’s become… He’s important to us.”

Julian was intrigued by the way Cresley spoke of his brother. “I think it works both ways, or he never would’ve encouraged you to dump me and our firm.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. It’s fine. Well, my dad isn’t happy about it, but he’ll get over it.”

“I’ve caused so much trouble for him. Maybe I should go.”