Page 354 of Wicked Brutal

Walter takes a moment. “He reached for her.”

“What do you mean?” Arthur asks, not letting it pass.

“When Tobias was a baby, if Ally walked into the room, he’d reach for her. Both arms out. Didn’t matter who was holding him.”

“Even Jane?”

“Even Jane.” A sad smile touches his mouth. “Jane used to laugh about it. She’d be holding her own baby, and Ally would walk past, and he’d start twisting around trying to get to her. Jane would say, ‘Apparently I’m chopped liver,’ and hand him over.” I remember that. God, I remember that — Mom pretending to be wounded while Tobias buried his face in my neck. “Ally took him every time.”

“Did that change when he got older?”

“No. He followed her everywhere once he could walk. Little shadow.” I wipe under my eye. “If he fell, sometimes he’d go to Jane. Sometimes he’d run right past her to Ally.”

“And Jane’s reaction?”

“She was never threatened by it. She knew.” Walter’s voice roughens. “She knew Ally was one of Tobias’s people.”

Arthur lets that sit. “Did you ever get the sense Alison resented it?”

“No.”

“Did she ever get annoyed with him?”

Walter almost smiles. “Of course she did. He’s her little brother. I’ve heard her tell him to get out of her room.”

A tiny, wet laugh escapes me. Thank God — somebody finally says something normal.

“But?”

“But if he came back five minutes later crying, she opened the door.” His eyes find mine. “She always opened the door.”

Arthur steps closer. “Let’s talk about now. Alison and Tobias live in your home. What does that arrangement look like?”

“They live there. It’s their home.”

“Temporarily? Are they guests?”

“No.” His answer is flat and immediate. “Our house is their home for as long as they need it or want it. Both of them have their own room.”

“Is their ability to stay dependent on Alison continuing a relationship with Ryan?”

“No.”

Behind me, Ryan shifts.

“If Alison and Ryan broke up tomorrow?”

“They’d still have a home. For as long as they needed one.”

I look down before Walter can see me cry again.

“What financial support are you prepared to provide?”

“Whatever she needs.” Arthur just waits, and Walter knows him well enough now to elaborate. “Food. Clothing. School. Transportation. Medical. Whatever Tobias needs. Childcare.” His eyes move to my stomach. “And when the baby comes, we help with the baby too.”

“Her education?”

“She finishes high school.” No hesitation. “After that — if she wants college, we help make it happen. If she wants to work, we help with childcare. If she needs time with the baby first, she takes it.”