Page 96 of Wicked Brutal

“He’s my brother.”

“I’ve always—“

“You don’t have to do it by yourself anymore.” Her breath catches. Behind me, Tobias sniffles, and Ally’s eyes immediately fill.

“I need to apologize.”

“You will.” She starts to move. I keep her with me for another second. “Breathe first.”

“Ryan—“

“Once.” She drags in a breath. “Again.” She does. Slower this time. “Good.”

“Ryan?” Tobias’s voice is so small that I feel Ally’s fingers tighten around my wrists. I turn. He’s standing beside the coffee table with tears streaming down his face.

“Yeah, buddy?”

His chin trembles. “Is Ally mad because I asked about Victor?”

“No.”

“I didn’t know.”

“I know.”

“I didn’t know the baby wasn’t his.”

“I know, buddy.”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I knew.”

“I know.” His face crumples. Then he runs — straight at me. I barely have time to drop my hands from Ally before he hits me around the waist, his arms locking around me. “I didn’t know!”

“I’ve got you.” I scoop him up, and his legs wrap around my waist, arms around my neck, face buried against my shoulder.

“I won’t tell Dad.”

“I believe you.”

“I won’t tell Victor either.”

“I believe you.”

“I promise.”

“I know.”

“I don’t want Victor to take Ally away because I told.”

Every muscle in my body locks. Ally makes a broken sound behind me. “What?”

Tobias starts crying harder. “He said if she’s bad, I don’t get to see her.”

Ally moves. I catch her hand before she gets around me. “Not yet.”

“Toby, what did—“

“Baby.” Her eyes snap to mine. “Not like that.” She looks at Tobias. Then at me. I can see how badly she wants every answer immediately. I also see her understand. She nods.