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“I'm being me." I lied.
“I'm not saying you're not being you. I'm just saying something's off. What's wrong? Are you still mad because I tied you to him? Look, I know you want to be in the field, but I just don't think you're ready."
I choked out a laugh. "According to you, I will never be ready. Which is neither here nor there. In some of these cases, I understand you keep me out of the field because I still have those nightmares. Other times, I'm just fed up, Gabe."
He pressed his lips firmly together. "Look, we just need to start small, okay? It's only been two years. I can't lose you too."
His voice was so soft I'd almost not heard him.
"What?"
“You heard me. I couldn't take it if I lost you, okay?"
“Gabe, don't give me that.”
“You're my kid sister. I love you, and I just want to keep you safe for a little bit longer. And maybe I am holding on too tight. I could loosen the reins a little. If you want, maybe you can live off site. I just— I like seeing you every day."
“Give me something meaningful to do, Gabe. I graduated from uni a year early. I didn't come back just to sit here."
He nodded. “I hear you. And I think—" His phone buzzed on the table. I frowned at it because we had a rule of no phones during family dinner. But since Gabe was division lead at Rogues, the phone couldn't completely be off. “I'm sorry, let me get this." He answered, "Webb."
Everything about him changed then. From the way he stiffened to the cold tone of his voice. "When? Where? I'll get the team." And then he hung up.
"What's wrong?"
He shook his head. "We've got a sighting on Massimo Igno. He and his girlfriend are going on a little vacation. Oversight wants them watched."
I sat up straighter. "That's good news, right?"
Massimo, as far as we could tell, was not involved with his father’s business, but he was also hard to get a bead on. He kept a low profile. Rich lifestyle, but not too flashy. But now, he was dating a Spanish actress, Graciella Natanya, which meant more opportunities to get close to him.
Gabe pinched the bridge of his nose. “I have to go."
"You can't just go."
“It's important."
“If it's about Igno, I should be there too."
His gaze to me was direct. "No. You're staying out of this."
“I can help, Gabe."
“Forget it."
And then I watched my brother stride out of the room. Once again, I was left alone. Just like always. One of these days, Gabe was going to have to realize that I didn't need his protection. And every time he walked away from me and kept me out, he made me feel just as alone as I had in the days after my parents died.
