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He cackles. “Love! What a concept. Tell me something, Tomas, since you’re such an expert at the ripe age of eighteen—how does one fall in love with a whore? I’ve been trying to figure that out for a long time. It would be wonderful to know the answer.”
My muscles quiver as I close the space between us, gritting my teeth as I prepare to launch a punch into his smug features. He speaks too carelessly about his family, damaging us in ways that he can’t even seem to comprehend, yet resumes his life as though it’s the most normal thing in the world.
This won’t be my house or my home. I won’t do these things to my family, to my wife, or to my kids. They’ll get what they need and then some, support ample enough to fuel them for life without making them dependent. Our lives may be riddled with crime, but they don’t need to be speckled with bullshit on top of that.
As I raise my fist and my father shifts into a defensive stance, the sound of a gunshot breaks us apart, cutting through the mansion like a door clapping shut. The two of us dart to the stairs, race to the second floor, and search every room until we come upon Adelaide crying while pointing a gun at a broken window.
Her chest heaves as her wide eyes stay focused on the shattered pane. “There…there…”
The gun shivers in her hands. My father slowly reaches for the gun and plucks it from her fingers, frowning as he says sternly, “You should never play with this gun again, Adelaide. You could have shot someone.”
“I wasn’t playing with it,” she snaps while shooting her frightened gaze at him. “I saw a face in the window.”
Security rushes into the room just seconds after my father and me, the three armed men already scoping the area. I snag one of them as Adelaide rushes up to me.
“Tommy, you have to believe me,” she begs while taking my hands. “He had dark, greasy hair and gold on his fingers.”
“Check the grounds,” I instruct the guard. “Comb every corner. No space is too small. Go now.”
The three guards clear the room and then race away, calling orders into their earpieces as they run. My father observes me quietly for a moment, then he turns away as if the whole ordeal has been some minor annoyance rather than a life-threatening situation for his daughter. To say I’m frustrated is an understatement—I’m beyond agitated, and I can’t stop clutching Adelaide’s hands.
“Tommy, you’re hurting my fingers.”
I relinquish my grip while keeping her close. A couple of maids file into the room and get to work on the window. Shortly after they’re done cleaning up the mess, a carpenter wanders inside and fixes the pane with new glass. In just under an hour, the grounds have been swept clean with a report from the guard I spoke to just after the incident occurred.
No one was found on the premises. The unused portions of the mansion and grounds are closed off with extra security at key checkpoints. While my father hunkers down in his room, I get a hearty meal for Adelaide and dine with her, quietly providing her the support I know that she desperately needs.
While I watch her pick through her favorite rosemary potatoes, I play with my fork, her stunned silence fracturing my heart. “I’m proud of your response today, Adelaide.”
“What for?”
“You did exactly as Alex and I taught you.”
A small smile curves her lips. She doesn’t respond, choosing to fill her belly instead of speaking to her worried older brother. But I can tell the compliment has done wonders for her self-esteem. My stupid father doesn’t know shit about his own fucking kids, yet assumes a role of authority over them.
Not for much longer.
Once we’re done with dinner, I send her with one of the maids to take a lengthy shower. I’m sure she needs the hot water to relax. I linger in my room for a while until I’m sure she’s done, returning to her bedroom to check on her before she tucks in for the evening.
My sister is not so little anymore. I realize this as I tuck the sheets under her chin, loving motions quietly indicating my care and affection. “I’m going to protect you. I promise.”
“I’m learning how to protect you, Tommy.”
An amused grin steals my lips as I rest my hand on her shoulder. “I suppose you are.”
“And I can protect Alex, too.”
“Yes, I’m sure she would appreciate that.”
She smiles. “Will you tell her about today? How I did what she taught me?”
“Yes, of course.”
“And tell her how brave I was?”
I chuckle lightly while leaning forward to kiss her forehead. “You got it, princess.”
“Good night, Tommy. I love you.”
