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Julius bursts through the door, letting the light from the living room shine into Charlie’s bedroom. Immediately, I bring my arm to my face and cover my eyes. It’s only been maybe an hour or two since Charlie left, but I’m definitely feeling the booze starting to leave my system, resulting in a pounding headache and nauseous stomach.
“What the fuck, Jules?” I groan.
“Get up and sober the fuck up because we have a problem.” I can hear his attitude from earlier still hasn’t disappeared.
I peek under my elbow. “What are you talking about?”
“They saw Cameron when they were leaving the doctor.”
Suddenly, I swear I can walk a straight line and pass a sobriety test. “Get Sloan on the phone. Now.”
I leap from the bed and walk into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I grab the orange juice and chug it straight from the bottle before grabbing a few slices of bread and shoving them into my mouth.
When I turn around, I hear Julius talking to who I’m assuming is Sloan and see a note on the counter next to a bottle of aspirin. Take this. I recognize Carl’s writing and unscrew the cap, then shake four tabs into my hand before popping them in my mouth and washing them down with the remainder of the orange juice.
I steady myself using the counter, then turn back to Julius as he ends his call. “What did he say?”
He shakes his head, stuffing his phone back into his pocket. “He hasn’t seen Cameron or heard anything about him. He did find a location for Sebastian though.”
I clench and unclench my fists over and over, trying to kill the rage building in my chest. “We will send Carl after Cameron. I’m sure his unethical ways of getting information will come in handy. At least now we know he’s actually alive and probably staying close to here.” I pause for a beat and try to run down everything in my head again. “Did he send the location for Sebastian?”
“Not yet, but he did say Mexico. So, do you feel like making a trip?”
“I don’t want to leave Char—”
“I’ll stay with her. You go talk with Sebastian, and Carl can try to hunt down Cam. I’ll make sure she stays safe because shit is about to get crazy.” His voice is a little softer than before.
I nod as his eyes bore into mine. I’m not sure what it is about Julius, but he’s always had a way of seeing right through me. Maybe it’s because he’s so in tune with shit from listening over the years, or maybe it’s because we are simply twins and have a connection no one else shares.
I can tell he’s trying to reassure me with his eyes without words because that’s what he’s best at, but it does nothing for me. I trust my brother with my life, but I don’t know if I can trust anyone with Charlie’s. I feel I’m the only one who can really protect her the way she needs. Which is crazy considering she was molded into a weapon by her dad and Teddy, and now she’s the one who needs protecting.
“If anything happens to her…” I trail off, thinking out loud.
“You have to understand that because you love her, I love her, Lucas.”
I raise a brow. “Who said I loved her?”
He smirks. “No one needs to say anything. It’s all over your face every time you see her. You may think you hide shit well, but I’ve been around you my whole life.”
I open my mouth to retort, but I’m cut off by the front door opening. Charlie and Carl walk in, both looking a bit flustered.
I rush to her side and inspect her body with my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’d be better if Carl wasn’t such a fucking pansy,” she snaps, staring at Carl.
He shakes his head lightly and rolls his eyes. “She’s mad I wouldn’t leave her to chase Cameron.”
“You fucked up and flipped the switch, Carl. Good luck turning it off.” Julius laughs.
“Fuck you, Julius.”
He holds up his hands with her remark but doesn’t say anything else.
I try to hold back my laugh because this isn’t the time to fucking laugh, but the sight of her okay elates me. I run my eyes all over her again before glancing at Julius.
His eyes challenge mine. “See?” he says, but I ignore him. This isn’t a conversation I want to have in front of her.
“We talked to Sloan. Nothing on Cameron, but he did find Sebastian.”
