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Chapter Thirteen
"Francis-fucking-Turner. Who is this fucking cocksucker?"I snatch the burner out of Rhys's grasp before he can launch it like my poor toothbrush holder—which I haven’t replaced yet. Wes and I were still in my bathroom when he walked in. He had spent the past hour talking to Natty and, therefore, was already high strung.
The first picture Nate found was of Turner walking down Chester Drive—the cul de sac parallel to ours. Why George installed cameras there is beyond me, but right about now, I'm just grateful. The second one is of him driving down Grand Avenue, which is the one our street breaks off of. There is no question in my mind; Turner is behind the photo of Natty. But is he also the source of the article? What the hell is his endgame? It makes no freaking sense.
Rhys rubs his hands over his face. "Babe, Nat was a mess. No one has ever treated her like this. She didn't know how to respond to being bullied. You know her, she's the sweetest kid. Everyone likes her." His fists ball at his side, and he growls, "I want to fucking strangle Vic."
"Why did you never mention Katherine’s sister before? Let alone that she goes to school with Natty?" My question comes out like an accusation, and I quickly take his hands. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded." I sigh. "I hate hearing how upset she was. She wouldn’t talk to me."
Rhys huffs. "Because Kat's sister has never been of any concern to me. She's two years older than Nat and attended some fancy boarding school up north for as long as I've known Kat. I've seen her once or twice during breaks. The Rosenfields always travel over the holidays, so our paths haven't crossed. I had no clue she was back. Nat’s school is a K through eight, which is the only reason Vic has access to her. Otherwise, they would’ve never met."
"She sounds like a mini version of your psycho ex." Wes's tone is equally as harsh as mine was a minute ago. Not what I'm used to from him.
"Which is why she was sent away," Rhys deadpans.
Glancing sideways at Wes, he also waits for Rhys to elaborate, but he remains mute. I'm sick of Kat, and now her sister, messing with our lives. We have enough going on as it is.
All because of you, a voice echoes in my mind.
I shake my head, willing the thought to go away, which makes both boys scowl at me.
"Will this turn into another Kat situation?" Translation: Will Victoria Rosenfield physically attack our little sister?
Rhys glares at the wall behind me, not making eye contact and deliberating. "I don't think so. Kat probably sicced Vic on Natty, but people would put two and two together if anything happened to her—with your attack and all."
It's some consolation, but I'm still worried about what nonviolent bullying will do to Natty.
Wes leaves around five.Natty refuses to come down for dinner and won't talk to me either. Guilt gnaws at my insides as I lie in bed that night. Rhys is the only one Natty lets into her room, and that's where he’s been since dinner. All I can do is sit in my room and wait.
I spot him heading into his bedroom around 9:30, and a couple of minutes later, he walks across the hall in sweats and a clean t-shirt. He takes his place on my bed, and we stare at each other, tears pricking in my eyes.
Rhys leans forward, swiping under my eye. "Don't cry, babe. Nat's fine. We talked. I gave her some big brotherly advice on how to handle it when she gets cornered again. Everything will be okay." His tone is soothing, and my nerves calm a little.
"I hope you didn’t tell her to sucker punch the mini witch." I smirk, blinking against the moisture in my eyes.
"I might have." He grins but then sobers. "No, I told her that the only reason these girls are doing this is to hurt her. They can't touch her, and spewing lies is their way of trying to get to Nat." His tone is gentle, and I'm grateful that he was able to talk her down. Nonetheless, I can't help the hollow sensation that has settled in my stomach and has been growing since this afternoon. The feeling of being responsible for all of it.
As we move into our new sleep position, "Lover. Fighter." by SVRCINA comes through the speaker next to my bed. How fitting. I forgot I added the song to my playlist a while ago. Rhys pushes a strand of hair from my face and places a soft kiss on my forehead. "Get some rest, babe."
The last timeI had glanced at the clock on my nightstand was around two a.m. My mind kept running through all the consequences my adopted family has had to deal with because of my selfish need to hold onto my brother a little longer—to find the answers to my past.
I wake up with the alarm and watch Rhys from the bed as he gets ready in my bathroom. While he brushes his teeth, I take the opportunity and walk down the hall to Natty's room. Her door is ajar, and I knock against the doorframe with a trembling hand. My pulse accelerates with every step that brings me closer to her. She sits in her window nook with a book—even this early in the day—and her head whips around.
"Hey, baby girl." I chew on my thumbnail, waiting for her response. I’ve never bitten my nails until the last few months. Now they’re basically nonexistent.
"Hi." She smiles genuinely, and relief crashes through me.
I cross the room and lower myself down next to her. "I just wanted to see how you're doing and tell you how sorry I am."
"What for?" Natty’s brows knit together.
"For what happened in school. If Kat didn't have it out for me, her sister wouldn't have come after you. I—" my voice cracks. I shouldn't have to have this conversation with my little sister.
"Are you kidding me?" Her incredulous expression makes me freeze. When I don’t speak, she leans forward. "Vic thinks she is someone because of who her sister is. She can say whatever she wants about you, me, or our family. I know the truth. She is just a bully hiding behind a mask of insecurity."
Excuse me, what?
It takes me a good minute to form a coherent sentence in my head. "Uh, how old are you again?"
