Page 51 of Precious Legacy
“It’s my job to keep you under control,” he sneers, pressing his finger to the counter top.
“Yourjobis to be my damn father and support me!”
“Well, you’re not getting my support for this. You’re being reckless. If you want to betray your brother, the families and what we stand for, then you’re finally going to get your wish. You’re no longer considered a part of this family.” He spins around once more, his footsteps clipping against the hardwood flooring so loudly that I’m sure my neighbors can hear. As soon as he reaches the doorway, he stops, glancing over his shoulder at Roman. He now has his arm around me, pulling me against his warm, bare chest. “You and I will be talking, too,” Dad warns.
Nobody speaks, but I’m certain Roman acknowledges the threat in my dad’s tone before the door slams shut and I collapse onto the kitchen floor.
Sobs wrack my body, my chest feeling like an elephant is sitting on it. I knew it would be hard for me to come clean to my parents; even more so for my father to understand my motives. But he didn’t even give me the chance to explain. All he sees is me betraying the family and putting them at risk; something I’d never do unless I had a valid reason.
Hugging my knees to my chest, I let my head drop and release a breath that only partially soothes the pain from my dad’s words. An arm slides over my shoulders and warmth envelops me as Roman maneuvers me into his lap. I’m caged in his embrace, and he allows me to release every tear and sob until I’m exhausted and numb.
Did I mention that I don’t like surprises?
TWENTY
Alanis is a mess. I’ve never seen her like this; so numb and filled with hurt that I don’t know what to do. Even her hatred for me was tolerable, but this is something else. Something I don’t think I can fix.
Sure, her dad is probably right, but their conversation could’ve gone a lot differently if he’d given her a chance to explain. Because she’s not just putting the families under the spotlight, she’s putting herself at risk, too.
Even if she changed her name, it’s not like her mom isn’t known around the city. I’ve always admired Alanis’ tenacity. She’s fucking smart, but I can’tdeny that this is fucking stupid.
Dropping a kiss onto her silky black hair, we sit in silence. She’s long since finished crying, her body relaxing against mine, though I can feel the tension in her muscles from the weight of what’s just happened.
Silently, Alanis tangles her fingers with mine, curling up in my lap as we sit on the kitchen floor. She releases a long breath before she peers up at me, and my heart breaks a little. Her eyes are red and puffy, her lips swollen. She still looks as beautiful asever, but there’s something missing from her green-eyed gaze. The spark that was once there has dimmed, and I don’t like it.
I reach down, cupping her cheek. “Tell me why you want to join the police?”
“Does it matter?” she whispers.
“It does to you.”
She casts her eyes down to where our hands are tangled in her lap, her thumb stroking over mine. She inhales deeply, licking her lips, and I practically feel the tension ripple through her body. “Because I want justice,” she mutters. “And not the type of justice The Five hands out.Realjustice.”
“Justice for what?”
She presses her lips together in a tight line, and I cup her cheek, staring into her eyes.
“Talk to me, Presh. What aren’t you telling me?”
She sucks in a breath as she averts her eyes, a sob racking her body. “I was… attacked.”
My blood turns to ice in my veins, then boils with the rage of a thousand suns. All the darkness I’ve managed to keep at bay rises to the surface as I struggle to process her words. My fist clenches and Alanis grimaces, yanking her hand away.
Though she isn’t looking at me, I can sense the pain she’s trying to let go of. “It was a long time ago,” she placates. “But like I said, I want justice for it, and I want to get it the right way. I have to.”
“When the fuck did this happen?” I growl, trying not to react to the sudden revelation.
“It doesn’t matter, Ro. It happened and I?—”
Gripping her chin, I tilt her head back so I can stare into those deep green orbs. “When?” I snarl.
She swallows heavily, averting her gaze. A tear slips free and rolls down her cheek. “The night you left.”
No. That can’t be right.
“I was upset, so I drank an entire bottle of whiskey and went out,” she admits, answering my unspoken question. “To The Ravenite. I was outside about to leave, deciding whether I should go back in and confront you, when…” she trails off as a sob chokes her words.
I pull her tighter to my body, as if she’s the only thing tethering me to the present. Because if I don’t stay grounded right now, I can’t be sure what I’ll do next.
