Page 23 of Broken Warrior
Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.
“I’ll fix it,” I say instead of telling Blondie anything relevant. “I’ll fix things and— “
“Did you know Tate’s abuse went beyond physical, Fin?”
My eyes snap open at that.
We haven’t talked about it, not once, but I saw the black eye when we picked her up from the airport, I looked into the Valettis and what they do. And I’ve heard Tate crying in the bathroom late at night when she thinks everyone is asleep. I’m not stupid enough to think the only thing she endured was merciless beatings, but I’m not about to ask for details and I sure as fuck didn’t want to think about it.
Theo sighs when I don’t respond. “It’s not my place to tell you anything my sister hasn’t shared, but you need to understand that she takes everything to heart because of what she went through. Tate has been beaten down in more than one way and in order for her to get back up and stand on her own two feet, she can’t have people around that are going to make her question who she is, especially while she’s trying to figure that out.” She clears her throat. “I don’t know what happened between you two today but I know something did. Tate was too excited when she picked up James for it to not be something between you. She cares a lot about you and what you think of her, and even if you were just being your stoic, brooding self, Tate is going to take that personally.”
Which means I very literally am the definition of a heartless prick. Tate has gotten nothing but my stoic, brooding self for the last month and tonight I took it up a notch and showed her how big of an asshole I can truly be. And if what Theo says is true, if Tate really does take things to heart and cares about me at all, then I’m the reason for her tears and anything else she told Theo when they talked.
Fuck me.
“Look, Fin”—Theo clears her throat—“I know you have demons just like everybody else, but I also know you’re an amazing guy with a heart of gold that would do anything for anyone you care about. You are a good man and you have to believe me, because if you weren’t, there’s no fucking way I’d let my baby sister and my nephew stay with you. Whatever happened can be fixed and I’d recommend you do that because the only tears I want Tater shedding are happy ones from this point forward.”
I sigh long and deep as I try to sit up. “I fucked up, Blondie.”
“I know,” she whispers. “But you can fix it. You fix everything. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met and that’s coming from someone who has an IQ of 165.”
I crack a grin as I peel my eyelids open. “Had to throw that in there, huh?”
“Duh. I’ve never been insecure about my brain power until Zak told me what yours was. It’s important I remind you that I’m the closest you’re gonna get to an intellectual equal and it’s also why you need to make things right with Tate. You are one of my favorite people on the planet, Fin, but if you hurt my sister, we’re done. So unless you want to spend your free time helping Marbles with word searches my unborn child could complete, get your shit in order.”
“I might...” My head bobs forward then back. “Might not be able to...”
“Nothing is as bad as it seems.”
“This is.” Because I’m a horrible fucking person. “I’m all mixed up, Theo. A real... real fucking mess.”
“Why? What’s going on with you?”
Apparently I’m still high enough to let my guard down but sober enough to not actually tell Theo shit. “I just... Tate...”
She sighs again but I can hear the smile. “I thought you two had chemistry.”
I snort as my eyes slide shut again, little bits of crystallized dope shooting out of my nose.
Awesome.
Glad she can’t see me.
“You do,” Theo continues. “I know there’s a ton of baggage on both sides but I can see the spark between you guys, saw it in the way Tater looked at you at the airport.”
“She was fucking scared, Blondie. If there was a spark it was... it was fear. Fight or flight shit.”
There’s a long pause as I start to ease off the recliner, swaying and stumbling to my feet. I have no idea how the fuck I’m going to drive home but I have to. I have to get home and make surem’eudailandmo laochainare safe.
“Are you drunk?” Theo whispers. “You sound funny.”
Shit. “No.” I clear my throat and look around for my keys. “Not drinking, Blondie.”
“Are you coming down with something?”
“No.”Goddamnit. I shouldn’t have answered until I was sober enough to mask the lethargy and congestion. I’ve spent too much time with Theo for her to not know something is off right now. She talks about howsneaky perceptiveus Kings are, but Blondie might be an empath who can read me like a fucking book even over the phone. My fucking mistake.
She hums into my ear. “Allergies maybe? The weather has been weird.”
