I whisper, “I love him, though.”
Brax cringes, like the words harmed him physically. “You know that bastard has a record, right? He’s a felon.”
“I know! I had to find that out myself,” I snap. “Why didn’tyoutell me you let a criminal live with us?”
He shrugs, casual. “Yeah, he’s a criminal, you idiot. Stupid as Mom, I swear. But I didn’t care if he stayed. None of my friends wanted to fuck my fat sister, let alone Grayson. Figured you were safe.” Then he smirks, smug as sin. “Besides, he was busy screwing Meghan. That was the girl he raped,if you can call it that. Everybody’s had a go with her. Me included. If a dick is near, she’ll be the first to hop on it.”
My stomach twists. I still don’t like Meghan, but she’s a person. Not some discarded toy.
“You’re disgusting,” I say flatly.
When he doesn’t soften, I add more firmly, “Brax, just let me date Grayson.”
“No.” He grins widely now, something cruel flashing in his mischievous eyes. “I already got something planned for that double-crossing fucker.”
I sit straighter. “I know. That’s why I’m here. Killian said something. I came to stop whatever you’re planning.”
He lets out a sharp laugh and shakes his head. “Oh, Piglet. You really don’t get it, do you? Grayson broke the code. You don’t fuck your buddy’s little sister. Ever. That’s sacred. Everyone knows that, except someone as clueless as you.”
I sniffle, hating how my emotions threaten to spill. “So what, I’m never supposed to fall in love? Never get married? Just live alone forever becauseyousay so?”
Brax shrugs, cool as ice. “Find some dork. Someone I don’t know. In another zip code.”
I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off.
“How’s Atticus?”
I blink, stunned by the shift. “I just saw him. He’s miserable. He wants to come home. I wish you hadn’t gotten behind on the mortgage.”
Forthe first time, Brax’s smugness falters. His shoulders drop just slightly. “Sex, drugs, and parties get expensive,” he mutters, almost to himself. “It’s hard not to touch your own supply. You wouldn’t understand, though.”
I jump on the opportunity. “Guess what? Grayson got a second job. He let me quit mine so I can focus on my EMT training. I get certified soon. He’s helping us save the house. Get Atticus back. Can’t you just... let this go? Call off whatever you’re planning?”
He strokes his jaw slowly, thinking. After a beat, he says casually, “Fine. I’ll change the plan.”
Hope swells in my chest. “Really?”
“To a degree.”
My stomach drops. “What does that mean?”
“He’ll live another day. That’s it. Once he saves the house, he’s done.”
“That’s not fair!”
Don’t freak out, Charlotte. Calm down.
He grins like he just won a game we have been playing since childhood. “There’s still gonna be consequences for him messin’ around with you.”
I explode: “Fuck you, Brax!” I shove to my feet, chair scraping loudly against the concrete floor.
“Wee, wee, Piggy!” he taunts with a cackle. “Let’s see that face turn red!”
I flip him off, trying to look tough, and storm toward exit.
He laughs harder, a villain among villains. Right where he belongs.
Sentenced to fifteen years behind bars, and Brax still thinks he’s the king of the world. Hopefully, these prison bars limit his reach.
