I clipped my visitor’s pass onto the belt loop of my pants as I followed the nurse leading me to Rome’s room. While I didn’t feel guilty about being with Nakyra, I thought I might try to easethings with us. We’d never had a horrible relationship. It wasn’t the best, but I loved my brother regardless.
“Here you are,” the nurse stated, turning to me.
“Thanks.”
She turned and walked away while I approached the door, knocking on it and waiting a second before opening it.
“I said I didn’t want to be bothered!” Rome complained.
“I didn’t get the memo.” I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me.
From what I understood he had some spinal injury that caused him to be paralyzed. The doctors didn’t believe it was permanent but it would take time for him to recover. He was now in a wheelchair but for how long was unknown.
“What are you doing here?” Rome was staring out the large window near his bed. He reversed his chair then turned and faced me. “Came to steal something else from me,” he sneered, curling his top lip up.
My brother was noticeably thinner than I remembered which was understandable after being in a coma for three and a half months.
“I thought we could talk.” My hands went into my coat pockets. I stayed close to the door.
His face hardened. “We don’t have anything to talk about, little brother. You took advantage of me being in a coma. I always knew you secretly wanted my life.”
A guttural laugh fell from my mouth. “Me getting with Nakyra had nothing to do with wanting your life.”
He rolled his chair closer to me with a clenched jaw. “Then why? Why would you go behind my back and sleep with my fiancée? Does blood mean nothing to you?”
I cleared my throat and crossed my arms over my chest. “Things with me and Nakyra just happened. Neither of usexpected to fall for the other, but it happened. I came here to try and clear the air but obviously it’s too soon.”
He snorted. “Nakyra was so desperate for love when I first got with her that anyone who smiled at her could’ve grabbed her attention. For the past eight years I’ve molded her into the perfect woman for me. It wasn’t hard honestly. She’s a weak woman. Honestly, the only reason I was going forward with this wedding was because Nakyra hardly ever gave me lip and was easy to manipulate.” He shrugged.
His words sent fire through my veins and made my blood boil. “Watch your fucking mouth,” I gritted. My eyes narrowed. A burning formed in my throat.
Rome grinned. Mirth passed through his eyes. “You really fell for her huh, baby bro? Mom and Dad always told me she wasn’t good enough for me, but it was fun slumming it up for a while. I understand why you hang out with those low lives you do. No wonder Dad had no plans of bringing you into the business.”
I slowly dragged my tongue across my top teeth and leveled a stare at my older brother. When we were younger I used to always want to be around him. I was a lonely kid so I expected us to stick together. The older I got, the more I realized how wrong I was. It was clear he was more like our parents. He used people and saw them as pawns.
“You know, when I got the call that you were in an accident and I flew over here, I felt bad when I first stepped inside your hospital room. Thatweak womanyou were playing was distraught, and I knew Mom and Dad weren’t going to be there for her, so I decided to stay. At the end of the day, like you said, we’re blood. The more I was around Nakyra, and she told me about your relationship, I started to see you didn’t love nor deserve her.” Rome’s mouth twitched. “It doesn’t matter though; your karma is being in that chair now. From what it sounded like, your mistress doesn’t plan on staying around. Even if youdo make it out that chair, you’ll never be happy, not truly. Even without being brought into the business as you say, I made something of myself without Mommy and Daddy handing me shit. At the end of the day you’re a little spoiled child, stuck in a grown man’s body.”
Rome’s nostrils flared, his cheeks puffed, and his lips thinned tightly.
“Get out,” he demanded. “Get the hell out and don’t come back here.”
I smirked. “Trust me, you don’t gotta worry about that.” I turned to leave.
“And tell that gold digger whore to get the hell out of my house! She can live on the streets for all I care.” I paused mid-grab for the door handle. Closing my eyes and mentally counting to ten, I pushed out a heavy breath.
“Did that upset you?” He laughed. “Mom and Dad told me all she wanted was my money! I guess when the big brother was out of commission she figured the little brother would do.”
Wetting my lips, I rolled my head between my shoulders then turned on my heels to face my brother again. I started for him slowly.
“You want to hit me, don’t you? Go ahead. I’ll sue the hell out of you and take everything you’re worth.” He was talking boldly but his eyes showed fear.
Ignoring him, I walked around the chair and grabbed the handles, tipping it forward. Rome wasn’t worth me losing everything I’d worked for by putting my hands on him, no matter how much I wanted to.
“What the fuck!” he grunted, landing on the ground with a thump.
“Lay there and think about your actions, big brother.”
I stepped around him and headed for the door.
