a's

finality in his brother's tone.

ly towards Justin, "you should stop talking

fists flexed at his sides, but then he looked at me. Really looked.

your little show. But don't come crawling back when y

t, the echo of his footsteps slammin

erything pressing down on me all at once. I hugged my arm to

ence. His voice came out lower an

on my face but on the arm I cradled. Slowly, carefully

et h

ned, and for a second I swore I saw anger flicker in his eyes; not the wild, reckle

t up with this," he said,

press against my eyes. Not from weakness, but from the st

too far from the living room, p

voice's reach, he said, "get

was still perched uncomfortably on the edge of the couch. His briefcase rested between his knees, but his eyes darted anywhere but me. Shame

ds, Aaron stepped in, his

tion," he said, already ri

zen, my hand still hovering over my arm. The redness had spread, ugly and glaring

a voice rumble

going on

s, his hand curled around the polished railing. His eyes

his gaze flicking from me to the empty doorway wher

to explain...but explain what? That his son had dared to lay a han

eps were steady, but his eyes were quick and a

ather. I was... raising my voice at the lawyer

smoothly, I almost bel

ered on my arm, the faint swelling obvious even under the sleeve I

asked, voice edge

ly, a faint smile tugging

'Cruz studying me, weighing the tremble in my fingers, the red

dded once, slowly, thoug

en us one last time then he wa

ast us to the dining room, "Get Jus

from sight and questions. Aaron's hand brushed against mine lightly, groun

of secrets tightening around us. The fear that this