Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 130512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Seeing that, seeing how freely they felt for their friend and let it be seen, remembering what Beltaine just said for Maddy and remembering some of his past supportive comments about Maddy, I was beginning to change my mind about this group being friends with my daughter. Of course, in Maddy’s case, it wasn’t really about anyone being a bad influence on her, but why add to it? I’d been concerned after seeing the drugs at Beltraine’s house but I also knew that Sam had every intention of bringing these three boys into the fold so the drugs would go anyway. She’d never stand for that, and knowing my wife, she’d schedule a K9 dog to come through the house for unexpected visits.
Logan migrated over to me. He gave me a look, and I grinned back, hooking an arm over his shoulder as Beltraine and Axel were standing. It felt good to stand like this with my brother. I’d missed him when he went to Boston. It felt right being back here, having him by my side.
He gave me a smartass grin. “Are we going to bump foreheads too?”
“Fuck no. That’d hurt my back.”
“But Mason—”
“Shut up.”
He laughed, but he stopped talking.
Steele grew quiet after a few minutes. He shifted so he was facing the rest of us. Sam moved so she wasn’t hugging him, but she was still there. Right at his side.
He wiped the palms of his hands down his face, trying to wipe away the tears before he lifted his eyes to take the rest of us in. Whatever he saw had him cursing. “Shit’s been stressful with my family.”
Beltraine gave him a wicked grin. “Dude. We know. We’ve literally had a front row seat.”
Axel asked, somber, “You okay, Steele?”
“Yeah. I…” His face closed off before he looked at Sam, then found me. “My dad told me to do whatever you and Sam said to do, but I don’t think he’d agree with—”
“Stop, Steele,” Axel clipped out. “I get what you don’t want to do, but we’re going to do it. She’s going to wake up and say that she didn’t try to hurt herself, that Maddy stabbed her. But we’re going to all say that she’s lying. Of course she doesn’t want to admit that she tried to hurt herself and of course, she’s going to try to blame it on Maddy, because it’s going to be apparent how much your sister hates your other sister. But, we’re all going to say the same thing. Your sister needs help, real serious help. So fucking what if this one thing is the truth she’s saying. Everything else is twisted and fucked up and a lie. We’re taking a page out of her playbook. That’s it.”
I spoke, my eyes on Steele, “It’s either this or I’ll involve the police. There’s witnesses to what she said she did for her part in my father’s death. Things are changing now. People are being charged with committing crimes if they maliciously and intentionally meant to cause harm. It’s my father, Steele. I will throw everything I have at the district attorney to ensure he brings charges against your sister. She either needs to be locked up in a hospital of some sort or prison.”
“Mason—”
I cut my eyes to Sam. “No. This was my father. Logan’s father. I won’t destroy her in the way I want to because she’s your sister, but she will be punished. That’s nonnegotiable.”
“I know. I’m not arguing on her behalf. I was going to say that you’re speaking for both of us. I’m with you. Always.” She let out a soft sigh. “She wants to hurt my daughter. I’ll never forget that.”
I shouldn’t have doubted her.
“I can’t—” Steele shoved to his feet. “I know what you all are going to say. Cops said they’d come back when she was awake.” He said to the rest of us, “They already took Traine and Axe’s statements, and they backed up what Maddy said. Mrs. Monroe showed up when they started to ask for my statement, but she tossed ‘em out. Said they needed to come back when parents were present. Course, that was bullshit, which they’ll find out later, but I know. I get what you all are saying. And I get what you’re saying, Mr. Kade, about picking your battles. Hospital or prison. I know which one I’d pick, but I made a promise to my sister. She used to get confused when we were little sometimes and I promised her that I’d never lie to her. I can’t lie to her. I won’t go back on that promise.”
“Technically, you’re not lying to her. You’re lying for her. Just, whenever she confronts you, evade and then answer truthfully in private.”
Steele stared at Logan. “What?’
“You’re lying for her, not to her. Just say it that way. She won’t push you and you’re still holding up your promise to her.”