Page 118 of All the Forbidden Things

I smile against her cheek. “You okay?” I ask.

“No. I want to tip Whitney out of her wheelchair, smack Deana around the head with it, cunt punt Whitney as she lays on the floor, and then set them both on fire.”

“Okay. But can we deal with your brother first? Because before you go busting bitches’ heads with that wheelchair, I might need it by the time he’s done with me.”

She lets out a long shuddering breath before looking back up at me. “Please tell me we’re not discussing crackles with my brother? I really don’t think I can handle any more drama today.”

I squeeze the back of her neck, lay a quick kiss on her salty lips, and tell her, “No, we’re not saying a word to anyone about the crackle. He’s still gonna go off his head though. Go wash your face while I calm him down.”

Aaron moves to stand behind Billie’s kitchen worktop with me as footsteps pound up the stairs.

“You got this,” he says with a squeeze of my shoulder.

“Not even a little bit,” I admit.

“It wasn’t a question, I was telling you that you have.”

Cal appears at the top of the stairs, followed by Mel, then Kenzie. Fantastic, the entire Wild tribe.

“Start talking, Young—”

“Where is she?” Kenzie asks.

“Bathroom.” I gesture with my head.

“Before you kick-off”—Aaron holds out his hand, palm side up in an attempt to supplicate the situation—“just know this isn’t Billie or Max’s fault.”

Kenzie and Mel head into Billie’s bedroom.

“Who’s done this then? Whitney?”

“Looks like it, and her sister.”

“Still your fault becauseyouinvited her back.” Cal jabs a finger in my direction. “Now you need to get her the fuck out otherwise Billie comes home with me. I won’t leave her here for that pair of devious bitches to attack again.”

Billie walks out of her bedroom and straight into her brother’s arms. “I’m fine. I’m angry and pissed off and ready to cut a bitch, but fuck them, I’m okay, Cal, honestly.”

A pang of jealousy hits me in the chest, and I have to swallow it. I want to be the one to hold her.

My phone vibrates again. Rather than watch the exchange between Billie and her brother, I answer the call. “Mum?”

“Is she okay?”

“Pissed off, but okay.”

“Whitney do this?”

“Looks like it.”

“Max—“

“I know, Mum, I know. I just thought I was doing the right thing.”

“You need to stop worrying about what other people think and do what’s right for you. Do what makes you happy.”

My eyes slide to Aaron, who’s still standing next to me but now talking on his own phone.

“Yeah, I know. Aaron’s said pretty much the same thing this morning, but I know it anyway.”