Page 144 of Fractured Future

“You literally called me mentally unstable for choosing to do this. I don’t know what else I can say.”

“That’s not… Shit.” He sighs heavily. “I didn’t mean to be such an idiot. I really am sorry. It’s just… I wanted to protect you.”

“By screaming your head off?”

“By convincing you to be something you’re not.”

Tom averts his eyes, but not before I see how much shame fills them. My brother isn’t one to apologise. His career and world are far too cut-throat for that. But we’ve never fought like this either.

“I can see how foolish that was now. You’re braver than me. Strong. Determined. I should’ve trusted you.”

Softening, I lift one hand to place it over his, drawing his sad eyes back to me. “Thank you.”

“When Mum died…” His throat works up and down. “You held it together for the both of us. You looked after me and struggled alone. Just like you did when I left for university.”

“You’re being too hard on yourself.”

“No, Em. It’s always you keeping us together.”

My vocal cords spasm, filling with sharp pain. Someone had to take care of the funeral arrangements and our mother’s estate. Although Tom was older, he was a grieving wreck. I had no choice but to step up.

“For once, I just wanted to be the one to look after you. That’s all.”

“I love you for it,” I rasp throatily. “But I have to do this.”

“I know that. I’m proud of you.”

“You’ve no idea how much I needed to hear that.”

We wrap each other in a tight hug. Tom’s face tucks into the crook of my neck while I suck in his minty, ink-stained scent, letting it soothe me.

Losing our only parent fucked us both up, but I don’t think either of us quite realised how much until now.

“I’m not going to lie… I really hate that you’re living in an apartment full of men.” He laughs into my neck. “Who do I need to have thrown in prison first?”

“No one,” I rush out.

Pushing me backwards, Tom cocks a brow. “That was a fast answer.”

“I can handle the Anaconda Team. They’re harmless.”

“I trust Warner, but the moment the others try to cross any professional boundaries… You tell me, alright? I’ll handle it.”

My stomach twists and flips traitorously. He really doesn’t need to know about Axel publicly fucking me with his hand or Hyland kissing me so hard, I swear I saw stars.

“You got it.”

Smiling, Tom tugs the end of my ponytail. “Good.”

“Did you come all the way here just to win me over in person?”

“Partly.” His smile soon fades away. “The authorities are investigating the shipping container that washed up. I wanted to make sure you’re okay. But first, I have something for you.”

Sitting back on his haunches, Tom reaches into his suit jacket. He pulls out a folded yellow Post-It note to hand over to me.

“What’s this?”

Unfolding the paper, I see a scrawled phone number.