Page 55 of Gin & Jewels

“I know.”

It was his turn to start to pace, and he did it for a good five minutes without talking.

“Are you going to say anything else?” I asked, hating the awkward silence.

“I’m thinking.”

“About what?”

“About what to do, Cass,” he exhaled.

“Just take me home,” I pleaded.

He stopped pacing and put his hands on each of my shoulders. “It’s not that easy.”

“Why not?”

“Because we have to go to the cops.”

I sucked in a breath and started to walk back and forth again. “I can’t go to the cops.”

“Why not?” He furrowed his brow.

“Because he’s my brother!” I flailed my arms.

“You know you have to tell the police, Cass.”

I did know, and I knew Brad was right, but I didn’t know if I could actually go through with it. “I can’t turn in my brother.”

“He’s a criminal.”

“I know, but that’s my brother. He’s my only family.”

He grabbed me again, placing his hands on my upper arms once more. Looking into my eyes, he said, “Blood may be thicker than water, but family doesn’t do this shit to family. Not only did he rob from a job that you loved, but he fucking drugged and kidnapped you.”

“I know,” I whispered.

“And I don’t know the legal shit, but him selling the stuff he sold with you in the car, might put a nail in your coffin too.”

“Seriously?”

“I don’t know. I need to call Seth and ask him.”

I swallowed. “I might go to jail?”

He pulled me against his chest. “I don’t know, but it’s better if we talk to Seth since he’s a friend. He’ll know what to do. Hopefully, he can work out a deal or something.”

“A deal? I didn’t do anything. I was kidnapped by Keith.”

“I know, and that may be true, but we need to talk to him.”

“Okay.”

“You can stay with me at Mom’s until we know what’s going to happen.”

I stepped back. “Don’t you think that Keith will wonder where I am?”

“He won’t find you.”