Page 80 of Revere

Violet’s eyes dart between us, and I know there’s no denying what’s happening right in front of her face—or that he’s the mystery man I’ve been sneaking off with. But right now, I don’t care. I follow her into the apartment, submitting to the haze in my mind.

I’m barely standing by the time Kole finishes explaining what happened last night. It’s the most I’ve ever heard him say at once, and I still get the feeling he’s withholding details. Which isn’t surprising since Jacob is standing beside me, and the House only ever reveals so much.

But I get the general idea of what occurred.

Mila was with my brother at Sigma House when Alex was called away to take care of something. She went to the kitchen for water and ran into my father downstairs. Their conversation got heated, and when Alex returned, the three of them got into an argument that ended with her in the hospital.

“I’m calling Alex.”

“But—” Violet’s eyebrows pinch, and if I had to guess, she’s wondering how I’m going to call him when he doesn’t speak to anyone.

“He’ll talk to me,” is all I say as way of explanation.

For the first time since leaving Bristal, I wish I’d taken my mother’s advice and stayed there. If there’s one person who has always been there for me through everything—good and bad—it’s Alex. And here I am, selfishly chasing the dreams my mother will squash when I return home. Leaving him to deal with our family alone.

I turn to Jacob, who is still standing at my side, even after everything Kole has just said. I can only imagine what he’s thinking. It’s one thing for me to tell him I’m a disaster, but to show proof of it is another. Jacob should leave and find someone who has their life together. Someone easier to be with. Someone less broken.

“You can go.” I swallow hard while Kole and Violet give us some space. “Sorry you had to hear about all this. My family is a mess.”

He smooths his fingers down my long braid. Blonde strands slip between his fingers as he thinks for a moment.

“Patience.” Jacob steps closer, cradling my jaw in his hands. “Go call your brother. I’ll be here when you’re done.”

“You don’t have to wait. This is messy. You have no idea.”

He frowns. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll be here.”

My throat tightens. And when he dips down to kiss my forehead, I realize I have a lot of explaining to do with Violet, given the fact that she and Kole are staring at me. But it’s suddenly the last thing on my mind because all that matters is checking on my brother.

Jacob waits in the kitchen, and Kole is surprisingly chatty with him, while I go into my bedroom and close the door.

Pulling out my phone, I debate texting, but I decide to try a video call. To my surprise, Alex answers on the second ring.

“Hey.” I frown, sinking onto the bed.

Even though the room is dim around him, it’s clear he’s in the hospital.

“I heard what happened. How is she?”

Alex rakes his fingers through his dark-blond hair, looking up at the ceiling. “Alive.”

Hearing his voice again after years of silence still catches me off guard. The simple reassurance has my shoulders relaxing.

“How are you?” I rest my elbows on my knees, holding the phone up and wishing there was less distance between us.

Alex shakes his head, dipping his chin. “I let that fucking happen.”

“What he does isn’t your fault.”

“Isn’t it?” Alex swallows hard, and I realize even if he’s speaking again, his words are still clipped and unsteady. “Dad told me about my trial. He’s the reason all this shit happened.”

My chest tightens. “What?”

“He thought I was getting weak, so he pulled some strings and almost got me killed. At least he was sorry for that. Fucking asshole.”

“It wasn’t the House?”

Alex shakes his head. “It was our father all along. And Mila found out, and it all went to shit. He fucking stabbed her.”