Page 103 of We Are Yours

Justin suffered irreparable damage to his jaw or some bullshit like that. Guys like Justin had to win no matter what, and that was what this situation felt like. I wasn’t sure why he waited so long, though he was still within the statute of limitations to file a case.

I tried to stay quiet, blend into the background, and help where I could to find Joe. I didn’t want to burden Julius with any more drama or questions, so I pretty much just listened to how shitty this whole ordeal truly was and stayed silent. His lawyer did most of the talking, and seeing the two-inch-thick folder that he held in his hands, full of their parents’ rap sheets, told me everything I needed to know about their upbringing.

I wondered what else Julius had kept from me.

I couldn’t help it, particularly now. Listening to all this new information was upsetting for many reasons, and, again, I tried my best not to make it about me. It wasn’t.

Not in the least.

“I have my best guy trying to find him,” he announced.

They hired a private investigator.

Where is he getting all this money?

The question loomed in my mind, though the answer was not far from reach. However, I tossed that aside, telling myself he was better than that. He wouldn’t resort to what I was thinking. It all fit together, though. All the pieces to the puzzle of why he was so private made sense.

“I’m not impressed,” Julius replied, bringing me back to the present.

“Julius,” he coaxed. “You need to calm down, okay? We’re doing the best we can, given our circumstances. Your brother can take care of himself in there. He’ll be alright.”

“After everything I’ve told you about my brother, do you really think he’ll be able to keep his mouth shut? The second someone challenges him, whether it’s another inmate or authority figure, he’s going to lose his shit if he hasn’t already.”

“I haven’t heard anything.”

“Doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. We both know how these centers are run, Mark.” Julius leaned against the wall. “I can’t believe Kraven! How can he do this to me? Does he even care about how fucked we are right now? No! Of course he doesn’t! He doesn’t give a shit about anyone but himself!”

Their lawyer proceeded, “I understand you’re pissed, but what about if we look for your mother instead?”

He didn’t hesitate in spewing, “Not a chance in hell.”

“Julius…” I rasped, low and transparent.

“All she will do is cause more chaos,” Julius explained. “She will do more harm than good.”

I blurted, “Then you’re just going to let him rot in there?”

“Whose fault is that?” Julius shouted.

I fired off, “It’s Justin’s! He’s the one who started it!”

Julius’s stare instantly went wide as he shot back, “You knew about this?”

I bowed my head for a second, realizing what I just did. I wasn’t family, so I wasn’t allowed to see Kraven. I didn’t know what I could or couldn’t say, and I refused to get him in more trouble than he was already in. I respected our friendship and didn’t want to betray his trust, knowing it was hard for him to trust anyone. Fully aware that I was probably the first person he had confided in.

Julius stood in front of me, raising my chin to meet his eyes.

“The fuck…” he breathed out. “This is one of your little secrets, isn’t it? This is what you’ve been hiding from me? What you’ve both been hiding from me?”

I swallowed hard.

“Answer me!”

“Yes,” I replied, feeling ashamed.

I hated that he thought I was choosing sides when, in reality, I was desperately trying to remain neutral.

He winced, letting go. To say he was wounded was an understatement.