Page 132 of We Are Yours

Isla walked into the kitchen, asking, “You guys hungry? I could throw some chicken on the grill.”

“Sure,” I replied. “I’ll go turn it on for you.”

“Thanks.”

“You can open our gifts after I get it going.”

“Sounds good.”

I caressed the side of her face for a second. It was the first time I’d touched her in what felt like forever.

She was soft.

Warm.

Comforting.

My gaze connected with my brothers, who were watching us from the couch with an expression I couldn’t place. I removed my hand, smiling at her as her eyes found Julius’s as well. It didn’t take long for us to be back in this crossfire.

Turning away, I opened the backyard door and turned on the light before stepping out onto the wooden porch. A cold breeze blew through, making me shudder. Or maybe, just maybe, it was a warning of what was still to come.

I looked over, shouting, “Fuck!” Not believing my eyes. “Julius!”

I couldn’t move.

My feet stuck to the floor beneath me.

Julius hurried to my side with Isla not far behind him.

“What’s wrong—” He stopped dead in his tracks, coming face-to-face with the reality that was our life.

There was Melody.

Our mother.

The woman who abandoned us.

With a fucking needle in her arm.

Isla gasped, and her hands flew to her mouth.

“Melody!” Julius sprang into action, falling to his knees at her side. He shook her, desperately trying to wake her. “Don’t do this! Don’t you fucking do this to us! Wake up!”

Nothing.

“Julius…” I rasped, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

“Kraven, call 911 now!”

My head fervently shook back and forth. “Julius…”

“Kraven, now!”

“Julius, please…” I begged, silently praying he knew what I needed.

That I wouldn’t have to say it.

“Kraven—”