Page 73 of Volatile Vice

I hold up a hand. “And I get what you’re trying to say. That you were behind bars and couldn’t protect her. But Falcon, there wasn’t anything you could’ve protected her from. Her illness… There was no way to reason with it. Beating it to death wouldn’t have helped. Trying to get it to see logic wouldn’t have helped.”

He rakes his fingers through his hair. “I know that. But still, I couldn’t be with her. Couldn’t come to her, comfort her…” He shuts his mouth.

“Protect her?”

He nods.

“Funny that I knew exactly what you were going to say. But didn’t we just have this discussion? You couldn’t have protected her from the illness.”

He narrows his gaze. “But the illness isn’t the problem anymore. Icanprotect her from you, Vinnie. From the life you lead.”

I hold up my hands. “Falcon, there’s nothing I’d like more than to protect her from myself. I mean her no harm, of course. I love her. I am completely and totally in love with her. Hopelessly in love with her. And because I love her, I’m trying to walk away.”

His eyes go wide.

“I’ve told her as much. In no uncertain terms. Apparently she hasn’t let you in on that.”

“No.” He meets my gaze. “But thank you.”

“I want you to think about something, though. Would you be able to leave Savannah? If it meant keeping her safe?”

“Christ, Gallo.” He closes his eyes, inhales slowly. “It would be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but yes, I could do it.”

“Then you understand my feelings.” I stand, pace around the area. “I’ve done a lot in my life. And a lot of it was very difficult.” I stop and turn toward Falcon. “But nothing is more difficult than walking away from your sister, Falcon. Walking away from what may be my one great love. But I’ll do it. And I’ll do it gladly. Well, maybe notgladly. But I’ll do anything to keep her safe, even if it means letting her go.”

He sighs. “You’re a good man, Vinnie.”

I look down. “You wouldn’t say that if you knew everything I’ve done.”

“You don’t know everythingI’vedone either,” Falcon says. “On the inside, you do what you have to in order to protect yourself. To protect your allies. Your cellmates. It wasn’t all pretty.” He takes another deep breath. “A lot of it I can’t think about. But you thinkI’ma good man, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t let you be with my sister otherwise,” I say.

“And I wish I could let you be with mine.” He frowns wistfully. “Maybe someday.”

I nod.

But I know the truth.

Raven will never be safe with me.

I used to think that maybe once I take my grandfather down, there’s hope for us to have a life together.

But now I can’t push a nagging thought out of my head.

I’ll do what has to be done. I’ll put an end to the family.

But that may mean putting an end to myself as well.

23

RAVEN

When I wake up the next morning, it’s time to tell my mother and father that I’m moving back to my own place.

I’m stunned when I find the police at our house, taking down the barriers to my room.

“What’s going on?” I ask my father.

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