Page 44 of Into the Light

“Hey sis,” my brother said. He looked different. His hair was cropped short and gelled back, but he looked as put together as he’d always had, wearing designer threads and polished, slick black boots.

“Walsh,” I responded coolly, gesturing to the seat next to me, not bothering to get up. He gripped his cup of warm coffee as he slid into the booth next to me before his eyes darted over to Santiago who was not so hidden.

“Your bodyguard?” he asked. I knew the implications of the question. Santiago wasn’t part of the Mafia, and Walsh knew it.

“From Ash,” I whispered. Santiago was a gift from Rain, not from Dad. Based on the wince on his face, Walsh understood I was not accepting the family’s help.

“Not from Dad . . .”

“I didn’t need any protection from Dad. Because the person that I needed protection from is sitting in front of me,” I stated, not letting Walsh see my hands shaking under the table. I was no longer the little girl who needed to be locked in the closet while he and Dad did the dirty work. Because I was a different Ember than Walsh knew growing up. Even from what Walsh knew when he brought me to Isles with Dad last year. I didn’t need saving, I needed answers.

“Are you ready to tell me what happened?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest.

“Nope.”

“I figured that’s what you were going to say which is why I came prepared.” I pulled out some of the photos that Rain had given me before I left.

“There are clearly two prints in the mud, Walsh.”

“That doesn’t prove shit, Ember.” But I saw through his mask. I saw him crack, just slightly.

“Walsh, I am your sister. We went through hell and back together and you won’t tell me what I already know. You were there, Walsh.”

“You don’t know that, Ember.” Walsh fidgeted with the cup in his hand.

“I do, but no one else does,” I whispered so I was out of earshot from Santiago and anyone else in the restaurant. I leaned in, pointing at the second pair of boot marks in the mud photo.

“Walsh, you are the only person around who has these specific sneakers. These are the GG imprints on them.” I pointed out, knowing my brother’s obsession for designer items and that he would be the only person to wear designer sneakers out in the woods.

“Those are not specifically made for me, Ember. Just because I own the same brand of shoe, doesn’t mean shit.”

“But no one else knows this, Walsh. You can tell me without saying anything else. I won’t tell anyone.”

“Except your new boyfriend,” Walsh mumbled, and I slammed a hand on the table.

“Excuse me?” I barked at him.

“Nothing, sis.”

“No, I need you to repeat what you said to me,” I demanded, my voice edged with frustration.

“It’s just that I’ve noticed you’ve been getting cozy with the new leader of the Den.” His words only fueled my anger.

“Stop having me followed, Walsh. You’re my brother. If you’ve got something to say, pick up the damn phone and say it,” I yelled, not caring who might overhear our heated exchange.

“I’ve tried. You don’t answer,” he replied, leaning back in his chair and taking a sip of his drink.

This time, I felt myself breaking down. Why he wouldn’t share what I already suspected and knew was beyond me. I wanted desperately to cry, to rage, to beg Walsh to tell me the truth, but I kept it in because I didn’t want to fall apart in front of him. I had done so much falling apart that it felt like it was finally time to hold it together.

Part of the reason for all this, was knowing Rain was right there with me, desperately seeking the truth. Knowing I could go to him after this, felt reassuring and only fueled this need to hold it all together and be strong.

“Please, tell me the truth, Walsh,” I begged as he fiddled with his hands. When he was a kid, this was always the first sign to our parents that he was anxious and didn’t know what to say. “I’m your blood. Dad and you always preached to me that blood was thicker than water. I just don’t get why you’re doing this now.”

Walsh closed his eyes and then finally opened them, gazing directly at me. All I could see was our mother, the way she used to implore us to stay close because in the world we lived, people would always try to pull us apart.

“I will tell you what I’ve told everyone, including Dad. I don’t know what you are talking about or what happened that night. Icannottell you what happened because I amprotectingyou.”

I lifted my brow. “If I find the truth, will you eventually tell me?”

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