Page 44 of Unconditional

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she hissed.

It was really more Milo who made a show of getting a rise out of our sister, but I was fed up.For years we’d all been at the mercy of Kyle and the only one who seemed to be content to just deal with it was Bri.I was sick and tired of being stuck under the filthy boot of our uncle and I sure as hell wasn’t going to sit around and put up with Briauna’s shit, either.

“Sure.Just like you tried so hard to stop all of this from happening to begin with, right?”

I knew I shouldn’t have said it.Knew that it would give away the weakness I was feeling, knew that she would know I was beginning to defect.But there was so much building up inside of me that it felt like if I didn’t speak up now, I was going to explode.Vaguely I could see Misely in my peripheral, her back stiffened as she listened in on my conversation.

“Talon, I amwarningyou.You need to get your shit together.”The threat sounded so similar to the one I’d issued our brother not too long ago.The familiarity sent an unwanted tremor down my spine.No.I didn’t want to do this anymore.Once I made sure that Leo and Kenna were safe, I was out.

“Or what, Bri?What are you going to do?”

“It’s not me that you have to worry about, you brick head.You know that.You have a kid and I swear to god if you—”

There was a pinch of something in her voice.Concern?I shoved that thought away.The only thing Briauna MacArthur was concerned with was herself and that bottom dollar.

She cleared her throat before I could interrupt her, sharp venom lacing her every word.“You and Milo are fucking everything up, Talon.Get.It.Together.”And then she hung up, leaving more questions hanging in the air.

“Your sister?”Misely leaned into the doorway of the bathroom, her arms crossed over her chest.She’d painted herself up real pretty, her ashy blue eyes vibrant against heavy black lashes.As usual, her outfit reflected the sass of her personality.Denim that hugged every curve and dip of her long legs, a shirt that seemed entirely too short to be practical for the season, and a baggy knit sweater thing that hung off her shoulders.

I nodded, my lips thinning.“Yeah, I should check in with Kenna.”

I needed to make sure Leo was okay, that she had succeeded in getting him out of town with so little time to prepare.Misely didn’t question me about the phone call further, only nodded in silent encouragement.

Kenna answered on the third ring, her voice almost as sharp as my sister’s had been.“What?”

“Kenna, it’s me,” I said with a sorry excuse for a calm approach.

“I’m aware.”

“Did you guys get out?”I didn’t care if she was being short with me, she had every right to, all things considered.

There was a pregnant pause before she reluctantly answered.“Yes.And not a single one of us is happy about it.My husband took us to his great aunt’s in…you know what, don’t worry about it.I expect answers, Talon.”

“I know.”I just didn’t know how much I could give her without making the situation worse.“As soon as this is over, I’ll call you.Stay where you are.”

She huffed.“Yeah, and for how long?It’s not like we can stay here forever.Leo has school and his sister has appointments.”

“As long as you can.If you have to go back before I reach out, call me.Give me a chance to try to fix this first.”

“You told me you wouldn’t let this happen, Talon.When I told you I was pregnant, you said that you couldn’t be involved because of thisshit.”She was whispering frantically now, the sound echoing off the receiver like she had cupped her hand over the phone.

“I know.I did everything I could to keep this away from both of you.”The regret and guilt sat heavily on my shoulders.

“Do better.”And this time, Kenna hung up on me.

When Misely crossed the room and took the phone out of my hand, I guessed I must’ve been sitting there for a while.She dropped it on the nightstand beside me, then cupped my cheeks in her tiny hands.I shivered at the feel of her soft palms against my scruff and the gentle way she scraped the tips of her nails through the hair there.

“Talon?”she murmured, urging me to look at her.When I did, concern I knew I didn't deserve was etched in her expression.“What are you thinking?”

A loaded question.I was thinking a lot of things.It was obvious by the way she was looking at me that she would pry if I didn’t answer and frankly, I didn’t have the energy to argue about it.

“I’m thinking that I don’t have any more time to waste.I have to get Milo.”

Misely flinched.I guess that wasn’t the answer she wanted.“And then what?”

“I don’t know.”

“Talon—”

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