Page 140 of The Silent Note

That much became clear tonight.

We’re all lunatics. All of us. I’m certainly not a saint. You don’t grow up with a father as rich and famous as Jarod Cross without earning some serious personality flaws. Mostly in the form of not caring about rules because they rarely apply.

But Sol made a big leap from faking a death to actually attempting murder—whether it was just to scare Hall or not.

He told us every bit of his deeds matter-of-factly. Even the part where he held a knife to Hall’s neck in the dark and considered slashing his throat. He didn’t though, which he made a point to emphasize, but I don’t think any of us were assured by that.

In the end, we all kind of rolled with it. Dutch seemed resigned about Sol’s new murder-y tendencies. Finn just wore his usual blank expression.

I’m the only one who freaked out.

At least outwardly.

I noticed my twin pulling Sol aside and asking him if he’d consider returning to therapy. I expected Sol’s response to be ‘no’, but I’m proud of Dutch for trying anyway.

“He should have been back by now,” Finn says, checking his watch.

“Are you worried about Sol or is it something else?”

“What else could it be?” Finn stiffens.

“Maybe you finally asked Jinx out and she said no?”

“You’re an idiot,” he says, a little too tersely.

My laughter dies in my throat. Finn is the brother who always keeps things close to the chest. Hell, Dutch is ablabbermouth compared to him. But he’s clearly breaking down. I keep getting the feeling that my brother needs me now more than ever.

“Finn, what the hell, man?” I realize I’m talking too loudly when Grey shifts in her seat. Lowering my voice so I don’t disturb my wife, I add, “Something’s going on with you.”

His jaw hardens.

“Stop torturing yourself and just spit it out.”

“Not everyone has the luxury of spitting out exactly what comes to their heads, Zane.”

“Maybe you should try it for once.”

He remains silent. Like a freaking stone.

I change the subject. “Did you hear? Dad’s announced he’s running for governor.”

An eyebrow twitching, Finn slumps into his chair. “I know.”

“He called you. Which means he wants to see us.”

Finn’s chest expands with a big breath. He stares at the floor like he has the world on his shoulders.

“Finn?”

He looks up, his hair disheveled and his eyes red-rimmed.

“Did dad say something to you?”

He shakes his head and goes back to sulking.

I give up on talking to my brother and turn my attention to Grey. Her long lashes and lush lips are like a painting hung in the center of a museum in Italy or Rome. One of those exclusive, quiet places mom used to drag us to when we were kids.

Sometimes, looking at her makes me feel like I’m strapped in a rocket, hurtling toward outer space. Like I’m entering this whole new world, one that could drag me into a black hole if I’m not careful. And yet, the risk is worth it just because I get to see the world from a higher, better view.

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