Page 27 of Vulnerate

I’m not going to tell him I was high when he’s weird as fuck about drugs. If we do them in the house, he’ll calm down but anything outside or around other people and he acts like a sober coach.

I look at Tali, hoping my little brother, my twin in everything but age, believes me. A padded envelope slaps against my chest and Vlad crosses his arms over his chest as he orders, “Do the inside of your cheek, I’ve already got one from the baby.”

It won’t be my kid, I’m eighteen, for fuck’s sake. Just because my dick works doesn’t mean I’d automatically get someone pregnant. Especially not Dani’s fucking sister. She’s supposed to be the mother of my kids, not their aunt.I’ve never touched anyone without wrapping up, even if it was their hand, because the only person I’d feel bare is my girl.

The tube rolls out of the envelope as I tip it upside down. I just stare at it like I’ve been dropped on Earth for the first time. Is this why Dani left? She would have called or said something. Not just disappeared. The timing matches up, she’s been gone for eight months. But she wouldn’t cut Tali off, she’d have spoken to him at least.I can’t have a kid. I don’t even know anything. But that lying bitch has made everyone believe that her bastard kid is mine.

Unhappy with my lack of movement, Vlad takes the items from my hand and uses his non-bloody hand to swab the inside of my cheek.

“Stay here, I’ll be back as soon as I have the results.”

Picking up the other envelope from the bar, he fucks off. If looks could kill, Tali would be mass murderer from his stink eye, and I’m left alone with it as the front door slams.

“You’re a fucking prick. Why did you have to fucking hurt her? You couldn’t just keep your dick to yourself?”Tali throws his hands in the air and takes a step forward, ready to attack me. “Seriously?! You’re such a fucking dickhead! It’s not just your dick that’s cursed, everything about you is.”

I only focus on Dani as I step in front of him and ask, “Have you spoken to her?”

They’ve never gone a day without some form of communication, apart from when her parents died. My heart is beating too fast, and hope comes back. He shakes his head and punches me in the ribs with his full force, pushing me back.

“If I did I wouldn’t fucking tell you.”

He didn’t say no, that means she’s okay.

Hurt contorts his features and I’m a prick.

“She’s my best fucking friend,” he whispers, “my family. Do you actually realize how much you fucked me over? You’re the only person who I’ve told all my theories to, you might not believe me, but I know I’m right and nowyoutook my sister away.”

I wasn’t thinking about him, or anyone. It’s always been Daniela Carvalho, even when I was being a prick to the others it was to hurt them for what they did to her. Every person who tried to bully her, humiliate her, got it worse and I destroyed them.

I don’t know how to force him not to be pissed at me so I do the only thing I can think of and wrap my arms around him. He punchesme, trying to get me to move and I can’t find the words. We weren’t taught to say I’m sorry, we were taught the opposite, but Tali is the most normal out of our family and he cares about people.

“Get off me, you riddled fuck,” he grits. “I don’t want whatever disease you’ve picked up from that bitch.”

“I didn’t fucking touch her.”

The insult sticks to my skin and he manages to stop punching me at my denial. He deflates and still argues despite the fact he’s stopped hitting me.

“It doesn’t mean you’re not riddled. You’re cursed, man, and I hate you for taking her away from me.”

My arms fall, limply hanging at my sides. He actually believes it rather than being a joke. It’s there in his eyes as he steps back, and I bite my tongue to prevent hurting him verbally as he sits on the edge of the window seat.

I don’t remember anything before my little brother. It’s always been the two of us, my first memory is from his third birthday when Vlad took me to steal him a birthday present, and we used to sleep in the same bed because he’d get lonely in the middle of the night. I hated how hot my hand would be but he wouldn’t calm down unless I let him hold it all night. Those memories bring the need to apologize for something I didn’t do, but that’s not what comes out of my mouth as I take the seat opposite him.

“It’s not mine, Dani wouldn’t have left because of her sister getting knocked up. She’d stay here to be there for her.”

He nods, agreeing with me while staring at his shoes. Fuck, if he cries I’ll let him stab me in the leg or somewhere that isn’t fatal. As much as she’d be hurt by me, my artist is too good, and she would be excited about becoming an aunt.She wouldn’t leave her family and the next words burn knowing how true they are.

“She wouldn’t leaveyou,” I say.

Tali lifts his head and his lips twist as he whispers low and filled with emotion. “But she did.”

It’s easy to forget how deeply he feels things when he’s always happy and stuffing his face. My voice is weak, and I lean forward out of habit expecting Len or Anika to be behind me as I ask, “Do you want me to get you a burger?”

It’s his favorite comfort food and I’ll make it myself if it stops his lips twisting. He’d do the same thing when we’d have to fight, and he was trying not to cry. He shakes his head and takes a controlled breath forcing a smile on his face.

My little brother is back when he looks up, giving me shit. “I thought Vlad was going to kick your ass when you said it could be his kid.”

A shiver works through me, and I flex my shoulders getting it to leave as I let the thought out. “Fuck that. Imagine that psycho reproducing? It would be like a little demon bathing in blood.”

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