Page 87 of All Your Lies
“I was scared. You know how it is in this family.”
“I’d never do anything. You have to know that. Is this why Vinny was so willing to betray our father and work both sides?”
“Yes. He was trying to protect me.”
“Did our father know?”
Marco looks sullen as he nods. “Why do you think he spent so much time with me? He was trying to change my mind.”
“Fuck,” Gage says as he rubs a hand down his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s all good,” Marco says as he walks to the door while wiping his cheek.
“Marco,” Gage barks. “I don’t care who the fuck you love as long as it’s not my girl. You will always be welcome, no matter what. I’ll kill anyone who says otherwise.”
A tear threatens to leak from my eye as I watch a shift happen in their relationship for the better. I knew Gage would understand.
twenty-seven
Alexa
“You didn’t have to come with me,” I say as I glance over at Gage in the driver’s seat. Rosie and Vic cut their honeymoon short and came home since Rosie wasn’t feeling well, so I wanted to go see her and make sure she’s okay. Gage decided he was coming before I even extended the invite. Not that I really mind.
“Already trying to get rid of me?” Gage asks with a grin.
“I didn’t say that,” I say as I give him a good up and down. He’s in dark denim jeans and a black Henley, which shows off the extensive gray and black ink on his upper chest and neck. I like this look on him. He looks relaxed and almost approachable compared to his usual imposing demeanor in three-piece suits.
“Vic, Trey, and I have business, and I’d like to see my sister. Make sure he’s still treating her well.”
“You know he is,” I say as I smile and shake my head. His endearing big brother protectiveness makes me long for a sibling of my own. I wonder how different my life would have been if I had someone to protect me like he’s done for Rosie.
“Yeah, well, I’m still pissed at him for keeping everything from me.”
“Doesn’t feel good, does it?” I joke, but his face immediately changes to a frown as he turns to me and places his hand on my thigh. I instantly regret my words.
“I’ll forever be sorry for lying to you.”
“I know,” I say, gazing out the window. I want to get past this. Past the hurt, past the uncertainty. All of us need to heal from one thing or another, but we can’t if it keeps getting brought up. I know I need to make a conscious decision to move past this, just as Gage needs to get past the way Marco hurt him.
I place my hand over his as I redirect my gaze back to him. “You know, what you did earlier probably made Marco’s whole year. You can tell your acceptance meant a lot to him.”
“I wish it would have come out a little differently. I feel like an asshole for pulling a gun on him and putting him in that position. Now, knowing what I know, that’s not the brother or person I’d like to be.”
“Is it at all surprising to you?”
“A little...” Gage says as he seems thoughtful for a second with a scrunch of his brow. “I never understood why Vinny sought me out the moment I got out. He was always so loyal to my father, but when I saw him, he practically begged me to let him come on and take him down. In the beginning, it was suspicious, but I gave him a chance, and he never faltered. Never did anything to make me question his motives.”
I nod, understanding. “His love for Marco made him seek you out. I’m positive he knew you’d be open-minded about Marco’s choice of love, just like I was sure you’d accept him.”
“Like I said, I don’t care who he loves. He’s my twin, and at one point, we were close. We all were,” Gage mutters, then shakes his head. “As long as he’s happy and treated well, that’s all that matters. Everyone deserves happiness. Even the worst of us.”
“Agreed,” I say with a smile.
“After we leave my sister’s, I want to take you to the club.”
My eyes widen at his quick change of thought. The club and his intentions for me at said club make my nerves run wild. “I don’t know—”
“Do you trust me?” he asks as he glances at me. I gaze out the window as I contemplate life recently. I do trust he won’t hurt me, but I don’t know if I trust his full honesty yet. Last night felt so right. It was the closest I’ve seen him act like the boy I once knew. And I promised myself I’d let the hurt go, but still.
