“Why not?”
“Is that a serious question?”
His empty gaze gives me the answer.
“You’re being charged with attempted second-degree murder, moron,” I state. “They’re not letting you out, especially after you ran from the police. Talk about a flight risk.”
“Don’t have to be a bitch about it,” he grumbles.
“You almost killed Colton,” I hiss.
That shot still rings out in my nightmares. I almost flinch from the memory, especially when his glare pierces me, but I refuse to expose a weakness. I just give my brother the glower he deserves.
Walker grunts. “Go fucking figure. You’re taking his side.”
“As if that wasn’t obvious when I didn’t flee the scene with you.”
“My own sister ratted me out,” he sneers. “Un-fucking-believable.”
I palm my forehead, trying to block his stupidity. “You incriminated yourself. There’s no denying it.”
Which is further proven as he chomps on nothing but his guilty conscience. “Pretty proud of yourself, huh? Got off without so much as a ticket. Is anyone coming to my defense?”
The hollow pang in my chest is an unanswered echo. “Wouldn’t know. They’re all gone.”
Walker goes deathly still. “What’d you mean?”
“Cops raided the compound after you shot Colton. Everyone scattered. Haven’t heard a peep and it’s been nearly a week.”
That makes him go quiet for a long moment. “Nobody stuck around?”
“Not that I’ve seen. Jax didn’t even bother to say goodbye.” Which should’ve hit me harder than it has.
If anyone stuck around after all hell broke loose, I would’ve put money on Jax. That money would’ve been lost. The three of us were as thick as literal thieves and often teamed up together. Trust is impossible in our line of work, but we relied on each other when it counted. At least until my brother went on a rampage and my so-called friend took off without even giving me a middle finger salute.
All I’ve ever known disappeared practically overnight. They were my family. We took care of each other, as best as a pack of criminals can. I suppose ditching each other comes just as naturally.
After the initial shock of abandonment wore off, a detached numbness spread. I’m upset but not devastated. In the following days, I’ve realized this is a blessing in disguise. For the first time in my life, I can choose my path.
“Well, shit.” Walker almost sounds remorseful. “What’re you gonna do?”
I straighten my shoulders. “For now, I’m planning a wedding.”
He eyes me skeptically and for good reason. I might be trying to go legit, but party planning is an extreme. It wouldn’t belong in my wheelhouse even if I got a complete personality transplant.
“Who’s getting married?”
My voice drops as I whisper, “Can you keep a secret?”
Walker looks ready to choose his jail cell over finishing this conversation.
“Colton and Bianca,” I chirp before he can holler at a guard.
His eyes bug out. “You’ve gotta be shitting me.”
I allow my smile to stretch to obnoxious proportions. “And their upcoming nuptials have made me realize anything is possible. Who knows what tomorrow might have in store for me?”
My brother has proven that the path we were on leads to a dead end. I want more for my future. And maybe I’ll finally get it.