Page 99 of Dirty Legacy

“Go check on your sister.” Angie touches my cheek and kisses me. “I’ll be here.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ll go see how my mother’s holding up.”

“Of everyone, I think she got through that mess the most unscathed.”

“Probably because her brain’s so fried from years of smoking weed.”

I stand but hesitate. I hate being away from Angie now. I came close to losing her and the idea of walking away is painful, but I can’t win this war while sitting on the bed. If I want her to be truly safe, if I want our child to grow up healthy⁠—

I have to find a way through.

I leave Angie and head down the hall. Rowan’s door is closed like always. I knock, wait, but there’s no answer. I announce that I’m coming in and open it.

Rowan’s lying on the bed. She’s got earbuds in, her feet up on the wall, head toward the door, hair splayed around her. I think she’s still in the same clothes from the day before. I move into the room until she can see me. She scowls and doesn’t take out the buds.

“Hey, I want to talk.”

She says nothing.

“I know you’re having a rough time⁠—“

She rolls her eyes and looks at the ceiling.

At another time, a younger version of me might’ve gotten mad at that. Instead, I crouch beside the bed and touch her wrist. She flinches away.

“When you’re ready, come talk to me or Angelina. I know you’re struggling. We’re here when you need us.”

She chews her lip and turns her head. “Thanks.”

That one word sends a shiver of relief down my spine. Rowan goes back to studying the ceiling and ignoring me, but at least she heard.

I back out of the room and pause in the hall. It’s cool and dim. I hear Dad and Danielle talking a few doors down and the sound of Dawn’s television on too loud. I lean a hand against the wall to steady myself.

All this teetered. Everything I worked for, all my blood and sweat, everything I care about, nearly gone. Deck almost took her. Deck almost stole my heart.

God damn him, fucking Deck.

My fingers curl as rage pulses in my core.

We grew up together. I looked at him like a mentor when I was younger. I know he struggled when I took over the family, but over time I managed to win him over.

When did he turn? When did he decide family meant less than dirt?

My phone buzzes. I hesitate, slipping it out, and check the screen before raising it to my ear. “I was wondering when you’d call.”

“Finding time hasn’t been easy.” Sinead’s voice is strained. She sounds almost as stressed as I feel. “I need you to know that I couldn’t stop it.”

“I find that hard to believe. You know, I’ve been asking myself. Did you call that meeting to make sure I wasn’t in the house?”

“The opposite. When I realized what was happening, I canceled so you’d go back. I’m sorry for your family, Connor.”

“I’m not sorry for what I did to your brother.”

Her voice lowers and there’s a sharp note. “I didn’t expect you to be. I’m not a fool. I understand the risks we take in this life. Fergus did what he did and now he’s gone. I won’t ever forgive you.”

“Good. I hope not.”