Page 94 of The Killer Card

“If that’s what you’re going to make me do,” he shrugs. “Yeah. Elias and I have invested too much in you now to just watch you waste your life away. Although, maybe putting you in the vest makes more sense…” He assesses me as if trying to take my measurements. “A helmet too.”

I cut off another bite of pancakes with the side of my fork, drenching it in syrup. “You’re ridiculous, cabrón.”

Rowan shrugs, lifting his mug to me. “And you’re going to rehab tomorrow.” I freeze mid chew, glaring at the shit eating grin on his face. “Elias and I have already set it all up, pre-paid and everything. Best facility money can buy.”

I shove another bite in my mouth. “I fucking hate you.”

“No, you don’t,” he smirks. “Enjoy those pancakes. They’re the last you’ll get for a while.”

He’s right, I don’t hate him. How could I? I’m only alive because of him. Because of them both.

They are my family.

The family I chose when the one I was given let me down. I’d move Heaven and Earth for them. The least I can do is go to rehab, get clean, and prove to someone I really was worth it. That I am worth more alive than dead.

2 Years Ago

Chapter Thirty-One

Graham

"So,” I lean back, taking my drink with me. “There you have it. The whole fucking story.”

Elias looks beyond concerned, Rowan slightly guilty as he rakes a hand over his shaved head. “Mierda…” He releases a heavy sigh. “Is she going to be okay? Do we need to call someone—”

“I plan to send an anonymous tip to CPS and the local police first thing tomorrow,” I tell them. “Preferably from one of your phones if you’ll let me? I don’t know if it’s ever been done before and he’s just gotten away with it because of his position, but I can’t just do nothing.”

I suck at my teeth, still just holding the sweating glass between my palms. “Luckily, I don’t think she’s in any danger of him killing her. They’ve been together over fifteen years, and she didn’t seem too afraid.”

“But she’s also used to it,” Elias shook his head. “God, that poor woman. Graham, you can’t just take what she reveals as gospel—”

“I know, Eli,” I look up at him. “I don’t need a lecture from you about domestic abuse, okay? I lived it. I’m going to do what I can just short of going to prison for murder. Again. If nothing is done, I just… I’ll keep in contact. I’ll try to get her to leave him. I’m sure her older kids were left money from her first husband.” Just the thought him makes my grip tighten. “Maybe they’ll support her.”

I hope they will. They’d better after everything she went through to bring them into this world. Sonya was groomed to be the perfect trophy wife. She has no applicable skills that I can remember. Fuck, I was shocked to learn she even knew how to drive. I just pray the children she raised, the ones who would have grown up watching this man hurt their mother- who might even have learned the kind of man their father was- can help her out.

“I’m going to send her son a signed jersey from Cristian, and I’ll discreetly slip my number in there. Hopefully he reaches out. He sounded upset by our confrontation. Maybe he thought it was just between them again and will tell me everything if I can gain his trust—"

“You’re making a lot of assumptions about a nephew you’ve never met.” Rowan crosses his arms.

“Assumptions are all I have,” I sigh. “My sister is being abused. She’s been abused our entire lives and now that I know I’m not just going to pretend otherwise. I’m doing what I can within the bounds of the law.”

“Well,” Elias shrugs. “Aside from assaulting a cop.”

“Yeah…” I drag my hand through my hair. “That was admittedly really stupid. To be fair, I didn’t know he was a cop when I hit him.”

My friend sighs, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “We know, Graham. You were defending your sister. No one can fault you for that.”

“The Vegas Police Department can,” Rowan corrects.

“Okay,” Elias amends. “No one in this room can fault you for that. Five grand is nothing compared to a sister. Yours is lucky to be alive. Let’s find a way to keep it that way. I’ll ask Mateo if he can work pro bono. We’ll find out if she’s willing to go through with a divorce. I’ll even pay the fees if I need to, anything to help.”

Tears fill my eyes and he squeezes my shoulder. “Hey,” I look up at him. “We take care of our family, Graham. You’re my family, and she is yours. Which makes her mine too. We’ll help you out.”

Nodding, I sniff back tears, swallow my watered-down drink and rise to my feet. I pull him into a tight embrace, “Gracias, amigo.”

“Just stop getting arrested, yeah?” Elias asks. “Especially on the nights of super important, life changing events?”

“Speaking of which,” Rowan finishes his drink. “I have a beautiful blond with my ring on her finger waiting in my bed.” He pats me on the shoulder. “I’ll see you assholes in the morning. Oyé, Graham, don’t cause any more trouble.”