in my life, his low tone scares me. “You’ve been there two days and they’ve brainwashed you already? You gonna believe them over your own brother, your own blood?”
“Jesus Rex,” I shout. “When the fuck was our father a Saint? When the hell did he deserve this kind of going-to-Hell blind devotion? You can’t say one hundred percent that he didn’t rape Della. You’ve never talked about the possibility. Is it because you know he may have? You’re afraid of what you might find at the end of your thoughts. He was a drunk, Rex. You saw how he treated me, how much he hated women because Mom left him. Somewhere inside you, you must question if Della’s accusations are truths.”
Abruptly a hand cracks across my face. A fierce stinging sensation causes a shriek to be pulled from between my lips as I stumble to the side, my body slamming into the bathroom wall. I don’t fall. My hand moves fast to hold me up as black dots dance in front of my vision. I squint and glance around as I hear shuffling and grunts, and assume Corey is holding Rex back, but when my vision finally clears I find Mackson pushing Rex up against the wall, his forearm against Rex’s throat, my brother sputtering trying to breathe.
My brother hit me.
My chest constricts painfully, as if Rex reached in and crushed my heart with his bare hands, leaving nothing but ashes in his wake.
Chapter Six
Lana
“You hit me.” I can hear the disbelief in my own voice, even as my left cheek throbs with pain, my thoughts rebel against the idea.
Rex kicks out with his legs, determined and relentless. Mack steps back and my brother falls, but he recovers quickly, not unhurt though, he grabs for his thigh and he grimaces in pain.
“You ever lay a hand on her again and I promise you, a bullet wound will feel like child’s play,” Mackson’s voice drips with warning.
Corey steps up and tries to help him, but Rex pushes Corey off and sets his angry eyes on Mack, his lip curling in anger, but then he directs that hateful stare at me. “A steel knife in my heart, sis, that’s what you just did.”
“Right back at you, brother,” I say, my chin quivering and in the same moment I can’t hold back my tears any longer. I can’t breathe. Life as I know it is now over but I refuse to give in.
I wipe quickly at my face and watch as Rex flinches.
Finally, a sign, a piece of him is still in there.
“This ends now, Rex. We’re going home and I’m going to get you help, real help this time. I want my big brother back. I should’ve never let you get this bad…” I take a deep breath “…I promise, no more looking the other way.”
He’s obviously been using something behind my back. All this time I blamed grief when it was probably drugs.
“The Kings took another family member from me today,” he seethes. “I promise this is far from over.” Rex walks toward the exit and my heart pounds heavily against my chest. I’m going to lose my brother. I promised I’d fight harder, do better, I can’t let him leave without knowing the truth.
“It was Della.” The words are out before I take my next breath. The world around me turns from gray to color as I envision the future. One which shows me if what I’m about to do will be the right or wrong thing. Every bone in my body is demanding me to wage war, no matter the risks or costs. Isn’t that what you do for family? That’s what the Kings have done, they chose the path, which would protect their sister and by God I will choose the same for my brother.
Rex fights a distorted reality, one where his enemies see clearly. I can’t fail to show him who he’s becoming, and I won’t lose him to those who tell themselves they’re doing what’s right when they are the ones who have filled my brother’s mind with lies.
Rex stops dead. I knew he would. Any mention of her and he can’t help himself. He doesn’t look at me though, he stays silent staring at the ground.
“Lana,” Mack growls, but I don’t look away from my brother. I’m desperate for him to hear me.
“Della killed Jae, she told me herself only moments ago.” Mack curses into the air, but I don’t stop. “He raped her, Rex.