He broke her, after everything she’d been through and she snapped.”
Rex turns to me, his eyes desperately hating the words I’m saying, but I know my brother, they’re getting through. “Lies, they convinced her to lie about being raped and now they’ve convinced her to lie about killing him.”
“No!” I move toward my brother and both Mack and Corey step forward to protect me. “I saw the pain on her face, the guilt in her voice, it’s destroyed a piece of her. She’s devastated at hurting us this way.” I straighten my shoulders and in a stern voice I say, “Rex.” When his eyes dart to mine and I know I have his full attention I continue, “I saw the truth in her eyes. She did it to survive and also out of fear. Slater went back after Della told him what happened. What you saw was Slater leaving after finding our father dead, seeing for himself what Della told him.”
“She didn’t,” Rex says repeatedly as his hands run through his short hair in quick succession, to the point he’s tightly gripping at the strands and ripping hair out.
The bathroom door opens and we see Pacer stick his head inside and then glances over his shoulder and says, “Slate.” In no time both are in the bathroom crowding Mackson and me, making sure we’re unharmed.
Slater turns to Rex, shoulders tense. “If you want to talk let’s go somewhere else.”
Rex turns, his eyes darting around the bathroom as if only now realizing Slater arrived.
“It was Della?” Rex chokes out, his words directed at Slater.
Slater’s head jerks back and then his accusing eyes are on me.
“Don’t look at my sister,” Rex roars, his nostrils flaring.
I jump and I sense everyone else in the room tense.
Slater drags his gaze from me to Rex. “No. It was me, you saw me leaving there, I’ve admitted it. Now let’s get on with this shit, but not here.”
Rex doesn’t budge as Slater tries to move him along.
“The knife, my father, blood was everywhere, yet I don’t think I saw any on you.” Rex growls in frustration and then punches himself in the head. “Fucking, remember.”
I gasp, my hand covering my mouth attempting to muffle my shock.
My brother looks to Corey and then to me, his mouth agape, eyes wide. “You lying to me, sis?”
“No.” Fear grips my throat, but I know I must go on, continue down this path, it’s what’s right. “I swear Rex, Della told me herself, they’re trying to protect her from you. I told them you’d never hurt her, but they love their sister.” The last part comes out in a whisper as a jealous pang hits the center of my chest.
Warmth lands on my arm, my head whips up to find Mack. His hand slides down my arm and he threads his fingers through mine, knowing I need the strength. I don’t pull away for that reason, as much as I wish I didn’t need anything from him, right now, I need to be held up.
Rex limps to a stall and rests against it. “Leave,” he says in a hoarse, penetrating tone.
Slater spins toward me, anger beyond any I’ve seen in his eyes that are firmly directed to me.
“Slater,” Mackson growls. “Don’t fucking look at her like that. None of this is her fault.”
“Argh!” Slater’s whole body tenses, his veins popping as he stares at the ceiling for what I’m not sure.
Corey takes a step out of the shadows and toward Rex. “Lana, come on, let’s get Rex out of here.”
I untangle my hand from Mack, he doesn’t resist, but he does grab my hand again and squeeze. My eyes find Mack’s, his are sad and appear resigned. He shakes his head, not for me to stay, it seems more like an apology.
“No one leaves,” Slater exclaims, his voice penetrating the small space.
Pacer moves to stand in front of the bathroom door.
Adrenaline spikes through my body. My eyes dart back to Mackson, looking for an answer, but all he gives me is his back. He places his hands on the basin and lowers his head as if he can’t bear to watch.
Slater cracks his knuckles. “Now we need assurances or things are about to get ugly.”
Assurances?
Rex stands up straight, his eyes piercing Slater’s. “I won’t come after Della or anyone else.” Rex grasps my arm and we walk to the door. “Now fucking move.”
Pacer doesn’t move an inch.
“I’m not worried about you. I never have been. You’re not the only one