Chapter 16
HE’S FINDING HIS WAY BACK
PATIENCE
In my desperation to avoid Jacob, I’ve somehow found myself in another overcrowded airport, accepting a family dinner invite from my mother. Proof I’ve officially lost all good sense.
Mom was smart, using my brother against me, knowing he is the one reason I’d return to Bristal before the end of my summer program. The hook was baited, and I fell for it. Mila might say Alex is fine, but how well does she actually know him?
He’s my brother. I won’t trust all is well until I see it with my own two eyes. Especially since he’s been back at Sigma House.
Growing up, I relied on him as my one safety net.
In return, I was his tether to reality. The one person who saw something more than a legacy for the House or a killer.
Being away for as long as I have, there’s been no one to remind him of the world that exists outside of my father’s demands or the House’s orders.
It’s my responsibility to him to do that.
Which is why I find myself boarding a plane the second time this summer.
The line is slow-moving, and it’s not my parents’ private jet, but at least they booked me a spacious seat in the front. I’d consider it kindness if I didn’t know them any better. Mom is quietly trying to remind me of what they give me when I do as I’m told.
What she still fails to realize is that no amount of comfort is worth the price I’ll pay for it.
Either from my flesh or worse, through marriage.
I wasn’t exaggerating when I told Violet about how common arranged marriages are within Sigma House.
And while I downplayed it for Violet’s sake, making it sound like escaping it was as simple as one person being unavailable, that’s not the case.
It takes something serious for those types of arrangements to be broken.
And while yes, Chastity is dating someone, it was Alex’s stint at Montgomery that actually got him out of that contractual marriage.
At least, for now.
If I had to guess, my parents will continue to plot and manipulate until they find someone they deem worthy of him—their golden child.
My stomach sours at that thought. What if that’s the real reason they’re summoning me back to Bristal for the night?
They’ve found someone for him. Or worse, me?
At least Alex will fight it. They might even allow him the out considering what he’s been through.
But I have no real stance on the matter.
The fact that I’m twenty and living on my own means nothing. As Mom likes to remind me, my life isn’t mine.
I pull out my phone and skim through my texts again. Nothing new from Mom since this morning when she confirmed Alex will be there tonight. At least in that regard, I won’t be alone.
Someone slides into the seat beside me on the plane, and it takes me a moment to look up. It isn’t until I get a hint of apple spice cologne that my gaze snaps to the man sitting beside me.
Jacob smirks, smoothing his hands over his pants as he gets comfortable. “Hello, Patience.”
“Are you stalking me?”
“Would you like me to be?” He winks, sending my insides tumbling.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Why are you here?”
We haven’t spoken one-on-one since his office, and him beside me on the plane is too much. It reminds me of before he was my professor. When I thought he was just a man I couldn’t stop thinking about.
“I have a dinner meeting in Bristal.” His answer is as nonchalant as his tone.
“And you just happened to be on the same flight as me?”
“Or you just happened to be on the same flight as me.”
“I’m not stalking you.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you were.” His grin is blinding.
This man is going to destroy me to the point I’ll never recover. “How is it you have a dinner meeting in Bristal the same night I do?”
“We could go in these circles all night, Patience. Or you could just accept it as coincidence.”
I’m sure to him, this is a coincidence. Albeit a bit far-fetched, considering this is how I met him. But Jacob isn’t Sigma Sin, so he doesn’t understand how much manipulation I’ve witnessed in my life. Too much to trust that anything happens by chance.
I sink back in my seat and try to ignore this feeling rattling in my chest. “When do you return to LA?”
“Around eleven.”
My eyes widen. “Tonight?”
“Tonight.” He smirks. “Let me guess, we share that plane as well?”
“Coincidence,” I repeat the word, but it’s starting to feel less and less possible, regardless of his distance from Sigma House.
Jacob hums, watching me. “Why are you headed to Bristal for the night?”
“My parents summoned me for a family dinner.”
“You don’t sound thrilled about that.”
“I’m not. My parents are… complicated people.” I choose my words carefully.
On a plane to Bristal, who knows who could be listening.
“I can relate to that.”
“You aren’t close with your family?”
He shakes his head. “Not particularly.”
No elaboration. I suppose I can’t judge him, considering I didn’t bother going into details about my family life either.
“Buckle up.” His gaze drops to my lap. “There’s a storm over Bristal; the ride might get bumpy.”
His tone is commanding yet calming. And I realize that his presence had me completely forgetting I was even sitting on a plane until that comment.
“Wonderful,” I grumble, buckling myself in.
“Don’t worry.” Jacob slides a hand onto my thigh like there’s been no time at all between his office and this moment, like there’s nothing inappropriate about it. “I’ll distract you, Patience Lancaster.”
And he does, without needing to so much as say anything. Because when Jacob is beside me, all I think about is him.
My stomach swoops as the plane takes off, and he laces his fingers through mine, and he holds my hand the entire flight while I stare out the window, wondering what in God’s name I’m doing.
Mila hasn’t responded to my texts today, so I decide to drop by the dorm before heading to my parents’ house for dinner. Anything to put off the inevitable. But as I pull into the dorm’s parking lot, I spot Alex standing outside, leaning against his car.
His dark-blond hair blows in the slight breeze, and his posture is relaxed, like he’s patiently waiting for something.
I park the car beside him and climb out.
“Alex?” My eyebrows pinch. “What are you doing here?”
He’s supposed to meet me at our parents’ house since I was planning to drive straight to and from the airport. I never told him I was dropping by the dorm room first, so I can’t be the reason he’s here.
Movement from the building catches my attention, and my question is answered in the form of Mila walking outside.
She’s in her usual short summer dress, but slightly dressier than normal.
And for a second, I think maybe it’s a coincidence that she’s walking toward us, until Mila pushes her hair off her shoulders, and I realize how my brother is looking at her.
I assumed them spending time together was out of friendship or obligation, but the blush that climbs her cheeks when her gaze meets his tells a different story. And when her eyes dart to where I’m standing beside my car, the color drains from her face.
“Patience?” Mila winces slightly. “I didn’t know you’d be here this weekend.”
Guilt.
It’s written all over her face. Mila has feelings for my brother, and she’s been hiding them.
Ice shoots through my veins as that sinks in, and not because of the secret they’ve been keeping. Not even because my best friend has been seeing my brother. But because I know him.
I love Alex. He’s the only person in my life who has been there for me unconditionally. But he’s capable of terrible things. He’s shed blood. Taken lives. Done worse than the things that were done to him.
Mila involving herself with a Sigma Sin member is one thing, but my brother is downright dangerous.
“I came to town to have dinner with the family. I’m taking a flight back to LA later tonight, so I didn’t say anything.” My gaze moves from Mila to Alex. “What are you guys—are you—”
I already know the answer, but my mind is resisting it. Even as Alex watches Mila like she’s the center of the universe. Or worse, his prey.
“Oh my god.” Heat drains from my cheeks as I take a small step back.
All around me, my friends are sinking in Sigma House quicksand, while I’m fighting for my life to escape.
“I can explain.” Mila steps toward me, but as she tries to walk past my brother, he snags her hand, stopping her at his side.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen Alex touch someone on purpose. At least, not unless he was beating them to a pulp.
It got worse after his failed trial left him physically scarred on parts of his body. To the point where the doctors assumed he had haphephobia. But here he is, holding Mila’s hand, keeping her at his side, and not flinching as her hand rubs his forearm.
“When did this happen?” I slam the car door, trying to keep my composure. “How did this happen?”
“I didn’t mean for you to find out like this.” Mila shifts on her feet, not letting go of my brother’s hand. “When Alex was in Montgomery—”
“This started while he was in the psychiatric ward?” I cut her off, my eyes widening.
I was still here at that point. How did I miss it? Why does it feel like I’m suddenly in the dark about everything?
“It wasn’t like that then,” Mila says.
“But it is now?”
“It’s just—” Mila closes her eyes, taking a shallow breath. “Everyone was gone. Alex was here. We started spending time together, and it just happened.”
“He’s my brother.” And clearly, I know nothing about him anymore.
It’s one thing for him to keep secrets from everyone else. To shut everyone else out. But me? When did I get set on the outside of his life? And why has he let my best friend in?
“I know. And I’m sorry about that. But it doesn’t change how I feel about him.”
“How do you feel about him?” I ask, dreading her answer.
Girls always found Alex attractive in school. They would flock, trying to catch his attention. But that was only because they never understood how dangerous he is. Mila doesn’t know what she’s getting into.
She glances up at Alex, and her lips purse like she’s searching for an answer. And I wonder if maybe I’m pushing too hard because she doesn’t seem to want to admit what he means to her. Which, if anything, only tells me exactly how much she cares.
She’s been my best friend since we started at Briar, and even when she was dating Marco, I never saw her look at anyone like she’s looking at him.
Alex tips her chin up, tracing the line of her jaw and staring into her eyes like he cares about her.
Loves her even?
“You don’t need to explain yourself to anyone.” Alex’s voice has my blood running ice cold in my veins.
It’s been years since he’s said a word.
To the point where I didn’t even know if he had a voice anymore. And here he is, talking to Mila like it’s any other day.
Alex turns to me, and my cheeks drain of any remaining color. “If you have any questions about my relationship with Mila, feel free to interrogate me, sis.”
Sis.
I never thought I’d hear that again. It cracks something in my chest. My jaw slacks, and my eyes widen.
My brother is back. Somehow, in some way, he’s returned to me.
“You’re—” Shaking my head, I can’t speak as the first tear slips out. It feels foreign on my cheek. A wet streak of emotion when I’m so careful never to let my feelings show anymore. But here, in this moment, I don’t care about appearances.
My brother is speaking again.
“You’re talking.” Without thinking, I close the space between us and throw my arms around his neck.
I can’t help it. Neither of us is affectionate, but if I don’t grab on to him, he might slip away like everything else.
For years, I’ve felt the teeth of our family name rip us to pieces while Sigma Sin rotted us from the inside out.
But in this moment, I have my brother with me, and that’s all that matters.
Alex wraps an arm around my back, not letting Mila go with his other hand, and I don’t care. This half hug is more than he usually offers and all I need if it means he’s some fragment of himself again. Sobs shake my chest as tears wet his T-shirt. I’m a mess in his arms.
After everything, he’s finding his way back to me.
I’m still shaking when I take a step back, wiping my wet cheeks. It’s nearly impossible to pull myself together, but I straighten my spine and clear my throat. Fighting for air when Alex just sucked it all from the universe.
“You’re talking,” I repeat, like that can make it real.
Alex nods.
“I didn’t even know if you could speak after what they did.”
“No one knew,” he says. “They still don’t.”
My eyes dart between Alex and Mila. “You’re only talking to her?”
He nods again.
“And you’re…” I glance at where my brother and Mila are still holding hands. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Alex?”
“I’m not taking advantage of him if that’s what you’re worried about.” Mila’s defenses are on full alert because she doesn’t realize that’s not why I’m asking the question.
My gaze snaps to my brother. “That’s not what I’m talking about.”
And he knows it.
“I’m fine,” he says, and I hope I can believe him.
“Okay.” I leave it at that. “I guess we’re all going to dinner then? Do Mom and Dad know she’ll be there?”
“No.”
This should be interesting. The fact that Mila was at his side under the pretenses of friendship sent my mother into a tailspin, but if he walks in holding her hand, my mother might lose all composure.
“I can stay here if I’m interrupting. It seems like it might be a family thing.” Mila tries to pull away from Alex, but he doesn’t let her. “I doubt your parents even want me there, Alex. I wasn’t invited.”
“Don’t worry,” I respond for him, knowing we’re in this now, whether we like the outcome or not. “They don’t want me there either. And I got an invitation.”
“Besides.” Alex tips Mila’s chin up. “I want you there.”
“So, this is real then?” I ask. “You two are actually happening?”
“We are.” Mila is the one to answer.
No pause this time. The truth bleeding between us. Which means there’s only one thing we can do, and that’s see how this goes.
“And to think, I was going to stay in LA and skip this dinner.” As much as I hate being here, they’re going to need me tonight.