Page 46 of End It All

"A bad past," I answered. "That's all anyone needs to know."

The more I talked, the more my shit would be out there. I knew how people were. They could appear nice, but they could also turn and snap on you. What relationship you once thought was kind and supportive, could be toxic sludge. I'd had enough of people stabbing me in the spine.

Benito finally sighed. "Fine, I'll figure it out. Don’t worry, I can definitely find you some work."

"All right. Deal."

We clinked our glasses together and it felt like a connection had been forged. I was still unsure about my brothers, and the other three were a complete mystery, but it was starting to feel like I had someone in my corner. Even if I was still cautious as hell about it.

"Okay," Melony said as she walked out of the room and hiked her bag up over her shoulder. "Quincy is stable. Yes, he has a concussion and a few of the cuts he received were very deep. I've stitched them and stopped the bleeding, but he's going to be weak for the next week or so. He needs around the clock monitoring, pain meds, antibiotics, and a sedative to keep him calm." She sighed. "I've treated him before and he's a nightmare. The minute he can get up, he will. Even if it means he'll kill himself."

Harlow swore. "Shit, I'll take care of him."

I stood up from the barstool I'd plopped down on. "No, I've got it." When Harlow turned on me, I swallowed hard. "You have a baby to take care of and stuff. I'm already here, so I can do it."

His eyes narrowed as he took a step toward me. "What the hell do you know about him? I've helped him after a thousand situations like this before, I can do it again. You have no clue what it's like to deal with those fucking jackals that?—"

As Harlow sucked in a breath, Benito laid a hand on his shoulder. He squeezed, and I watched as Harlow sagged against him.

Clearly, he knows what's going on and I'm left in the dark.

"Do you really think that will help right now?" I found myself biting out. "All it's going to do is give him false hope that you actually give a fuck about him. We both know he's in love with you. Shit, I'm sure everyone knows!"

Harlow's jaw dropped, and I took a step back on instinct as he moved forward. Benito snatched him up, pressing Harlow's back against his chest. As the long-haired male glared at me, I swallowed hard and wished I had taken a few hundred more shots. Being dead from that was probably better than being murdered by my brother's husband.

"Well, whoever decides to step up needs to take it seriously," Melony said as she moved over and sat pill bottles on thecounter. "Pain, sedative, antibiotic. I've written the instructions down here," she said as she laid a piece of paper under them. "He's a little upset and that leads to more distress, so just keep with the medicine routine, okay?" She glanced around. "He'll be okay. That much I can promise you."

"Thank you," Benito said. "I'll send over the payment."

She nodded. "Add on the additional fee for the late night aspect of it all." She groaned. "I have a girlfriend now. And if Chelsea finds out I slipped out of bed, she's going to be so fucking mean for the next few days. You have no idea what lesbian rage looks like. Hint, it's not pretty. Also it's very passive-aggressive."

"No one told you to make her yours," Benito teased.

"Fuck you! I'd do it all over again. But the silent treatments and scooting over just out of reach in bed can really get to you..."

Benito walked her out as I stared at the note and the meds. At least she had written out clear instructions. I felt eyes boring into the side of my head and finally I couldn't help but to look at Harlow.

"What was that shit?" he hissed. "Quincy isn't in love with me anymore."

I raised a brow. "Yeah, and he's also not broke, depressed, and out of control. What do I know? I only see him go through the shit even when he doesn't think I do. Go look at the broken bathroom mirror and tell me he’s okay. Pretty sure he’s why we don’t have one anymore.”

Harlow's lips parted before he snapped them shut again. Benito returned and wrapped a hand around Harlow's arm.

"We need to get going. Gianpaolo is watching our baby, but he has kids of his own to get back to. He's texted me that about ten times." He sighed. "If you need anything, call me."

"My phone is broken," I muttered. "The one Quincy gave me. I ditched the one Cesare bought."

"Good, you're smarter than you look." He pulled out his phone and texted before he put it away again. "Someone will bring you one within the next hour, so don't go to bed. Keep it close to you."

"Yeah," I said with a nod. "Okay."

Benito slammed his big hand onto my shoulder. "If Melony said he's going to be okay, then he will. Okay?"

"Yeah, sure."

"And you owe me for her visit. So your first job is free," he said, a grin on his face. "Welcome to the family, little brother."

I wanted to object, but there was no time as he escorted his husband out of the apartment. Harlow returned before I could lock the door.