Page 56 of Blinded By Loyalty
“Hey.” He sat up, grinning, and rubbed his hands together. “I’m starving. Hand it over.”
I glanced at the pizza boxes littering the table in the corner. “When did you last eat?”
“A few hours ago. Why?”
I tossed the bag on the bed in front of him and set the shake on the nightstand. “No reason. Just wanted to make sure you weren’t actually starving.” I sat on the edge of the other bed, facing him with my elbows on my knees. “So, how have you been?”
“Bored out of my fucking mind. I can’t wait to get out of this place. When you pay the debt, text me immediately, okay? I want to hit the beach and snag me a lady for the night.” He waggled his eyebrows, stuffing a handful of fries in his mouth. “I’m backed up, bro.”
“After this is all over and you unclog your pipe, what are you going to do? Do you have a plan?” Shit, I feared York would be right about Conrad, and he’d end up in deep shit by the end of the month.
“No idea. Probably enjoy my freedom for a while.”
Of course. I gritted my teeth, clasping my hands together.
“How’s your hotter-than-hot client? Did my awesome bro catch the bad guys?”
Awesome bro.I didn’t feel so awesome. Conrad had always had me on a pedestal and gushed over my awesomeness. He believed I saved him from the system. Sometimes I wondered if he’d been better off living with a family than me. What if I was the reason he was screwed up?
“Yo, Ax? What’s up, man?”
I cut my eyes to his. “Just got stuff on my mind. My client is good. Her stalker was apprehended last night.”
“Cool. So we can hang out tonight. You should have brought some booze with you.”
Dammit. I was off my game. Of course he’d want to hang out. And I couldn’t. Didn’t want to, if I was honest. Tonight was my last night, and I wanted to spend it with Simone. Fuck.
“Sorry, man. I can’t. I was just stopping in to check on you.”
“Seriously? You work too damn much. You need to enjoy life more. Get a girlfriend and have regular sex.”
If only I could…
I shrugged. “Gotta pay the bills.” I studied him as he stuffed his face. We both had our mother’s nose. It was the only feature we had in common. Everything else about us was different.
“Not true. You love your job, just admit it.”
It was now or never. After returning to Simone, I wouldn’t get another opportunity to see my brother. To tell him I loved him. So I let the words leave my lips unhindered.
“You’ll be okay when I’m gone.” I watched as he stilled and lifted his eyes to mine. “It’s a fucked-up world we live in. You need to make smarter choices. Keep your nose clean. I won’t always be around to save your ass.” I swallowed thickly. “I haven’t always been the best brother to you. I’m sorry. I did the best I could, but I know it wasn’t enough. It eats away at me every day.”
“Axel, man. What’s going on?” He tossed his food aside.
I raised my hand. “Let me finish. I need to know you’re going to make positive changes in your life. I need to know what I’m doing isn’t all for nothing.”
“What the fuck, man! You’re scaring me. Are you sick? You are, aren’t you?”
“Answer me, Conrad. Will you make better choices? Will you keep your nose clean?”
He jumped off the bed and paced with his hands on his head. “Motherfucker, you better tell me what the hell is going on.”
“Tomorrow isn’t promised. We don’t know when our number is up. I have no idea what I’m blindly walking into when I get to Atlantic City.” I launched off the bed and grabbed his shoulders. “I need to know you’ll be okay should it end badly. I love you.” I paused, trying to get control of myself. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. But, man, this all better not be in vain.”
Conrad stared into my eyes with confusion in his. I didn’t mean to tell him so much. He wasn’t stupid and might piece together what was really about to happen. I prayed he didn’t though.
“You think the Morosovs will kill you?”
“I’m just trying to be prepared for the worst.”