You Are Mine Little Sister (by Syra Tucker) novel Chapter 132

'I recognized you from the second I opened that door, Alan.' she'd said, calling me by the name she'd given me when I refused to give her mine. The name I never answered.

'Funny how you and Rali thought you could outsmart a mother's instinct.'

I'd gone quiet, trying to read her reaction. Trying to decide if there was a need for an exit. But her next words stunned me.

'I always had a feeling you were going to come back or stick around with her, at least. And to be honest, I'm glad you did come here to see her.

'Something tells me you're not completely a saint—don't bother denying it. Yet, there's just something about seeing you with Rali; this...deep knowledge that you'd protect her.

'You were my boy, Alan, before you ran off. But Rali is still my girl and I'm very fond of her. So, you need to promise me you'll never hurt her. You need to give me your word that no matter the circumstance, you're going to take good care of my baby.'

Rali had gone stiff behind me, tears glossing her exhausted eyes.

"She knew," she gave her head a small shake. "She recognized you and didn't get mad. So, there'd been no reason lying to her in the first place."

She swiped at the tear that raced her cheek, tossed the bloody swab into the bin and reached for a bandage. A vein popped on her forehead.

"She died knowing I lied about you. I should've just told her the truth. God, I feel so stupid."

More tears.

Her hands shook as the bandage hovered over my skin. I caught her wrist and held it there.

"She wasn't mad at me, neither was she at you. Stop making yourself the culprit, Rali."

"I just miss her." The words broke and kept breaking. "She was the kindest and most selfless woman I knew." A ragged sniff. "You know, back then, when you killed Pixie, daddy wanted to send you away, but she fought him and made sure you stayed. I bet if you'd stayed even after Jasper, she'd have protected you. She didn't deserve what happened."

Something snapped under my ribs. My grip tightened on her wrist before I made myself loosen it. I wasn't even sure she noticed.

"She always talked about mine and Veronica's wedding. About holding our babies at least once. She said she never got to hold babies. I was hoping I could give her that."

She folded into me and I wrapped her up, letting her sob on my chest.

"She didn't deserve it, Void. She didn't deserve what happened."

I shut my eyes and let the reel run: The blood. The screams. The pleas. They partly calmed the beast in me, at least enough not to hurl objects at the wall.

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