Page 106 of Through the Storm
I hear footsteps getting closer to the door.
“Katy? It’s me. Please come out. You’re kinda freaking me out a little bit,” Declan says gently.
Nothing. I can’t talk. I can’t move.
“Katy,” he tries again, softer this time. “You don’t have to talk. Just… let me know you’re okay.”
I take a shaky breath.
“I’m fine,” I say weakly. Which is technically true. I’m alive and well.
“Please, Katy. Open the door.”
The worry in his voice gives me the strength to get out of bed. I open the door and immediately throw my arms around my brother.
He doesn’t ask more questions. He just holds me while I break down.
By the time Grandma forces a bowl of soup into my hands in the kitchen, I’ve cried myself empty.
I don’t even notice Declan slipping out the door.
Oh God. This is bad.
I hope he’s not going where I think he’s going.
BEN
Declan doesn’t bother knocking. The door just slams open.
Leo is off the couch before it finishes swinging. Mateo straightens at the kitchen island. Uncle Jack looks up from his chair, his expression sharpening.
Declan’s eyes lock on me.
“What the fuck did you do to my sister this time?”
The room goes still.
My stomach drops. “Declan?—”
“She didn’t come out of her room for hours,” he cuts in, voice shaking now, raw and uncontained. “I came home to find my grandma sitting outside her door because she was crying so hard and wouldn’t open the door.” He takes a step closer. “So I’ll ask again.” His voice cracks with fury. “What the fuck did you do?”
Leo moves immediately, stepping between us. “Hey. Take a breath.”
Declan doesn’t even look at him. “Stay out of it.”
Mateo pushes away from the island, folding his arms. “That’s not happening.”
Uncle Jack finally speaks. He doesn’t raise his voice. He doesn’t need to. “Declan.”
The room settles instantly.
“You need to lower your voice.”
Declan drags a hand through his hair like he’s trying not to punch something. Or someone. Specifically me.
“I don’t have a lower voice right now.”
I swallow. “I didn’t do anything.”
