"Immy, we need to leave, now." Sighing, I leaned against the banister as I waited for my sister to leave her room.
Finally, she emerged wearing an oversized sweater and leggings. Her style had changed drastically since the incident, and it only served as a gut-punch reminder to me how much she was struggling. It pierced my damn heart every time I thought of it, and the desperate need to punish someone would rise in me.
It was difficult to know who to punish, though, when you felt responsible.
"Sorry, Attie," she mumbled, head hanging low.
"It's okay, Ims. Let's just get moving. I don't want you to be late."
At her nod, we headed down the stairs and into the garage where Sax and the driver were waiting. Sax gave me an imperceptible look as we exited. He was struggling as much as I was, even if he didn't think I noticed. We were both just too stubborn to admit it. The drive to New Horizons was quiet, all of us lost in our thoughts.
"Do you want me to go in, or are you okay on your own?" I softly asked.
"I'm good. Thanks." Immy gently smiled and kissed my cheek before she got out of the car.
"I think this is good for her," Sax quietly asserted before following her out the door.
"Yeah," I answered to myself. I watched them walk into the building and hoped Sax was correct. Resigning myself to waiting, I pulled out my tablet to review the contracts and deposits the team had sent over. Something wasn't adding up there, and I needed to look at it more closely.
Scanning through everything, I signed the contracts for Sushi Roll and emailed them back to the lawyers. Switching to the other files, I thoroughly researched them, but nothing stood out on the invoices and deposits. I'd have to wait until l could investigate it more on my computer. The bank slips all seemed accurate, but something went missing from there to the bank each time. I just knew it.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see who it was. Nicco.
"Hello, cousin. How are you fairing?" I greeted him.
"Hey, Mas. I'm good, man. Just confirming the line-up for this week's fight. I have Crash against Manic, Boom against Stonefist, and Bolt against Knuckles. There are a few smaller fights for status, but those are the three showliners. Will you be stopping by?"
"I plan to, if I can get away. How's Crash doing?"
"Dodgy, but he hasn't caused problems."
"Just keep an eye on him. His background is… interesting."
"Now you have me curious," he laughed, "but I will see if I can actually get him up to the box this time and get a read on him."
"How's the shop?"
"It's great, man," he answered quickly before changing the subject. "Have you finished the documents for the sushi place?" I allowed his redirection knowing he was anxious I would ask him to do something underhanded. Nicco didn't believe me yet when I said I wouldn't, so I would show him with time.
"Yeah, just now. So, I'll send that over before long so you can see how it's doing."
"Sounds good, Mas. How's the princess?"
Pausing, I closed my eyes as I thought about Immy. "She's strong. I just hope she opens up to this therapist, and it helps her. I just want her to be okay."
"Oh, you got her into a therapist? That's great. You're doing right by her, Mas."
"I hope so because I feel like I'm failing around every corner with Immy lately."
"What happened… " he trailed off, unable to say the words as much as I was, "it wasn't your fault. I know that doesn't change anything, but you can't carry that guilt—"
"Yeah, I know. Hey, listen, another call's coming in. I'll catch you at the fight."
Hanging up, I tossed my head back against the seat. Exhaling, I tried to calm my heart. Why did everyone think telling me it wasn't my fault helped? It didn't. It only highlighted where I failed and that someone innocent had been hurt in unimaginable ways.
"Son, I want to bring our family to the next level. I've secured a deal that will allow us to branch out and acquire more advantageous ventures." The Reaper grinned.
"I don't understand. What ventures are you talking about, Dad?"