Their Rose Petal

Chapter Fifty Six

The room is silent. The only noise coming from Malanni's squirming figure in Kinsley's arms. Her small grunts showing her struggle to get comfortable.

Mateo and Elias stare at me. Mateo is furious, fighting a battle within himself. I know he wants to lash out at me, curse at me for not giving him the knowledge I had as soon as I put the stupid pieces together. I fight back tears, being the emotional wreck I've always been. Elias looks deep in thought, processing the words that have left my mouth.

Mateo's sisters and his mom are in the living room, far enough to not hear the conversation we're having. Kaleb stands behind Mateo with his arms crossed, his neck twitching a bit in fury.

"Tell me exactly what happened." Mateo places his head on his balled up fists.

I sigh loudly. "I already have!"

His hand hits the table, causing Kinsley and I to jump. "Damnit, Michelle! I need to know every detail. Every punctuation of his words."

I go to open my mouth to respond, but Elias cuts me off. "Do you think he will follow through with it?" His question is demanding.

I struggle internally. I genuinely don't have a solid answer to give them. It's something I've been struggling with for the past few hours. "I don't know."

"How do you not know? It's your brother." Kaleb steps in, his voice laced with anger.

"Watch yourself!" Kinsley spits out. "This isn't our conversation to butt into. Sit back and listen or walk the fuck out." She pulls Malanni higher up onto her chest, glaring at her boyfriend. One thing I truly love about Kinsley is that she always fights for me. No matter who it's against, her boyfriend included.

Kaleb glares at her, and she matches his stare. Within seconds he's dropping his scowl, realizing he won't win this fight with his woman.

"He was eighteen when he left." I begin, letting Myles hold my finger as I talk. "I don't know who he is anymore. Can I confidently sit here and say he loves me enough, or his unborn child enough, not to attempt to harm Mateo? No." The word attempt is met with extra emphasis. Mateo could end him without question, in multiple scenarios. However Brandon trains for these moments. He could've easily killed Mateo at my wedding, seeing as his attention was too caught up in our moment. Who's to say Mateo isn't put in the same predicament? With their guards down so Brandon can make his move.

"I want to believe he loves me enough. He's the only sibling I have, but obviously it wasn't enough for him then. Why would it be now?" I mindlessly shrug.

Mateo sighs, his eyes holding the sight of his conflicted state.

"Maybe he won't come back." I whisper. Elias scoffs.

"Listen, princess. He is your family, that is something we understand. But this? Right here in this room is your family too. I'll be damned if I let a single fucking thing happen to any one of us." Elias snaps, his eyes narrowing into slits.

I wouldn't expect it any other way. We have two little ones to protect now.

"So, we kill him." Kaleb interjects once again.

"For the love of God, Kaleb!" Kinsley groans. "Shut the fuck up!" She hisses, a side of her we don't see often. She looks complexed as well.