Partners in Crime ~Completed~

Chapter Nineteen- Old Times

Emily looks up when the bell above the cafe rings. Her face pales slightly but she forces a smile. I walk over and slide into the booth across from her. We're silent for a moment.

"You know why we're here?" I ask. She nods, avoiding my gaze.

"My brother."

I sigh and reach across to grab her hand. She flinches but let's me hold it. "Emily, I know he hurts you. He's dangerous. You know this. You're the one who tried telling me not to go with him, but I didn't listen. I need to know everything, Em. Please." I say softly.

She looks at me, hesitantly before nodding. "Okay." She let's out a nervous breath and nods, more to herself. "Okay, I'll tell you."

Flashback~1 Year Ago~ Emily's POV

I sigh as I finally get home. I've been stuck in the hospital for days now. It gets tiring. My brother had it worse than me though. They have him on some pain meds. I'm not too harmed though. Just a few bruises. He needed surgery.

"I'm going to my room." He murmurs, walking passed me. I ignore him and head upstairs to my room. Collapsing onto my bed, I let out a breath. I wish they caught who hit us. I have a slight idea of who it was. But no proof.

Suddenly, a loud bang followed by a crashing echos in the house. I jump up and run to the source of the sound. Ethan's room. My parents aren't currently home, they're on a business trip. So I'm left to handle my brother. He's been moody since after his surgery.

I've tried talking to him when the nurses actually let me visit his room, but he shut me out. I really hope he's okay.

I slowly turn the knob and open his door. A gap leaves my mouth. Holy shit. Glass from his mirror litters the floor of his bedroom. His wall is decorated with a giant hole and a lot of the stuff on his desk is thrown carelessly across the room.

"Ethan?" I ask timidly.

He turns, chest heaving, and glares at me. "Go away, Emily." He says coolly. I ignore him and slowly step into his room. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"Does it look like I'm fucking okay?" He shouts. I jump. He's never raised his voice at me before. Around me, sure. But never at me.

"What's wrong?"

I slowly approach him and lay a hand on his arm. He yanks his arm from me and shoves me away. I gasp as I trip and land on the floor. My hand lands on a piece of sharp glass and I gasp. Fuck that hurt. I cradle my hand and pull the shard from my hand. Blood oozes out.

I expect Ethan to apologize, but when I look up he seems satisfied almost. What? I stand up and wince at the pain in my hand.