“We need to talk,” I whisper. His jaw clenches.

“Will you let me apologize?”

“Of course, but I don’t think it’s going to change anything. Not right now.”

“What are you talking about?” he asks, his face contorting into a look I recognize from the kid I knew growing up. When we were children and would fight over the smallest things. Things were never fair according to Ezra, and I have a feeling he won’t find this fair either.

“I don’t want to see you for a while, Ezra.”

“Shelby,” he snaps, and I wince. Pushing my only family away feels like ripping off a piece of my body. Am I worried that Ezra will do something terrible because I’m pulling myself out of his life? Yes, but he needs this. And so do I.

“You’ve been lying to me. Going to Chief’s was not smart, Ezra. Fighting with Rafe over me? You’ve been holding onto so much rage and anger for too long, and you’ve pulled me into it. It’s not fair, and I think we both need some space to clear our heads.”

His mouth is hanging open and I spot moisture in his eyes.

“You’re choosing him over me,” he cries, and I shut my eyes. Ezra will choose the offence over the defense every time.

“I’m not choosing him. I’m taking a break from both of you. You’re both toxic, Ezra. And I’m finally choosing myself for once in my life.”

His mouth closes, and I watch him fight off the urge to cry.

“I’m sorry,” he begs, but I don’t respond.

“I’ll drive you home.”

As I move toward my purse, he doesn’t budge. “You’re my sister, Shelby. You’re all I have.”

“You’ll be fine, Ezra.” Then before either of us can say anything else or I let him beg me to the point that I change my mind, I open the door and wait for him to walk through it.

It takes him a moment to realize that I’m being serious. I’m not going to change my mind. It’s tough love, but I’m doing what I should have done years ago.

Chapter Twenty-One

Rafe

It’s been eight days since Shelby last spoke to me, and it’s been just as awful as I expected it would be. I hear her when she comes and goes, and I do my best to avoid running into her in the hallway. I work late, but I’m still not anywhere near productive. So when I finally get called in by the chief, I actually start to wonder what the hell took so long.

For the most part, he's a pretty laid back guy. He gives me a lot of free reign, maybe too much, but he knows how passionate I am about my job. He knows the basic summary of my upbringing but if he knows the nitty gritty he hasn’t brought it up. As I step into his office, I keep my chin high and have a seat across from him. I know exactly what he’s about to say.