He saw this coming, told me so, and I still chose it.
I'll never know.
He'll never tell me.
When we arrived at the hospital, Joshua gave me much the same look, his hurt much more apparent in his eyes. I can't say I should have turned him out. I don't believe it. He said it himself, he has nothing else but us, this fucked-up family of ours. Still, I won't tell him to go. If he wants to stay, he'll stay in my operation. I'll give him rank and responsibility. He's more than earned it.
I don't know what will happen from here, but I know there's nowhere to go but up. My grandmother will see that I'm not a fuck-up, that I can handle the reins just like Charlie did. I learned from the best after all. He always tried to protect me, but I grew up watching his every move. And he learned it all from Dad. May they both rest in peace, may they know I have avenged the wrong that was done to our family.
Dear Charlie, rest easy now. Blood has been paid for the blood that was spilled. I'll be ok. I'll survive like you taught me to do. And I'll lead like you showed me. Hermano, adios.
About the Author
AJ is a beach migrant and part-time muse. She enjoys the exploration of genres vast, and the search for untold worlds. A writer-for-fun since childhood, she has also been known to be a superhero, a gun slinger, and, occasionally, a waitress. She lives on an island, has a bachelor's degree in journalism and some tattoos. She is most easily found at the water's edge.
Keep up with Aj on social media!
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aj-Elmore-author-muse/329812783118?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MissVish
WordPress:
http://ajelmoreauthor.com
Acknowledgements
This book holds a special place in my heart as one of the first novels I ever started writing. That being said, there are a few people who have been there since the beginning. So it wouldn't be right if I didn't give a nod to the Vicious Writers circle, and those members who convinced me to keep writing this story past the first chapter. It may have taken nearly ten years for me to finish this one little stand-alone, but I did it.
Two of those people have seen this project to the end. So to Nazarea Andrews, for being my guiding light in the indie publishing world. She has given me all the tools and advice I could ever ask for to become an indie artist.
And to Melissa Stevens for crafting a gorgeous and compelling cover. Many thanks for listening to me ramble out cover ideas, for being patient with my inexperience, and for somehow turning all of that into the awesome face of this book.
To Genie Rayner for giving this book new life and a fresh edit.
Finally, to Derrick for giving me a creative environment in which to work, and showing nothing but support the whole way.
