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"Forget it," Kat said as she shook her head She put the wooden spoon down and turned to face her Leaning against the counter, she crossed her arms over her chest defensively "I don’t want to talk to anyone about what happened I know I’ve beenaround here--"

"I don’t care about that I just want you to get some help andlate at night and it broke her heart She’d tried to help, but it was hard when Kat wouldn’t even talk And normal conversation was out of the question It was too forced and fake

"I spoke to Aiden today and he’s going to…help"Help you?"

Her friend nodded as if the answer should be obvious "Understand ht"

"That’s not the kind of help I was thinking about"

"Well, I’s or problems that they’ll never understand I just want to kno to defendin wolf forure everything out and teach ht anyone ants to hurt me"

"What about Jayce?" she asked softly The enforcer had been by the house every day and he’d called too ht not have exactly liked the guy in the beginning, it was obvious he cared for Kat and would do anything for her

Kat’s eyes ied jerkily "What about him? He didn’t want ets a second chance" Her voice was distant yet somehow bitter

December decided not to push the subject Not noay Kat had too much on her plate and she just wanted to be supportive of her friend So she changed the subject "You need help with anything?"

Kat shook her head "Nah, chili’s alot French bread in the oven Should be done in twentyto freshen up and…" She trailed off at the sound of the doorbell

"I’m not available if it’s Jayce" Kat turned back to the stove after that, effectively cutting off any argu, Deceh the peephole and saw her brother, sweat blosso open the door She wanted to hug Parker but didn’t knohy he was here or if he’d even return the embrace They hadn’t talked since before he’d been shot, and she hadn’t realized until that moment how much she ached to see and talk to him Nobrother who’d bandaged her scrapes and checked her closet forjeans and a dark cash as nervous as she’d ever seen hie was visible fro back around over his shoulder "Hey"

"Hi" She’d never felt weird around her brother, but after calling hi to see him over and over, she didn’t knohat to say and was a little afraid of his rejection "Uh, do you want to come in? Kat reat"

Once inside they didn’t make it past the foyer He jerked to a sudden stop and wiped his hands on his pants "I’ such an asshole You can date whoever you want I had a lot of time in the hospital to think about what a jerk I’ve been And Ana stopped by to seeto er shouldn’t have been there re me that family sticks by one another She didn’t admit it, but I think the only reason she was there was at Liaave a slight nod, he continued "On an intellectual level I know Lia to do with Brandon’s death, but it doesn’t make it any less hard for me Every time I see Liam or any of his pack, I’m reminded about Brandon, but otten there faster that day" He sed hard, but all Dece either of the tiet to that realization, but eventually she’d had to bury the guilt If not, she’d have drowned in it

Parker scrubbed a hand over his face before continuing "I know Liauy He’s saved your life rateful I should have said it before, but whatever you do with hi as you’re happy, you have ive me"

She stood there a moment in stunned silence That was the most she’d ever heard her brother say at once The stark e her head, she pulled her brother into a tight hug When he grunted as if in pain, she i, he shook his head "Not really I’ to be okay?"

Her throat thick, she nodded She’d been a wreck the past few days and she didn’t want to start crying again If she did, she’d never stop "You’re my family" It was as simple as that

A relaxed smile broke out on his face "The dinner offer still stand?"

Grinning, she nodded again "Yeah, come on"

In the kitchen they found the table already set and Kat scooping chili into their bowls From what Dece, but she guessed he’d be up to date on the bodies the sheriff’s departo He wouldn’t know about Kat, though No one except the people who’d been there that night did

"Hey, Parker, good to see you out of the hospital… Decelass of wine?" Kat asked