Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter 107 We stayed like this for several minutes, soaking up each other's comfort and strength. Drew finally took a step back. "OK, let's get our stull packed, and then we can see what Connor had to say to Patrick." We all broke apart except for lake, who was still gripping my hand like I was the only thing keeping him afloat. Since Jake's stuff was also in my room, I decided to pack my stuff first and then take care of Patrick's room. I turned to Jake once we were inside my room and hugged him.

"I feel so lost and scared," Jake said, voice trembling with emotion.

"I know you do, honey, but we are all here for each other and will get through this together. Con, I said. I led him over to the bed and sat down, pulling him withso I could hold him. He cuddled up next toas close as possible and rested his head in my lap. I ran my fingers through his hair as he silently cried.

When Josh walked by my door and saw us sitting on the bed, Jake still wrapped around me, he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Without saying anything, he cover to us, nudgingso he could sit, and wrapped his arms around me, resting his hand on his twin's shoulder I don't know how long we stayed like this, but I had been humming random tunes as I continued to soothe fake for a while when he finally shifted and sat up. Rubbing the last tears from his eyes, he gave us both a grateful smile.

"Thanks, guys. I'm sorry I broke down like that," Jake said, squeezing his brother and kissingon the cheek. "Never apologize for showing your emotions," I gently scolded. This is what families are supposed to do for each other. I love you and will always do whatever I can to help." "Yes, mam," Jake said, givinga small smile. I could see sof Jake's happy personality returning "And I am way too young to be called man," I scolded, trying and failing to sound serious.

"Yes, you are, sweetheart. I love you." He said, givinga quick kiss before climbing off the bed.

"Love you to Jake. You ready to start packing?" I followed him off the bed, went to the closet, and began pulling out our clothes.

Josh had followedoff the bed. After kissingand whispering thank you, he picked up his bag from the other hallway and disappeared. After packing, we brought our bags to the front door, and I returned to Patrick's room. I quickly packed up his things before getting his bag to the door.

When Patrick returned from talking to his dad, Drew and Mike were loading the SUV. I was standing on the front porch enjoying the cool breeze when he stopped besideand wrapped an arm around my waist. I leaned my head against his chest. "How did the talk with your dad go? I asked, looking up at him.

"Good. I will fill everyone in once we get on the road, Patrick told me, kissing the top of my head and then lettinggo so he could help load the SUV.

It didn't take long before we were on our way back to the city. Drew was driving riving while Patrick began telling us what Conner had told him.

"You know our dads were associates in sof the shadier sides of our business," Patrick told us. The brothers all nodded, and I shrugged. I didn't know much about it, but I was starting to suspect that my stepfather had gotten in over his head.

"My dad had warned him that even talking to the heads of the bigger drug cartels could be very dangerous, even deadly. They operate differently than other crfamilles do. They have no respect for other families, and they react with violence first, not carrying who they hurt. Your father swore he had only contacted one member about a possible campaign contribution, which ended there. But Dad thinks he might have contacted the cartel again while on vacation." Patrick turned in the pasanger seat to look at the rest of us, and we all shrugged. Drew just shook his head, not taking his eyes off the road. I knew Dad could be a ruthless bastard when it cto his political career, but I didn't think we would be dumb enough to get involved in drugs. Your dads dont allow their people to sell or use it for a reason. No one wants the cartels to get a foothold in the city.

"I could see my mom not giving a damn who it hurt and pushing your dad into something dangerous like that, and I know she's a heartless bitch that only cares about herself." Yeah, there was no love lost between mommy dearest and me.

"Thats another angle we are looking into, Patrick told me.

now we just hurry up and wait? I asked Patrick.

ne information right now, Patrick said, teaching back and patting my leg.

there is no

"Thank you to everything, you have doww, Patrick, M means a lot full lým We are toy, and I would do anything for you gays. The said with a shrug.

After that,

dove was pretty quiet. The tutel on the ads to snoise, but we were each lost in our thoughts. Since we left early in the alternoon, we were able to miss the sky bom wall, and it only took a little over an hour before we pilled into the gated community. Drew pulled foto the gouage, mud we all got und, stretching, and grabbing, um hugs. As sur walked up the stairs toward our wing, a sense of Deja Vue washed over nie.

This was the second tin less than a week that we had returned from a tip with bad news. I used the En news would be better this