CHAPTER 181: STAY

"But the deadline..." I tried to protest, but Tye cut me off.

"Is our problem, not yours. We’ll figure something out. We always do."

As he said that, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. They are in a big mess, and one thing that could easily go away was locked in my phone. "What if there is no other way?"

"Then we face the consequences. But we don’t put that on you. Not like this."

I looked down at my phone again, at all the evidence stored in its memory. Evidence that would destroy my brother. Evidence that could save everyone I cared about.

"So, no," Tye continued, his voice firm but kind. "There’s no pressure, Princess. Not from me. The information is yours. The choice is yours. Whatever you decide to do with what’s on that phone, we’ll deal with the fallout. Together."

"Together," I whispered, testing the word.

"Together," he confirmed. "You’re not alone in this, Helena. Whatever you choose, I’ve got your back. We all do."

I sank back down onto the bed, suddenly exhausted. The emotional roller coaster of the evening had drained every ounce of energy I had left.

Tye sat beside me, close but without touching.

"I need time," I said finally. "I need to think about this. About what it means. About Jason and Ryan and what this will do to them."

"Take all the time you need."

"What if I decide I can’t do it? What if I can’t give you the evidence?"

"Then you can’t. And we find another way."

"Even if it costs you everything?"

Tye turned to look at me, his expression serious. "Some things are worth more than everything. Your peace of mind? Your relationship with your brothers? Your ability to live with yourself after this is over? Those things matter more than money, more than the cartel’s deadline, more than anything else."

"You don’t mean that."

"I do." He took my hand, his fingers warm against my cold ones. "I’ve done a lot of terrible things in my life, Helena. Things I’m not proud of. Things I can’t take back. But I draw the line at forcing someone to destroy their family. Even if it means we all pay the price."

I looked at our joined hands, at the way his thumb stroked gentle circles on my skin. "Thank you," I whispered.

"For what?"

"For not making me choose right now. For giving me space. For being here."

"Where else would I be?"

A small, broken laugh escaped me. "Literally anywhere else. This is a mess; look at me, I’m a crying mess."

"Yeah, well. I’m good with messes." He squeezed my hand. "You want me to stay? Or do you need space?"

I should tell him to leave so I can process this on my own and make this decision without anyone influencing me.

But I didn’t want to be alone, not tonight.

"Stay," I said quietly. "Please."

"Okay."

Tye kicked off his shoes and lay back on the bed, still on top of the covers. I hesitated for only a moment before lying down beside him, my head resting on his shoulder.

We stayed like that in the darkness, not talking, just existing in the same space. His heartbeat was steady under my ear, a constant rhythm that slowly calmed my racing thoughts.

"Tye?"

"Yeah?"

"What would you do If it were your family?"

He was quiet for a long moment. "I don’t know. Family’s complicated. Blood doesn’t always mean loyalty, but it’s hard to forget it either. I think I’d ask myself what kind of person I want to be. Not what’s easy, not what’s convenient, but who I want to be when this is all over."

"And who’s that?"

"Someone who can look in the mirror without flinching. Someone who did the right thing, even when it hurt." He paused. "But that’s me, Helena. You have to figure out who you want to be. And whatever answer you come to, it’s the right one."

I closed my eyes, letting his words sink in.

Who did I want to be?

I stayed like that in the darkness, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The quiet stretched between us in a comfortable way, despite everything.

Then my stomach growled loudly.

I tensed, mortified, but Tye didn’t react at first. Maybe he didn’t hear it.

My stomach growled again, even louder this time, like it was determined to be acknowledged.

Tye turned his head to look at me, one eyebrow raised. "Was that you or is there a bear loose in your apartment?"

Heat crept up my neck. "Shut up."

"I’m serious. That was aggressive. Your stomach sounds angry."

"It’s been a long night," I muttered, burying my face deeper into his shoulder.

"When’s the last time you ate?"

I tried to remember. Breakfast? Had I even eaten breakfast? "I don’t know. This afternoon, maybe?"

He sat up abruptly, forcing me to lift my head. "That’s like twelve hours ago, Helena."

"I wasn’t exactly thinking about food while I was breaking into my brother’s secret crime office."

"Fair point." He swung his legs off the bed. "Okay, food. Should I order something? We could go out, or..." He paused, a slight smirk playing at his lips. "I could make something."

I let out a watery laugh despite myself. "You? Cook? You don’t look like someone who can cook."

"Seriously?" He put a hand over his heart in mock offence. "I can cook."

"What can you cook?"

"I can boil water."

I stared at him. "That’s not cooking."

"You haven’t tasted my boiled water, though. If you taste my boiled water, you’ll forget about taking tea... ever. It’s that good."

A real laugh burst out of me then, the first genuine one all night. It felt strange, wrong almost, to laugh after everything. But also necessary, like my body needed the release.

"You’re ridiculous," I said, wiping at my eyes as fresh tears streamed down, but different ones this time.

"I’m practical. There’s a difference." He stood up, stretching. "So what’ll it be? Takeout? Or my legendary boiled water?"

I thought about it. Going out meant facing people, putting on a normal face, pretending I wasn’t falling apart. "Let’s just order something. I don’t think I can handle going out right now."

"Smart. Less chance of any more incidents tonight."

"God, I hope so. I don’t think I can take any more surprises."

"Agreed." He pulled out his phone and scrolled through the options. "I need to call Axel and Layla anyway. Let them know what’s going on."

My stomach twisted, and this time it wasn’t from hunger. "You think they’ll take it well? Me not handing over the evidence right away?"

Tye looked up from his phone. "Take it well? Probably not. Understand it?" He paused. "Maybe. They’re not heartless, Helena. They know what it’s like to have impossible choices."

"But they need this information. You all do."

"We do," he admitted. "But forcing your hand won’t help anyone. They’ll get that. Eventually."

"Eventually," I echoed.

"Only one way to find out."