~HELENA~
"No," I said, my voice coming out shaky. "No, you're wrong."
I was sitting in Mrs. O'Brien's office, but I wished I was anywhere else. Anywhere but here, listening to them accuse my brother of being a criminal.
"Helena..." Layla started in a gentle voice, like she was trying to calm a frightened animal.
"You're wrong!" I repeated, stronger this time, standing up from my chair. My hands were shaking. "My brother, he's an ass, okay? He's arrogant, and he's selfish. He abandoned us for years while I raised Jason and Ryan alone. But he's not this. He's not a top-tier criminal working with the cartel. He wouldn't... he couldn't..."
"He's been lying to you, Helena," Tye said in a flat voice. "He used your job here to get close to Layla. He's been using your innocence as a cover for his crimes."
Something twisted in my chest at those words, at the way Tye said them so matter-of-factly, like they were established truth instead of horrible accusations.
