The Defiance novel

---- Chapter 13: To The Fire Exit Alice's POV Diego, unlike what others thought of him, was never the push over. He was the friendly son of our company's owner but he never intended to take over his Dad's position. He chose his passion and his family never went against his wishes. I loved their family because they loved me and my brother just like their own. Diego was the brother I had from another father and mother.

He was just as protective as Dean but he lets me experience things to learn from them, but he always makes sure I was safe. He and Dean were buddies in every way. It was rare for my brother to trust someone especially the male population but he has no doubt on Diego since the man never did anything to hurt us. He's family. "You okay?", Diego asked after I calmed down.

I couldn't help but cry, I guess I let it all out-those stress, pressure, overthinking and all of the other things that ate me these past few days. Inodded and pulled myself an inch away from him but he kept his hand on my head. Before I answered him, I looked at the door making sure Seth was not returning in the room any time soon.

Remembering his raging face, all-red and veins ---- threatened to burst; he stopped when his phone rang loudly and quickly answered it without hesitation , throwing himself out of the room. The tension in the room left with him. I swear, I knew Set would go and pounce at Diego. The situation was already in chaos with his brother lying on the hospital bed, unconscious. And then, there was this story what really happened.

"Do you want to eat something?", Diego guided me to the couch at the corner of the room. "No. I just need Dean to be okay", his feature softened even more. He leaned in to kiss my forehead and touched my cheek. "He will be. He's a fighter. He's strong and if he's not, I'll beat him up for you, honey", his words made me smile. "Yeah. And 1'll kill him if he won't wake up anytime soon. He's got a lot of things to explain" "You do that", there was something at the way his eyes shifted.

And I knew very well what it meant. He was not telling me something. "You know", I said. It was not a question or a simple statement . I was letting Diego know that I knew he was hiding something. And it hurts knowing they both kept it from me. He was biting his lip and was avoiding my eyes. ---- "Can't you tell me what really happened ?". I wanted to get angry. Raise my voice and show him how betrayed I've felt but I was just so tired.

I just wanted to have the knowledge of my brother's conquest. For the past months, I noticed things on him that brought uneasiness every time. There were times when Dean goes home with bruises on his arms or cuts on his face. I would ask him about those but he would just say, "It's nothing. Just some brawl with the dude. Don't worry" He lied through his teeth. He would avoid me for days saying he was busy or divert related talks and escape.

And when I started with it again, I would nag and dig it up and he would get me to stop by, "Please. Just please, A, stop sticking your nose on my business. You're my sister and I get it but it's my life. I love you but don't worry too much" His pleading eyes always haunted me. He looked pained. And I always hated when I see him like that. I loved my brother more than anything. But I was stupid. "T'm sorry", Diego's whispered apology pulled me out of my reverie. I cried again.

I should have asked more. "It's not your fault, A. and I'm sorry this happened . You feel betrayed and I'm sorry for that, too but it's not my story to narrate. If I could I would", I kept on crying. He was being honest.