Kazimir paced the hospital room, biting his fingernails to the stubs. The doctor had taken Grace into another room, not allowing either of them to follow after learning she possibly ingested cocaine.

It broke Kazimir's heart to hear her crying as they took her away, and only then did Kazimir realize that Everly and Adam could have Grace taken away from them by CPS for their reckless behavior.

"I told you we shouldn't have come here," Emmett grumbled, slumped over on a chair.

"We couldn't just do nothing," Kazimir replied. "It's good that she's being treated here. When child services come by, we'll explain how you made a mistake and that Everly's a good mom, and never would've let us inside her home if she knew you'd had that with you."

"Everly's gonna kill us. I hope you know that."

"Us? This was not my fault," Kazimir snapped. "I never leave my drugs unattended, especially not when we visit Everly and Grace. Look, I understand how you're still recovering from that kidnapping, but you can't do shit like this. Grace could've overdosed and died."

"Don't be blaming me for all this. You know I'm not good with kids. It's your fault for leaving me alone with her," Emmett replied.

Kazimir gaped. "Are you serious right now? It's not my fault you can't keep track of your drugs and keep an eye on her. God, it's a good thing you never want kids. They'd die in your care."

Emmett rolled his eyes. "As if you're any better. I've found you passed out in our bathtub. Not to mention, you leave your paint supplies everywhere. A child could easily get into that."

"If I had a baby, I'd be sure to keep those things away from them because I'm not ignorant. The hideout is nowhere near baby-proofed. My paint supplies are the least harmful thing in that place."

"Whatever." Emmett folded his arms across his chest. "You better be ready to explain shit when Everly and Adam get here. Cuz Everly called his ass too."

"I'll be sure to tell them everything," Kazimir assured him.

It wasn't long before Everly arrived at the hospital, panting from running up the parking lot. Tears streaked her rosy cheeks as she made her way up to the receptionist, begging to see her baby. She didn't spare Kazimir or Emmett a glance as she tried to find somebody who could update her on Grace's condition.

Before Kazimir had the chance to explain everything, Emmett rose from his chair and made his way over to his sister. Everly glared at him like she could kill him, but when he went to explain what happened to Grace, Kazimir wanted to murder him.

"It was Kaz's coke," Emmett said. "We hurried to get Grace here right away after we learned he dropped it and got a hold of it. Kaz went to start the stove, and I hadn't noticed her since I thought he was keeping a close eye on her."

Kazimir gasped, unable to form the words he desperately needed. There was no time to react to Everly's harsh slap in the face. It stung his cheek as he winced, rubbing at the sore skin.

"Neither of you are ever allowed to see Grace again. Especially you, Kaz. I don't want you anywhere near my house."

Tears brimmed in Kazimir's eyes, throat tightening as he choked out, "I didn't... Everly, please, this wasn't my fault."

"Fuck you, Kaz. I trusted you." Everly shook her head. "You were always so sweet and caring to Grace. I thought I could count on you. But you've been bringing drugs to my house! I live with a cop. Do you know what's gonna happen when this gets out? We could lose Grace. Adam could even lose his job if they suspect we keep illegal drugs at our home."

"I'm so sorry," Kazimir whimpered.

"Sorry ain't gonna fix this. Just go shoot up somewhere else, away from my family." Everly stormed off, trying to ask more questions from the receptionist on how long it would take before she could see her baby.

Kazimir couldn't stay there in that waiting area with Emmett. He couldn't face Adam either, not after seeing how it upset Everly. If he could go back in time, he'd stop Emmett from bringing those drugs into their home. Kazimir didn't know he'd brought cocaine with him, but to lie and blame him instead?

When Kazimir reached the restroom, he removed his glasses and splashed some icy water in his face. He trembled, grasping onto the sink for support. Kazimir couldn't believe Emmett blamed him for everything, just so his family wouldn't be as upset with him. Who the hell did that to someone they love?

The bathroom door creaked open, and Detective Adam Lindel stepped inside, closing it behind him. Kazimir froze. He shrunk back when Adam neared him, fearing what the detective might do to him. Kazimir expected a punch to the face or something worse, but Adam remained stoic.

"Be honest with me, Kaz. Who's coke was it?"

Kazimir gulped. "Emmett's. Grace got it out of his coat pocket."

Adam nodded. "Thank you for being honest with me."

"You believe me?" Kazimir asked.

"You're an awful liar, Kaz. I'd know if you were bullshitting me. I honestly expected you to cover for Emmett."

"Why'd he blame me? I don't understand," Kazimir told him.

"You better come and get things straightened out because Emmett's telling the lady from child services how you let my daughter take that cocaine. I've told Everly not to let that asshole be alone with Grace. And look what fucking happens."

"I'm sorry," Kazimir said. "I should've watched her closer and Emmett too. I just never thought he'd do something this stupid."

"Yeah, well he did. He's really fucked shit up. If they take our daughter away, I might just kill that blond bastard myself."

Kazimir couldn't defend Emmett for his careless actions, not when he lied and put all the blame on him. Before leaving the restroom with Adam, he grabbed his glasses and wiped his face before sliding them back up the bridge of his nose. He hated turning his back on his lover, especially after everything they'd been through together, but Kazimir wouldn't take the blame for putting Grace in harm's way.

💀

Later that night, Adam dropped Kazimir off across from their hideout. Street lamps guided them down the rough road, barely illuminating the old buildings.

"Are you sure you wanna go back here?" Adam asked. "You know, Emmett's gonna be pissed that you ratted him out. They've got an investigation on him now. That's gonna cause y'all a lot of problems if they find anything here."

"I'll be fine," Kazimir assured him. "Thanks for the ride."

Adam frowned. "Alright, if you're sure."

Kazimir retrieved his key, making his way up to their entrance and through the old auto body shop. To his surprise, Emmett and the rebels waited for him in the lounging room.

"What the fuck did you do?" Emmett demanded, coming up to him.

Kazimir rocked on his unsteady feet. "I told the truth. You tried to pin the blame on me when it wasn't even my fault. Grace got into your cocaine. I wasn't stupid enough to bring that shit around a baby."

Rage flared in Emmett's green eyes; his body tensed as he raised his right arm. Kazimir barely had time to flinch when Emmett's hand whipped across his face. The impact stung his cheek as Kazimir reeled back, speechless as he tried to find the words to respond.

"You've got the goddamn cops on my ass now. Not to mention, I had a plan to keep you safe. I knew the CPS lady. I was gonna pay her to keep silent, but you had to go and fuck shit up with the cops. Now, there's no way out of this."

Kazimir trembled, but he didn't back down. "It was your fault. I'm not taking the blame for you."

Before Kazimir could move to defend himself, Emmett balled his hand into a fist and punched him. It sent his glasses flying off his face, almost staggering back as Emmett reached out and pulled him closer by the scruff.

"Don't you ever disobey me like this again, you got it? You could get us all arrested for this shit. Do you want to spend the rest of your life in jail?" Emmett yelled each word; a rainfall of spit flung in his face.

No longer did the love glisten in his spring green eyes like it used to. Only pure hatred looked down on him like a pile of shit. Kazimir pressed his lips together tightly, wincing as Emmett released him and walked away.

The tears fell despite himself. Kazimir didn't want to cry in front of them, especially not Emmett. He didn't want to give him that satisfaction.

A twisted part of him wanted Emmett to come back and apologize for hurting him. He touched his sore cheek, flinching from the sting.

Kazimir stood in the middle of their lounging area, unable to speak or try to defend his actions. While he knew he'd done the right thing, guilt pricked at his heart for turning Emmett in.

The rest of the night remained tense between everyone. Emmett had locked himself up in his office, ignoring everyone who came to check up on him. Charlie took Kazimir out for supper, hoping the space gave Emmett enough time to relax so they could discuss what happened.

When Kazimir returned, he sensed something was wrong when Rylee tried to make him go to bed. After everything that happened, Kazimir just wanted to drown his miseries out in his paint.

"Come on, Kaz. Maybe painting isn't a good idea right now," Rylee told him.

"No, I think it'll help me calm down," Kazimir replied.

"I-I think I saw a mouse in there," Rylee stammered, trying to come up with more pitiful excuses for why he shouldn't paint.

Only when Kazimir went down in his art set up at the hideout did he realize why Rylee wanted him to stay away. All his recent, unfinished artworks had been knocked over, splattered in black paint.

Tears brimmed in his eyes at the horrific sight. So many precious works he'd spent time on... They were ruined.

"What happened?" Kazimir asked softly.

"Emmett got frustrated," Rylee explained. "He feels like you betrayed him."

Without second guessing, Kazimir made his way up to Emmett's makeshift office and yanked the door open. Emmett sat at his desk as if nothing happened, preoccupied with something on his tablet.

"What the hell did you do?" Kazimir demanded.

"This is what happens when you stab me in the back." Emmett gazed up, piercing green eyes meeting him. "I hope you've learned your lesson. This shit will be difficult for me to deal with, thanks to you, but I've got Daniel working on things for me."

Kazimir shook his head, feeling a lump form in his throat as he choked back a sob. "You don't understand what those paintings meant to me. Not only that, but you tossed me under the bus. Blamed me for hurting Grace when it wasn't even my fault."

"I had a plan, dammit. You fucked that up." Emmett groaned. "Look, just leave me alone. I'm not in the mood right now."

Without another word, Kazimir slammed the door and stormed out of his office. Curious heads peeked out at him. Nobody said a word as Kazimir fetched his motorcycle keys, heading straight for the auto shop.

Rage ignited in his heart as he approached Emmett's blue caddie and dug the key into the driver's side door. He keyed the word dickhead and stepped back, admiring his work. Only when he looked up did he realize that the other gangsters had followed him.

"Oh, little man. He's gonna kill you," Charlie said.

Kazimir scoffed. "Do you think I really care? I could've been arrested because of him. He ruined my art. He deserves this. Tell him that cuz I'm done with him."

Before leaving, Kazimir grabbed a tire iron in the corner of the room and took his anger out on the innocent car's windshield. Glass shattered upon impact, and it sent ripples of adrenaline through Kazimir as he tossed it aside and made his way to his motorcycle.

As much as he wanted to see the priceless expression on Emmett's face, he didn't want to die. Kazimir needed to get the hell out of there.