Lionel's lips pressed together.
"That's not the life I want for you." Ansel continued. "I don't want you knee-deep in dirty money, violence, favors you can't walk away from. It's not safe. And you know that better than anyone."
He paused, then added quietly, "Look at what happened to mum. Mum died because of our father and he too had a similar fate."
That did it.
Lionel's breath hitched just slightly, the name landing like a blow he hadn't braced for.
"You think I don't remember?" Lionel snapped, finally looking at him. "You think I don't see her every time I close my eyes?"
"Then why walk the same path?" Ansel shot back. "Why flirt with the same end?"
"It just kind of happened." Lionel said bitterly. "Because being 'normal' didn't protect anyone in this family."
Ansel's jaw flexed. "And becoming a criminal will?"
At that, Lionel stood abruptly, chair scraping softly against the floor.
"So that's it?" he said, voice low and sharp. "That's your justification? 'Tough love'?"
