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“I’m not going anywhere until I speak to Cole.”
“I’m not giving you a choice.” He jerks his chin toward the path. “I’m not Cole. You don’t have me by the balls. This right here,” he waves a hand between us, “is a kindness despite the mess you’ve made.”
“The mess—”
“You took down a kingpin,” he grates. “You just earned yourself a world of enemies. And who do you think is going to do everything in his power to protect your stupid ass when you fucking betrayed him?”
I suck in a breath. “I didn’t—”
“Keep your mouth shut. Pretend Cole finished this. And go wait at the fucking pier.”
My chest pounds with punishing beats. The way he looks at me—the disgust and a
I’m a pariah again.
“I don’t need his protection,” I whisper. “I can look after myself.”
Luca scoffs. “We’ll see.”
A scream builds behind my sternum. I itch to lash out. To vent my frustration in a shriek. Instead, I turn and walk around the pool, hearing the slide of the glass door and the definitive click of the lock.
I don’t stop along the path. I keep going, keep moving until I reach the end of the pier and sit to dangle my legs over the edge.
I did the right thing. I refuse to believe otherwise.
There was no other choice.
I continue to build on my argument as the sun creeps higher in the clear blue sky, beaming down on me from overhead.
The perfect weather mocks me. Everything does. And there’s nothing I can do about it.
I remain in solitude, the numbness taking over through the passing morning until the low rumble of a boat approaches.
There’s no motivation to panic anymore. I’m hollow. Empty.
I killed a man, thinking I was saving someone I care about, and instead, I’ve been accused of sabotage.
I don’t even move when the boat approaches, the engine cut before it rocks into place beside the pier.
Decker climbs out first, his heavy boots thudding onto the wooden planks. “Sitting with all your friends, Agent Fox?”
He helps Keira from the vessel, Sarah and Hunter following close behind, all of them scowling their hatred at me.
I don’t blame them. We have a convoluted history, especially Decker and I. Just like with Cole, they took opposing sides of the battlefield.
At least temporarily.
I no longer have any idea what team I’m on. There’s no side for me.
I’m lost.
I push to my feet, wincing from the ache in my ribs as I face their judgment.
“You’re beat up.” Keira’s scrutiny increases, her gaze trekking me up and down. “Cole didn’t do this.”
It sounds like a question. A pained plea for more information.
“No, he didn’t touch me.” Well, that’s not technically true. We did a lot of touching, but not the kind she’s referring to. And not the type I want to think about when he’s made me an outcast.
“Are you all right?” she asks. “Who did this to you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
She quirks a brow in offence. “Right… Okay, then. I’ll leave you in peace.”
I scoff as they start toward the house. There’s no peace here. There never was. Not even in those precious moments spent alone with Cole.
But I was brought here for a reason. Cole dragged me into hell to tell Keira her father was dead, and now I understand why.
Luther’s kids hated him. They despised everything he did. And they loved him in equal measure.
They didn’t want his murder. They just had no other choice.
“Wait,” I beg. “There’s something Keira needs to know.”
They pause collectively, then Hunt steps forward, his stance dominant. “If this is going to be some thinly veiled threat—”
“Quiet.” Sarah claps him on the chest. “Let her speak.”
They all stare, watching, waiting.
“He’s dead, Keira.” The admission lifts from the hollowness carving out my middle. “Luther is gone.”
She stares at me without reaction. Without acknowledgement. As if I didn’t speak.
“When?” Decker breaks the awkward silence.
“Earlier. Less than an hour ago. They’re still cleaning up.”
Keira turns, her stride determined as she continues for the house.
Her crew follow.
“Decker, wait.”
He stiffens, his brutal glare hitting me from over his shoulder. “What?”
“Can I have a minute?”
He bares his teeth, not hiding an ounce of his hatred, then glances back at Keira. “Go ahead without me. I’ll catch up.” He crosses his muscled arms over his chest and stalks toward me. “What do you want?”
“There’s something waiting for you inside.”
He pulls a face—a mix of incredulity and a
I open my mouth, but pause, unsure how to continue.
Maybe I’m not the person he should be hearing this from. The euphoric news shouldn’t be tainted because it came from the lips of an enemy.
He deserves to believe the information as soon as he hears it. After everything he’s been through, I want him to fully accept the relief without hesitation.
“It’s something good.”
His frown deepens. “Like a fucking present?”
I chuckle despite the seriousness. “Yeah, I guess.”
“And you’re not going to explain?”
He’s such a strong man. A hero in his own right.
He went through hell with Pe
“I’ll leave that up to Cole.” I want to tell him everything. To salvage some of the memories from my time here with the purest glimpse of happiness. But it’s not my place. “I just want you to know I’m happy for you.”