“I’m going to the greenhouse.”
At another stage in our relationship, her demands might’ve irritated me. Now, however… I admire her for them. She’s just succeeded in nearly evening the playing field. I still have the advantage, but she’s just earned herself a significant amount of power… not just with me, not just with Cain, but with the Nighthawks at large. “Alright. I’ll send Tobias with you.”
She starts walking to the door, but I call her name, and she pauses with her hand on the doorknob. “I love you,” I tell her.
She turns around to look at me. My heart sinks at the sheer agony on her face.
“I know,” she says softly. “And that is the greatest curse I’ve ever been saddled with.”
I break into the most expensive whisky I have, but I don’t chug it or drink myself silly like I did after Sam’s death. Instead, I sip it leisurely while going over documents.
I only get about an hour to process the shitshow that went down before Cain says he wants to see me. Since I have no urge to make the trip up to his office, and Scarlett’s safely tucked away at the greenhouse, I text him to come to me.
Two minutes later, booming knocks shake my front door. When I let Cain in, he doesn’t waste any time making himself at home in my office and pouring himself a glass of whisky.
“I heard the call,” he said. “Scarlett did her part. She needs to continue doing it.”
I don’t respond. I don’t tell him what Scarlett revealed to me—I have no urge to give Cain a target for revenge.
Cain and I both sip our drinks, staring at each other from across my desk.
“You’re welcome, by the way,” he says snarkily.
I set my glass down loudly, irritation filling me at his gall. “What the fuck are you expecting a thank-you for?”
“The whipping. It put Scarlett in the exact position I knew it would. It improved your relationship and prompted her to take the necessary steps to avoid being an abused hostage.” Cain takes another sip. “So, again, you’re welcome.”
“You did that onpurpose?” I demand after a breathless moment. “Whatpossible outcomedid you think almostkilling mewould lead to?” That’stwiceI’ve almost died because of Cain’s twisted plans. Idesperatelywant to reach for the nearest gun and blow Cain’s screwed-up brains out. Only worry for Scarlett’s safety holds me back.
With all the puzzle pieces Cain’s constantly moving, I’d be amazed if he doesn’t have contingencies planned in the event that I snap and kill him. Ones that end with meandScarlett dying painful, bloody deaths.
I can’t do that to her.
“Making Scarlett finally believe that you won’t hurt her,” Cain says tonelessly. “Making you into a martyr for her benefit. Do you really believe I didn’t expect you to take her place in the punishment? You think I didn’t anticipate everything that would lead us to this moment?Please.” He scoffs and knocks back the rest of the whisky in one go. I dig my nails into my palms, hoping that’s enough to keep me from putting a bullet in this bastard’s head. “I’ll say it one more time:you’re welcome.”
My jaw clenches. I tilt my head to the side as I look Cain over, appraising him.
After everything I’ve learned about my boss… I’m no longer as surprised by this revelation as I once would’ve been. In a way, it makes perfect sense. Cain waited outside for me and Scarlett that day. He taunted her until she snapped—then he whipped me instead of her until I almost died. Every one of his actions is calculated to play a very long game.
We’re all just pawns on his chessboard, and the ends will always justify the means for him.
Letting Scarlett nearly kill me justified getting her back to her brother. Nearly killing me himself justified the impact it had on my relationship with Scarlett. Cain was willing to put me on death’s doorstep to get what he wanted,twice.
The only thing I’m certain he wants is a peaceful way forward with Eric—which tells me that Eric’s a bigger threat than Cain lets on. He’d make a formidable enemy.
“You destroy everything you touch,” I tell him. “You’re a fucking disease, Cain, and I deeply regret my role in spreading it.”
If my words have any impact on him, he doesn’t show it. “You’ll see that everything I do is for the benefit of the Nighthawks—”
“No, Cain. Everything you do is for your own benefit. Keeping the Nighthawks strong gives you more power. Rearranging the inner workings of our ranks and systems gives you total control. Having Scarlett here, betraying everything she is by doing what you ask, benefits your relationship with Eric. Now, there’s no way he’ll stop working with us, because he wants his sister safe—and he thinks she’s falling in love with me. Don’t pull the man-of-the-people bullshit on me; you don’t care about anyone but yourself.”
“Be careful, Greyson,” he says quietly. “Be very,verycareful. If I didn’t whip you, Scarlett wouldn’t have been willing to lie for you. And if she didn’t do that, I’d have cut off her fingers to keep Eric in line. Ihavehad your back, whether or not you want to believe it.”
“Get the fuck out of my office.” I can’t stand the sight of him for a second longer. “Get thefuckout, Cain. I’ll keep doing my part around here, but any illusion ofcomraderywe had?” I shake my head. “Our friendship died when I found out you tortured Scarlett even though you knew she was innocent. Now, any politeness is done. Sogo.”
Cain smoothly stands from the seat and buttons the front of his suit jacket. “Let me know when you’ve gotten over your childish emotions.”
With that, he’s gone. He leaves me with my thoughts reeling, my anger buzzing, and my urge to drown in whiskyalmostoverwhelming.
