The thought of the sweet boy in Evander's clutches ignited a fire in my chest, a burning rage I hadn't felt in years. Brady's expression hardened, his jaw clenching. He reached out, taking my hand and squeezing it tightly.
"He won't touch Julian, Fallon. Not while I'm fucking breathing. And you," he added, his voice low and dangerous, "You are stronger than you think. You’ve survived worse. You'll use him, just like you used Foley to get me out. You can do this. I know you can.”
His words, meant to reassure, felt more like a death sentence. A forced march back into the darkness. I wanted to scream, to lash out, but I knew I couldn't. I had to protect Julian. I had to play the part, even if it meant sacrificing myself all over again.
“Okay,” I managed, my voice a mere whisper. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
A flicker of relief, pride, maybe even a hint of guilt—crossed Brady's face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He nodded, then turned back to the bottle, busying himself with it as though the matter was settled. I turned away, the backpack heavy in my hand. Julian was waiting, his innocent face illuminated by the warm glow of the kitchen. I couldn't tell him the truth. I couldn't burden him with the knowledge of the danger that awaited us.
"Let's go, kiddo," I said, forcing a smile that felt like a mask.
I took a deep breath. I walked back into the living room, my legs feeling like lead. War and Hitch were still by the car waiting. I forced my lips into a smile.
"Let's go," I repeated, feeling like I was walking into the lion’s den.
As Brady, Julian, and I walked out of the house, I realized the cold had begun to seep into my bones, a chill that had nothing to do with the winter air. War’s gaze never left me, and I felt the weight of his attention like a physical burden. Hitch, as usual, gave nothing away, but I knew him, understood him.
"So, what's first?" War asked, his voice smooth and laced with a predatory edge. "Christmas lights? Or something a little more… exciting?"
I forced a laugh, feeling the knot of anxiety in my stomach tighten. "Lights are fine. Julian's really looking forward to Santa."
The words felt hollow, a desperate attempt to cling to some semblance of normalcy. War’s smile widened, but the excitement in his eyes didn’t seem genuine.
“Whatever you want, darling,” he replied, and I flinched, the word dripping with a sarcasm that was not only directed at me but also towards everyone else surrounding me.
As we walked towards the car, the silence between us was punctuated by the crunch of snow beneath our feet. I glanced at Hitch, searching for any hint of what he was thinking, but his face was an unreadable mask. Was he with War? Was he playing a game too? I was sick of it, and for the life of me, couldn’t see the end of it.
Julian, oblivious to the undercurrents of danger, chattered excitedly about Santa and presents. My heart ached at his innocence, the pure joy in his eyes. He deserved better than this. He deserved a life free of secrets and fear. But I’d made my bed, and now I had to lie in it. Or, in this case, drive to it.
The black car, which looked like it belonged to a movie star, pulled up in front of us, and I was forced to smile and try to play my part. It felt as if everyone surrounding me was aware, and knew something I didn’t. Hitch opened the back door, and I buckled Julian in, trying to block out the darkness that surrounded me. .
fourteen
a killer reunion
Fallon
Having found a parking spot, we trudged through the snow toward the town square, a dazzling array of lights and garland that had transformed downtown into a winter wonderland. Julian's excitement was infectious, his smile brightening the already festive night.
"There's Eliza," Brady announced, practically bouncing as he rushed toward her.
I saw the way he loved her, and how completely oblivious my best friend was, and it was endearing, though a little bittersweet. I wanted them to be happy, they both deserved it. But since Nina's death, Brady had withdrawn from everyone, and it had taken Eliza years to chip away at the walls he'd built around himself.
The only thing holding Brady back was a secret we guarded fiercely. If it came out, lives would be irrevocably changed, truths would be revealed, and the healing, hopefully, could begin. But we were terrified of the repercussions. We'd spentyearsweaving our lives around a lie, a lie we'd sworn to protect, no matter the cost.Until Evander Foley was gone, no one would be safe, especially if our secret saw the light of day.
I watched Brady sweep Julian and Eliza away into a swirling dance of twinkling lights, leaving me alone with Hitch and War, and a knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.
"I need a drink," Hitch declared, heading toward the hot chocolate stand, and reluctantly, War and I followed.
I could feel War's eyes on me as we walked, but nerves made it impossible for me to meet his gaze. Still, I could sense the curve of his smile, and for some reason, it warmed me from the inside out, despite the chattering of my teeth. As Hitch reached the booth, War shoved me against a lamppost, trapping me with his body. His fingers tilted my chin up, forcing my eyes to meet his, and a sudden realization dawned on him, fueling my unease.
"Fallon," he murmured, his voice husky.
"Yeah?" I managed, my voice cracking.
He shook his head, looking down for a brief moment. "Never mind," he mumbled, a flicker of something akin to defeat crossing his face.
Shocking myself, I stepped closer, grabbing the lapels of his jacket and drawing him closer. Even in my platform boots, he was much taller, so I rose on my tiptoes, finally able to reach his mouth. I kissed him, words failing me. I cupped his head in my hands, exploring the taste of him, secretly craving more.
