Thoth grumbled. “I seriously hate you some days.”
My dad just smiled. “I know. But I had your guard save everything.” He turned to me. “Tomorrow drive back to the school. Go to the guard at the apartment building and say the word ‘Tanka’. He will hand over everything.”
“Everything?” I leaned over. “What have you been keeping from me?” I felt my stomach quiver a bit.
Thoth snorted. “Everything.”
I looked between the dark screen and my father’s face, who looked a little guilty. “Why do I feel like there is a lot more to the story?”
“Because there is.” Thoth sighed. “But it doesn’t matter. What’s done is done. Everything is already completely fucked now, anyway. You knowing now isn’t going to change a fucking thing.” Thoth was pissed. We could both hear it in his voice. What the hell did my dad keep from me?
My father winced. “I did what I thought was best for you.”
I sighed. “I’m an adult daddy. I can make that decision myself.” I shook my head. “But we got off topic.” I rubbed at my face. “I’ll go grab everything tomorrow and then we will have another call to go over everything. But right this second. Let’s jump back to the rogues. They are obviously being controlled by the twins, and by extension Verity. Which brings me to the next topic. Verity was here.”
“What do you mean?” Thoth sounded confused. “How is that even possible?”
“What do you mean? What doImean?” I shot back. “She was here. I saw her before she took off. And then when Vince called her to knock me out, she told him she was already with ‘The Brotherhood of Bloodshed’, whoever they are. But they seem to be the ones in charge.”
My dad looked off to the side. “Are you sure they called themselves that?”
I nodded. “Completely sure.” I rolled my neck back. “I heard it a few times, and Brandon kept groaning about the brotherhood.” I leaned against my headboard.
“Wait, let’s jump back for a second. When and where did you see Verity?” Thoth interrupted.
“In the forest around Vince’s pack. I ran there from the airport, so I’m honestly not one hundred percent where I was in the woods. But apparently she has this place locked down with draining traps.” I rubbed my eyes. I was tired. “The day I sent mom to the cabin…so like six days I think, maybe seven days ago.”
Thoth hummed. “Are you sure?”
“About how many days ago, no. But between five and seven, for sure. About seeing Verity, yes. I am one hundred percent sure. She was flirting with Rick, which was pretty fucking gross, if you ask me.”
My dad snorted. “Why are you asking about Verity?”
“Because I have someone following her, and the guard reported that Verity was still in the capitol with the King.”
“Then they were lying.” I cut in.
Thoth was silent for a minute, then he groaned. “Fuck.”
My dad’s eyes tightened. “Was the one you have following Verity someone close?”
Thoth snorted. “I thought so.” He scoffed. “But I guess I was fucking wrong.”
My dad leaned on his desk, closer to the screen. “Did you give her the necklace?” He tried to sound aloof, but I could tell he was concerned by the way his forehead crinkled.
“No.” Thoth sighed. “I don’t trust anyone enough to give them the necklace.” I heard him crack his knuckles. I could almost picture him, but his face eluded me.
My dad raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
Thoth chuckled. “Sadly Gav, I only have you and Amy.” He sighed. “That’s a little sad, isn’t it?”
My dad smiled. “You have more than us. You just aren’t sure who is on your side.”
“That’s the fucking point, Gav.” There was another smashing sound from his side. “How are we supposed to be sure, when we have people we are supposed to trust turning on us?”
I watched the two carry on and felt like I was missing something. “Why do I feel like I am out of the loop?” I looked between the screens. “I mean, I know I am, but something is going on between you two.”
My dad scratched the back of his head and chuckled. “Old friends baby. That’s all. Anyway, get back to your story. What the hell happened to you? And how the hell did you end up in a cell?”
