Arson, assault, blackmail of multiple men. Just things they couldn’t sweep under the rug fast enough. His name’s been in more headlines than some politicians. Always the same story, then nothing at all. No charges. No fallout. No one ever really surprised. Because when your last name is Carson, the rules bend. And if they don’t, someone makes sure they do.
The guy could burn down the city and walk away with clean hands then get praised in the papers for his impeccable fashion sense.
Guess those are the perks when your family oversees the police force.
You can grip the law by the throat.
And then, Liam Grey. Another friend.
His family is practically drowning in fame. Completely overflowing with actors, actresses, singers… you name it. But Liam made a name for himself mainly through football, though not so much anymore. No one knows why he suddenly lost interest in the game when he was doing so well. When he could have easily been one of the greats.
Suddenly—out of nowhere—the headlines stopped being about his goals and trophies and started being about his endeavours with women. Famous ones, unknown ones. It didn’t matter.
Kai Steele. Christian Ryder. Will Carson. Liam Grey.
Four names that could stop a room. Four boys people worshipped, feared, envied, hated—usually all at once.
“So, you’re saying, you’re paying foreverything? How is this even possible?” Naomi shrieks at a volume that halts my thoughts for a few moments. “This is… it’s like a dream. Thank you. I don’t even know what to say.”
She sounds almost cautious, as if she’s afraid saying the wrong thing might make him take it all back. I should probably be feeling the same. And yet there’s this feeling twisting in my stomach, the sense that something about this just doesn’t add up. There are strings attached to this, I’m positive about that. Tangled in a way we barely notice.
“Can you give us a moment?” I ask, my voice steady, but barely. He nods with an understanding smile, and I lightly grab Naomi’s arm, snapping her out of her daze.
“We need to think this through,” I say, looking from Naomi to Sam. “This man’s still a stranger, no matter what he says about Dad. We don’t know anything about him.”
Naomi lets out a frustrated sigh and glares at me. “Adeline, don’t be stupid. Why can’t you just be happy for once? You always find a reason to doubt everything. We’re accepting this offer, even if you won’t go.”
I open my mouth to respond, but before I can, Sam speaks up. “Addie’s right. Heisa stranger.” For a second, relief washes over me. Sam, at least, is seeing reason. But then she shrugs, a small, almost careless gesture, her expression hardening. “But he’s also offering us a way out of this place. I don’t know about you, but I think we should just… do it.”
For a moment, I’m stunned, seeing Sam, my practical, sceptical sister, of all people, willing to take such a leap. Adangerousone. She doesn’t look at me as she says it, and I can’t shake the sinking feeling in my stomach. But she’s right, isn’t she? No one comes to save people like us. And despiteeverything in me screaming to walk away, the truth is, wearedesperate.
I turn my gaze to the man currently standing in our kitchen. He watches us with a calm smile, as if he’s just secured some inevitable outcome, like this was always meant to be.
To him, it might all seem simple. A matter of black and white: his debt to our father; us accepting out of necessity. A neat, clean transaction. But life isn’t like that. It’s never been black and white, not even close. There are greys, and there are shadows. There are other colours, too—bright, dazzling ones. Dull, sickly ones as well. A part of me wonders if he even sees those, or if he’s just pretending they don’t exist.
Maybe, for him, it’s easier that way.
“All right,” I say quietly, the words barely leaving my mouth. “We’ll do it.”
We step back into the kitchen, where Mr. Ryder stands waiting, his hands clasped in front of him, looking calm and collected, like he knew our answer before we did. Naomi doesn’t hesitate, her voice bright and confident. “We accept.”
A part of me feels like we’re sealing some kind of contract.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll get everything covered for you, including uniforms. You start next week.” The man beams and I internally scoff.
However, a hint of relief rises through me at the mention of uniforms. I was always made fun of for the way I dressed; at least this way, we’ll all look the same. Regardless, I can’t shake the nagging suspicion that there’s something seriously odd about this whole situation.
This sort of thing never happens in the real world. And I’m not naïve enough to think that people like him are this generous.
Unless they’re hiding something.
I just know that accepting an offer like this blindly won’t end well for any of us. And frankly, I don’t think I can handle any more betrayal.
THREE
Iknock softly on my mother’s door, bracing myself for the silence that will likely follow. The plate of food in my hands wobbles, and I steady it, taking a slow breath. I’ve spent so much extra time on this breakfast. Stocked the fridge, made it as close to perfect as I could.I have to do this.
When I don’t hear an answer, I slowly open the door. Her back is facing me when I walk in. I can almost smell the guilt and despair in the air, thick with that unmoving sadness.
