“I’m not sure why you make the fact that she’s a founder sound like a problem.” I act like I have no clue where he’s going with this.
Bill sighs. “They won’t give her an assignment because they can’t punish her if she fails.”
“I don’t understand,” I continue to play along.
“She can’t have children.” He squares his shoulders and shoves his hand into his pocket. “As a founder, if she fails her assignment, she will become a breeder. But that’s not possible for her.”
“If she fails, I’ll take her punishment.” If for some reason I don’t get to marry her, then nothing else will matter anyway.
“What?” Sin spins around. “Kash, that’s not?—”
“You’d do it for Elli,” I interrupt him, and he curses under his breath, knowing I’m right.
Bill growls my name. “Kash…”
“Adam showed me the police report. I know they are trying to frame her for the deaths of those women. I’m the only other option she has for protection.” If he knows how serious I am, maybe he’ll think twice the next time he suggests shipping her off. Adam said she had resources, and Bill is it.
Bill glares at Adam, who shows no sign of remorse. “He’s not wrong,” Adam agrees.
“Why would they want to pin Everett for the murders?” Sin wonders.
“We don’t know.” Bill falls into his seat and buries his head in his hands. “But I think it has to do with Adam.”
I turn to face him. “Why the fuck are the Lords targeting her for you?”
His jaw sharpens when he answers. “Hell if I know.”
“Adam’s supposed to be dead,” Sin guesses. “I killed him. Maybe they don’t believe it?”
“I’m pretty sure the Lords still believe he’s dead,” Bill says.
“Then what does it have to do with him?” I bark. Fuck, we’re going around in circles. I turn my attention to Bill. “Make Eve my Lady.”
“I can’t guarantee?—”
“I’m a fucking Spade brother,” I shout. “I’ve never asked them for anything. But this…her. I want her. No matter what it costs me. I have to be ‘useful’ to them somehow.” His narrowed eyes meet mine. Hell, even his ex-wife Isabella was going to use Haidyn, from what we guessed. “Make this happen, William.” I use his real name, and his face tightens. “Or I will make sure the world knows the truth about you.” He’s got a secret son who trained sex slaves. He knows about Dollhouse. Made a deal with Adam. I know there’s more about him that we don’t know, but I will die fucking finding whatever I need.
He walks around his desk, and I meet him halfway. “Do you think threatening me is in your best interest?”
“It should show you how serious I am and that I’ll do whatever needs to be done in order to get what I want. Make it happen.” Then I turn and head for the double doors to exit his study. “I expect to hear from you by noon tomorrow.”
I storm through the house and out the front door. I get into my car, where I squeal my tires as I take off before Adam or Sin can stop me.
I have the urge to go back to Eve’s house, but there’s one more thing I need to do first.
I never really had any plans for my future, but now I know what I want and how long I want it for.
Her name is Everett Sinclair, and I want her forever.
Pulling up to Carnage, I run up the steps and into the building, heading for the hospital. I need to see Devin.
EVERETT
Nineteen years old
A gush of air leaves my lungs when I’m dropped to a hard floor. I groan, rolling over onto my side, and curl into a ball.
“Name?” a woman’s voice asks. It sounds familiar, but my foggy mind can’t place it.
