“Just hear me out,” Sin interrupts Eve, looking at Adam to explain. “If she’s a mole. She’ll have information we could use.”
“If Evan is involved like we think, she could lead us to him.” Saint nods.
“It’s the only plausible explanation,” Adam agrees. “We know they administer drugs at Dollhouse; it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to think they take blood samples. Evan could have very easily planted Eve’s DNA on the dead body for the cops to find.”
“But this woman is in a coma right now,” Ryat reminds him. “What the fuck do we do with her until she wakes up?Ifshe wakes up?” he corrects himself.
“Sounds no different from Laura,” I add. “We keep her alive until she’scoherent. We have Gavin remove her from the hospital and Devin monitor her at Carnage. When she wakes, we see what she knows. That determines whether we kill her or throw her in a cell.”
Either way, we won’t let her go free. The woman knows too much about Eve to identify her. So like Sin said, she’s got to go.
“You need to get the fuck out of town. I don’t care where you go, but go. Don’t pack a bag, don’t go to Carnage. I’ve got the jet fueled and ready for you at a private airfield. I’ll send you the information.” Adam checks his watch. “We’ll let you know once she’s been delivered to Carnage.”
Ryat is the first one to say goodbye, and Sin follows. Adam lingers over in the corner, talking to Bill, and Tyson has to stay until we’re all gone to lock up.
I grab Eve’s hand, pull her toward the elevator, and push the button, then I turn to her. Green narrowed eyes burn into mine. She’s mad, but I really don’t give a shit. This is her life, and I take that very seriously. The door opens and I usher her into it, pushing the button for the top floor, and step out. “I’ll be right up.”
She huffs, leaning back against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest as the door slides shut.
I make my way back to the bar area, and Saint nods when he spots me over Haidyn’s shoulder. Haidyn turns to face me. “Where the fuck have you been these past few days?” he demands.
“Funny. You didn’t tell me where you were when you were hiding out.” I don’t point out that he was gone for weeks.
“I wasn’t with your sister,” he snaps. “Is this some kind of revenge? Trying to pay me back for leaving Carnage?”
I snort. “You’re the last thing on my mind, Haidyn.”
He huffs and then the anger leaves his face. I stiffen, knowing what he’s going to say next. “We received a video.”
“I’ve seen it,” I inform him, not needing him to explain what was on it. Watching it once was enough.
“Kash—”
“I would stay and help with the girl, but I’m leaving with Eve,” I interrupt him. “Adam will let me know when it’s done, and we’ll return.” With that, I turn, giving them my back, and make my way upstairs.
The one good thing about Haidyn being Eve’s brother is that he’ll do anything to protect her. I might be mad at him, but I trust him a hundred percent to do what needs to be done.
EVERETT
I’m pacing the living room of the apartment above Blackout when the door opens. I glance up to see Kashton enter. “I won’t let you?—”
“Save your life?” he snaps, cutting me off.
I place my hands on my hips and arch a brow at his attitude. But even I know that Sin was right. None of those Lords downstairs will see this situation how I see it. I know I’m innocent. Killing another innocent woman who has been through so much trauma won’t protect me. Her death will still be on my hands. Even if she is a mole. I doubt she volunteered. She was most likely forced into it. Blackmailed and groomed. I know firsthand how hard it is to try and find yourself when your mind has been altered for years.
Kashton sighs, running his hand down his face. “I’m tired, Eve.” Slowly, he walks over to me and cups my cheek. His blue eyes are hard when he adds, “Don’t fight me on this. You won’t win, angel.”
My teeth clench. All I’ve ever known is fight. I huff, “Kash.”
“I want to have a life with you.” His words make my breath come quicker. “As close to a real life as we can have in our world. But if you force my hand, I will do whatever needs to be done.”
I swallow nervously and whisper, “What does that mean?”
Running his tatted knuckles down my racing pulse, he answers, “It means that if I have to collar and lock you in a basement to keep you safe, I will. Either I kill those in my way, or I keep you hidden from the world. You can fight me if you choose to do so, but know my actions will depend on you.” Leaning in, he gently kisses my forehead. “That decision is yours.” Then he pulls away, walking off to the bedroom.
I numbly follow after him, not sure what to do or think after his threat.
I love Kashton. We’ve made it to a point where we can never go back to life without one another. But one question remains. Do we have a future?
