Doing this is as good as signing my life to the devil.
The inner circle is inescapable.
Death is the only way out. Which happens to be a theme for this organization. I’ve got to wonder what our father was thinking when he trained us for the life, knowing it would always end bloody.
“Say that again,” Sebastian has a grin on his face.
“The Farrow’s have always wanted one of the Avery brothers at the table. We have refused. I offer myself in exchange for my brother’s life. He has my service and loyalty.”
“You understand what that means don’t you?” Sebastian drawls as he lifts the gun away from Vanessa’s side, and runs the head of the barrel across her cheek, moving her golden hair with it. She whimpers at the feel of it, but her eyes never stray away from mine.
“Leave it all. Leave them all.” I repeat what I’ve heard over and over, and it’s one of the reasons me and my brothers never wanted a seat, “Forget the life I had.”
“Well, I have to say,” Sebastian finally lowers the gun and I loose a breath, “I didn’t see that coming. But we can’t go and accept on Mr. Farrow’s behalf. A deal will need to be made between you and him.”
“We’ll leave now.” I step forward, reaching for Vanessa but he doesn’t let her go.
“Tomorrow, Kolten. I don’t much like the idea of travelling the sea at night. Six A.M.”
I dip my chin in understanding, waiting for what feels like eternity for him to let Ness go. With a grin, he finally does, giving her a gentle shove towards me. She practically falls into my arms, which I wrap around her, tight enough to keep her upright when her knees are shaking beneath her. Her face buries into my shirt and her shoulders gently shake as the tears she was holding finally come out.
No more words are spoken, the three men leave, only to be gone for a couple hours. At sunrise I’ll be saying goodbye.
“Who were they?” Her voice shakes with the question, thick with tears.
“People I work with.”
She jerks away from me but not too far, at least she doesn’t attempt to escape the cradle of my arms. Her wide, watery eyes stare at my face, searching for answers to questions she’s too afraid to ask.
“Dangerous men, Ness. Like me.”
“Whoare you?” She swallows.
“Someone who has taken what he does not deserve.” I lean in and flinch when she turns away from me.
“Let me go.”
“Ness…”
“I said,let. Me. Go.”
I release my arms and she stumbles back, “Would they have shot me?”
“Yes.”
“You would have let them.” She accuses.
“It’s not that easy, Vanessa. They used you to get to Torin.”
“I never want to see you again, Kolten.” She whispers, “Everything was a mistake.”
Fuck. That stings.
But I nod my understanding.
I expect her to leave immediately but she doesn’t. She stares at me, fresh tears now rolling down her cheeks.
“Fuck!” She hisses under her breath.
