Caelian and I are different in that way—he compartmentalizes much easier than I do.
In the bated moment leading up to his decision, I forget to breathe. I’m under the assumption he’s about to make me nauseous with his brutish mafia boss ways. He proves me completely wrong.
“You have the rest of the night,” he says to Ms. Poitier. “You have the next few hours to sit here locked up in this room with nothing but the dark and your thoughts. I’ll return, and when I do, I expect some answers… or you can expect some suffering.”
I’m speechless as we walk out of the room and leave Ms. Poitier seated in the dark cell. My voice doesn’t return until the door thuds shut and we’re halfway down the corridor. Clutching Caelian by the arm, I force myself to keep in step with him despite his gait being twice as wide as mine.
“You’re giving her some time? I was half expecting you to start prying off her fingernails for answers!”
“I was about to… but you saved her. For a few hours at least.”
“What will you do when you return?”
His square jaw pulls tight as he considers his answers for a moment. “Scare the shit out of her in hopes she’ll come clean without bloodshed.”
“Cael, you didn’t want to hurt her!” I squeeze his muscled arm tighter. “You’re saying it was because of me… but you didn’t want to either!”
“I’m not entirely convinced yet. It still seems like there’s something we’re missing. It makes no sense for Ms. Poitier to betray me now, after years of loyalty. If this was really about sabotaging me, she’s had plenty of opportunity in the past.”
“You mean you think this is a red herring?”
“I mean I’ve had a long night. There has already been bloodshed,” he says mysteriously. We’ve reached the spiraling staircase that leads to the ground floor. He eases me in front ofhim to go up first. “A few hours will give Ms. P time to think about what she’s done and if she wants to cooperate. And it’ll give me time to recharge.”
Caelian says this as if it’s nothing to worry about, but by the time we’re making it up to our bedroom, my concern has grown. Twice I notice him clutch at the left side of his chest as though his heart’s paining him. He takes his nightly dose of medication and is almost immediately out.
I’m wide awake, plagued by worrying thoughts that Caelian is right.
Things aren’t yet all the way clear and it still feels like we’re missing some puzzle pieces.
It feels like we’re not done facing whatever it is we’re fighting against.
TWENTY-TWO
Nevaeh
Caelian sleeps in late.I haven’t been sleeping well, despite how tired I’ve been. It’s like I can’t turn off my brain. Even when I close my eyes, I’m plagued by vivid thoughts.
As he sleeps by my side, many of them take over in the morning stillness.
Ms. Poitier had insisted she was simply out for a stroll. Nothing was nefarious about her late-night walks. Even at the threat of harm, she didn’t budge. She buckled down and stood ten toes deep in her claim.
I’d managed to advocate for her. Caelian had been too exhausted after a long night for a round of interrogation.
Though part of me also suspects that was largely an excuse on his part—he cares for Ms. Poitier as well, even if his persona won’t let him show it in situations like this. He didn’t want to bring her harm or else he would’ve done so swiftly, immediately, like he’s done with everyone else who has crossed him.
We still need to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
If Ms. Poitier is telling the truth, that means the evidence was either falsified or misinterpreted. But why else would she place routine calls to Carmine Ziccardi, the Don of the family? Her loyalty should remain with Caelian, particularly at a time where the father and son are warring.
And midnight strolls into the woods?
I’m not sure I can wrap my head around it.
My thoughts drift to the snow globe stowed away. It holds the key that everyone is on the lookout for. Mom and Dad were willing to do anything for that key, so much so they risked my life and betrayed me. Ignazio was never fond of me in the first place.
Both Nero Vorone and Carmine Ziccardi would eliminate me even sooner if they felt it gave them possession of the key.
Has Ms. Poitier discovered I have it and she’s alerted Carmine to this fact? She knows just about everything that happens under this roof. The eyes and ears of the vast estate.
