Fuck.
Rhett calmly sets the gun down on top of the table before pouring himself a glass of water. Like he didn’t just murder his wife in cold blood in front of an audience. “She was my wife. She was my responsibility to deal with.”
“So why even bother bringing her here?” Eric asks, clenching and unclenching his fists.
To torment Chad and remind us of our place.
I think it, but I don’t say it.
“I needed witnesses to her confession.”
Eric barks out a laugh. “You barely let the woman speak.”
“Trust me, she had little of value to add.” Carter sips from his drink, a look of disgust washing over his face when his gaze roams over the dead body of his wife on the ground. Blood is trickling out of the hole in her skull and pooling under the back of her head. “Deal with that,” he says, lifting a hand toward one of the guards. “And call in a cleanup crew. We’re almost done here.” He speaks so flippantly about the woman he shared his life with. The woman who bore him four children. I hated Cleo Carter with a passion, but this man was married to her, and he has no emotion about her death.
A shiver works its way through me. I sometimes forget how dangerous Rhett Carter is, and it’s a mistake I can’t afford to make again.
After the meeting is formally ended, I go with the others to a room on the upper level to watch while they get their brandings done. Jase and Bree are getting their new Luminary symbols added to their chests while Ares and Chad are getting branded for the first time. We are all silent as we make our way upstairs with a couple of guards and Eric Stewart. Everyone is kind of numb after all that’s gone down.
There are two men in silver cloaks awaiting us in the room upstairs. A nurse is also there, and she treats the open cut in my palm and my torn knuckles. Jase and Bree lie down on two raised cots as the men apply the branding. When I am patched up, I hold Jase’s hand in mine while his branding is done, and Eric Stewart holds his daughter’s hand.
Ares and Chad remain stoic but pale as they watch and wait their turn. Ceremonial music filters out from wall-mounted speakers, and it’s very out of place in the cold clinical room with the white walls and functional furniture.
When Jase and Bree are done and are swapping the cots with Chad and Ares, Eric Stewart pulls me aside to whisper in my ear. “I’d like you to come with me. You need to speak to your uncle.”
I arch a brow. “Why?”
“He has things to say you need to hear.”
I turn to look at Jase, but Eric shakes his head. “Just you,” he says in a low voice. “Let Jase and Bree stay here to help Blade and Chad through it.”
“What’s going on?” Jase asks, coming up behind us.
“I am taking Ashley to speak to her uncle,” Eric says.
“I’m coming.”
Eric shakes his head. “Stay here, son.”
Jase’s jaw locks tight.
“I promise I will stay by her side and ensure she is safe.” Eric smiles down at me. “Ashley is not just your wife. She is our daughter-in-law. I will protect her with my life.”
I know Jase has issues with his dad, but no one could listen to those words and deny the sincerity of them. It bleeds from his tone and the expression on his face.
“I’ll kill you if anything happens to her.”
“Jase!” I hiss, cautioning him with my eyes. “You don’t need to threaten your father. Nothing is going to happen to me.”
Eric smiles at his son. “You’ll make a great husband and Luminary.” His eyes soften a little. “I’m proud of you and the man you’re becoming.”
Shock registers on Jase’s face. “Keep my wife safe” is all he says in reply a couple of beats later.
Eric nods and steers me out of the room.
ChapterForty-Three
Ashley
