"Tick tock, Choyce, tick tock."
"Because she's my light," I murmured as it all started to make sense.
"Precisely. Had what I planned for happened, I wouldn't be here watching your light sleep. It was never supposed to be you. Chosyn was who I wanted. However, things have a way of working out in my favor. Had Chosyn been the one to marry Talon, I wouldn't have an heir. She wouldn't have let him climb on top of her. She's too strong-willed. Like Honor, she might've tried to take her life."
I closed my eyes to keep the lone tear from falling.
"She might have succeeded because there wouldn't be anything to tether her to this world. Honor had Navy. They met maybe ten minutes before he put the gun to his head, and she came running out screaming for him not to do it."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you need to understand it will never be you. I cemented the bond between Honor and Navy. Their relationship is my insurance that Honor will always do as I say. The same way Cherish's well-being will ensure you'll do whatever I say."
"Lucian I?—"
"Now isn't the time to speak," he interrupted, his voice colder than before. "Now is when you listen. What happens next is entirely up to you. Honor is pushing back, and I need you to reel him in."
"How? Navy seems better suited for the job," I scoffed, momentarily forgetting who I was talking to.
"That hint of jealousy you spoke with is how you'll make sure he does what I asked. If you don't, I'll have no other choice but to dim that pretty, innocent light of yours."
Shock set in as my voice trembled out.
"Yo-you wouldn't hurt her?"
"Lynx's parents have to die. Make sure Honor handles business, and the answer to that question won't matter."
Lucian stood from the chair and ambled over to Cherish's bed. As he leaned down, my heart went numb. He kissed her softly, then came over to me.
"You're my second because you agreed to do unimaginable things when the time comes. That time is now. If you can't handle what I'm asking of you, then maybe?—"
"Consider it handled," I quipped, squaring my shoulders.
"Great. Report back once it's done." He smirked, walking toward the bedroom door. Before stepping through the threshold, he stopped and looked back.
"You traded in your mansion for a small house… why?"
"I wanted a break from all that house. Plus, I wanted to see if Talon and I could rekindle our friendship."
"Even though you know he'll be dead soon?" he challenged.
"Distance is where men get brave. Proximity is where they behave," I recited, repeating what I overheard him tell Chance long ago.
"Smart girl. If you understand that, then you understand my reason for wanting to keep Honor close."
I nodded.
"Make sure you tell my son to bring his ass home. He has a daughter to raise and can't do that if his mouth is full of sperm."
My stomach knotted as I relived Lucian's visit. I drummed my fingers against the counter as my mind looped in search of a solution. Lucian made it clear he was out for blood and didn't care whose blood had to spill to get what he wanted. In a matter of moments, Cherish went from being my daughter to a pawn in Lucian's game.
"Fuck!" I groaned, slamming my hand against the counter.
I needed help, but the person I needed to help me was nowhere to be found. Honor stopped answering my calls after he cursed me out. I tried texting, and every message showed up green. Honor was the fucking problem and the solution, and thenigga thought it best to freeze me out. I was pissed, but at the same time, I couldn't blame him. Lucian has been playing mind games with him for what seemed like forever. If I were Honor, I'd want out, too, but how he was going about it was all wrong.
"Cherish, come into the kitchen, please," I called out, and after a few minutes, Cherish came strutting into the kitchen with her iPad in hand.
"Yes, Mommy," she answered, climbing onto one of the stools.
