I point an accusing finger at him, chuckling bitterly. “Oh, you don't get to step in and pretend to be father of the year! Twenty-seven years, and not once did you say a word to me! We visited every year!”
“And it’s a regret I have to fucking bear!” He slams his fist atop the wooden desk. “I made a mistake letting your mother go. I should have chosen both of you, but I was young and naive. I made the wrong decision, and it led me to this. I hate myself for not being there for you, but I couldn't let this organization go.”
I shake my head at him. “And why couldn't you choose your own daughter over this?”
The anger melts off of him, settling into a deep sadnessI've never seen on my stoic uncle. “Because it was either me or my brother. One of us had to stay behind, and he wanted out. We were both head over heels in love with your mom,” he glances at her, his eyes softening. “I was callous and bound by duty while my brother, Maverick, was outgoing and charismatic. He was always the first one people noticed. They flocked to him, but your mom noticedme. While he tried desperately for her attention, she gravitated towards me. One thing led to another, and she found out she was pregnant with you. She knew about the syndicate and had a very hard choice to make. She didn't want you subjected to the assassin training. She didn't want to watch her only child suffer the way I had. As next in line for my father’s title, it boiled down to either me going on the run with her or sending someone else to watch over both of you. In the end, Maverick stepped up. He took my place, and I watched you grow up from the sidelines.” My uncle hangs his head. “I’ll never get those years back…”
This is a mental overload.
My uncle is actually my father, and I have a half-brother who I thought was my cousin. My own mother has been lying to me for years, and there’s no telling what else isn't true.
It’s too much.
“I would never replace your Dad,” Uncle Ford says quietly. “He was your father.”
A thick silence blankets us, almost suffocating me. I don't even feel like I can stomach looking my Mom in the eyes anymore.
I can see where she decided that keeping me separate from this lifestyle would have benefited me, but I can't accept it. She was doing all of this to protect me, but it doesn't make it right.
“I can’t believe you kept this from me,” Logan says, his whole demeanor radiating shock and resentment. “All of these years…”
“I’m sorry, son.” Uncle Ford apologizes. It sounds genuine enough, but my cousin isn't standing for it.
“Sorrycan't fix this.” Logan sneers.
My uncle clears his throat. “No, it can't. Nothing can fix the damage that's been done, but we’re all here now. Hopefully, you kids can forgive us one day.”
That’s it?
He expects us all to just move past this?
I don't know what reality he’s living in, but it isn't the same one I'm from.
I wave a hand, feeling tired. “You can have this little pitty party without me. I need space.”
“Addie!” Mom calls before I can reach for the door. “Where are you going?”
“Wherever Rowan will bring me, that isn'there.” I spit.
“Kid,” Uncle Ford says with that rough authority that could make mere men shake in their boots. “You can't leave this compound.”
“Like hell I can't,” I mutter.
Logan presses a hand to the door, preventing me from opening it as he frowns. “I don’t like this any more than you do, but you can't leave with him.”
My head rears. “And why not?”
“Because he’s just as bad as them,” he motions to our parents. “What your mom did wasn't right, but keeping you safe was. Going with Kingsley is like accepting that your life is about to change, because it will. You’ll become a target to any enemies he has.”
My hand tightens on the door. “At least he was up front with me. He didn't lie about who he was.” I face my cousin—brother, staring into his eyes with conviction. “And I choose him over whatever the fuck this is.”
My mom gasps, but I still can't look at her.
“I need to speak with Kingsley,” My Uncle—father—whatever he is, interjects. “You’re now a part of this branch, and he needs to understand that.”
My teethgrind.
He’s going to use some outdated, ridiculous rule to keepme here, but I know Rowan won't stand for it. And neither will I.
