“Did you…” Addison shakes her head. “Never mind—”
“Ask me.” I press. “I’ll tell you.”
Her eyes linger on me, softening a fraction. “You said your dad was abusive…”
I nod. “He was. He trained us himself. My mom played a hand, but she was more subtle with her tactics. She mostly played the doting mother while my father took his anger out on us. In the end, she used it as life lessons.”
Addison gives a humorless snort. “She was just as horrible.”
“She never raised a hand to us.” I shrug. It’s the same thing I told myself when I chose to keep her alive. It’s the same thing I told my siblings when Thalia was frothing at the maw to make our mother pay for what she sat by and watched happen to us. It’s a thin excuse, but I never could cut the tie. I wanted a reminder that it was allreal, and seeing my mother once a month after my father died was like the dose of reality I needed to keep me grounded.
“That doesn’t make it right,” Addison says in disbelief. “She may have never raised a hand to you, but sheknewwhat was going on and did nothing to stop it.”
It’s like whiplash hearing her become angry on my behalf while still boiling with rage over what I’ve put her through. It’s something I’m not used to. People are never angryforme. I’m the leader of the Midwestern syndicate. I’m meantto be impenetrable, but Addison Bright has just seen right to one of my deepest scars, and she’s enraged by it.
All these years…
I never had the time to dwell on the past. She really is unraveling me.
“It’s done,” I say. “Next question.”
“I’m not done,” she waves me off, unable to let this go. “Are they both—”
“Dead? No. My dad is, but Mom lives in a house on the compound. She isn’t on speaking terms with us.”
Her mouth falls open as her anger builds. “Seriously?! She watched you all go through hell, and isn’t speaking to you? How selfish can this woman be?”
Now I laugh bitterly. “You would be surprised.”
“She’s a grade A cunt, if you ask me. Does she know what a narcissist is? She’s like the textbook version!” She crosses her arms, settling back in her chair.
I chuckle. “I’ve been saying that for years.”
Her lips quirk before she catches herself. “Did you…kill…your dad?” She whispers it like it’s some big secret, and I can’t keep the smile off my face.
“No,” I whisper back. “But I did orchestrate it.”
“Good on you,” she praises. “I never thought I would agree with you on anything, but I’m glad it’s this.”
“Me too, Sunshine.” I turn on the stove and gather my ingredients.
“Don’t take this little moment as a sign that I’ve forgiven you!” she calls.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
She taps on the table, taking in the kitchen as I flick on a few lights. “Those guys that were following us—”
“I handled them. Everything has been squared away, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try something. When we take hits, other assassins can get in the way. If they have major ties with their organization, family members, or spouses, could come after whoever harms them. It’s common in my line ofwork, but you and Loxley are safe here.”
“When will I get to see her?” She asks.
“Soon,” I promise. “I’m letting everything settle down first.”
She makes a sound. “If we’re safe here, then why can’t I see her right now? And where is my phone?”
“Your phone is put up until I trust that you won’t call the police on me.”
“Right,” she mutters. “BecauseIwould be in the wrong for that. Still doesn’t answer why I can’t see Loxley.”
