It’s four a.m. by the time I head to bed, and I am up by six, getting ready to meet my sister.
No one knows about Evie. It’s not about trust or distrust, but about offering her the life I never had—free of the shackles of the underworld, unbothered from having bloody hands and a tainted soul.
Or maybe I did it for myself. Keeping her away assured me I could risk it all without anyone holding leverage over me.
I have fought my way up for years, defeating enemies, slaughtering threats, and killing without a single feeling of remorse, my father and uncle included. Demyan is perhaps the only exception, but the fucker gives as good as he takes, our constant battle is in a stalemate.
The power I secured ensures the women in my life are safe, both Viviana and my sister. And as I am determined to make every one of her wishes come true, the world will find out I have a sister.
Evie waits for me at the beach house, waving at me from the edge of the surf, snowflakes stuck in her copper strands, slapping at the wind. She smiles with her entire face as if she’s always happy to see me, digging the knife deeper into that wound that will never heal.
Reaching her, she hugs my side and instantly is on a roll, telling me all about her classes as we stride by the ocean. The crisp air causes an instant chill, and I lift my collar to protect my neck from the biting cold.
But then, as if she remembers, she frowns and pushes at me, but lacks the force to move me.
“Evie, what the fuck?”
“My best friend,” she shrieks. “I swear if you hurt her…”
My jaw sets in a hard line, and I say through the lump lodged in my throat. “I won’t.”
She props her hand on her waist, glaring. “Does she have any idea who you are?”
I purse my lips.
“I figured as much,” she mumbles.
“I’m going to marry her.”
She whips her head toward me, blinking as if processing my words, but they don’t quite stick.
“Marry her?” she asks as if to make sure she heard me right.
I nod, and she opens and closes her mouth a few times, at a loss for words. That’s new.
“You’re going to lose her. Why do you always have to play games, Tristan?” she sighs. “You’re the king of deception, and everyone around you is bound to get hurt. It’s not your intention, but you’re so fucked up that you don’t even realize what’s happening.”
“Done fucking psychoanalyzing me?” I grit out, her words causing a riot inside me.
“Yes. I don’t want to ruin our weekend together.” It’s not an accusation, it’s sympathy I detect in her voice.
“Good,” I grumble.
A few seconds of silence ensue before she starts again. Not surprising at all. My sister is undeterred, her vivacious presence matches her fiery temperament.
“I want to move back to New York. She’ll need someone she can trust. I am done hiding,” she says, looking toward the house. “It’s time to repent, brother. When you deceive, there’s always a price to pay.”
I snort. As if she could ever deceive someone.
“I’ve heard she’s better at horseback riding,” she says, changing the subject. “You love her, and that’s why I can’t be mad at you.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
She puffs out her chest, scowling. “Don’t make me insult you.”
My sister is a bold beam of light. I hope New York won’t dim that. The city has a way of dimming yours to shine brighter, a narcissistic asshole refusing to share the spotlight.
Once we reach the house, she calls after me. “Loser prepares dinner.”
