Chapter 28
Jackson
James didn’t speak a word as he drove us to his father’s house, where only the day before, he’d attended with the sole purpose of murdering his father. I’d wondered at the time how he felt about killing his old man, but now I knew.
It wouldn’t be long until I was doing the same.
The rigid set of James’ jaw told methathe was silently thinking over everything he’d learned in the last few hours, and like me, he was no doubt second-guessing himself, wondering if he could have done something sooner to protect Kiera.
She’d told him almost everything, including our relationship ten years earlier, but omitting the details of how we’d become reacquainted in recent times. Forthat, I was grateful. My best friend was having a difficult enough time looking at me without seeing me as the son of a rapist. If he discovered everything I’d done to his sister over the last few weeks, I’d be on the receiving end of his blade.
And rightly so.
It was the least I deserved, and if Kiera allowed it, I’d spend the rest of my life making sure she knew how damn sorry I was for notjustrecent treatment, but for all the hatred I’d harbored toward her over the years.
Lost in thought, I didn’t pay attention to where James was driving until we turned into a familiar street, one I’d driven down hundreds of times in my life. A heavy rock landed in my stomach.
“This isn’t the way to your father’s house.”James' jaw clenched in response, but he didn’t speak, nor did he deviate from the road taking us toward my parent's house.“James, this can wait. We need to find Billie.”
“This can’t fucking wait,”he hissed, refusing to look at me.“He raped my sister.”
“I’m aware,”I bit back, attempting to rein in my temper.“But he isn’t going anywhere. We stick to the plan and call a meeting-”
James slammed on the brakes, the car squealing to an abrupt stop. His hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white as he stared ahead.“Do youreallythink I can concentrate on anything but murderingthatcunt? He. Raped. My. Sister.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose.“I know what he did. You don’t have to keep saying it. Believe me, what he did to Kiera will haunt me for the rest of my goddamn life.”
He continued to stare ahead, his nostrils flaring.“I want him dead.”
“So do I,”I replied, my heart constricting.“And I told you, I would kill the fucker for what he did to-”
“See, here’s the thing,”James snapped, his venomous gaze shooting to me.“I don’t think you will. You’re too close to him-”
“Fuck you, don’t fucking patronize me. He hurt Kiki-”
“Oh yeah, my sister, whom you were madly in love with, but pretended didn’t exist for years. You’re telling me you’re choosing a childhood crush over the man you’ve spent your life looking up to?”
My fists clenched in my lap, a snarl forming on my lips.“Let me make this abundantly clear to you, James. Kiera wasn’t a fucking childhood crush. She’s the only woman I’ve ever loved, and the only woman I will ever love. I loved herthen, and I fucking love her now, and I will doeverythingin my power to keep her and Billie safe, including from my cunt of a father. And ifthatmeans I have to end his life,thenI’ll fucking do it.”
James glared at me, animosity radiating from him in huge waves.“Prove it.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard. Prove it to me. Provejusthow much you love my sister by going into your parents' house right now and murderingthatson-of-a-bitch.”
My hands twitched with the need to wipe the smug look off his face. Never in my life had I hated James. He was my best friend, we knew everything about each other, and we always had each other’s backs. But rightthen, I couldn’t fucking stand the sight of him.
“You know I can’t dothat,”I replied through gritted teeth.“We need to do it the right way, call the other board-”
“Legion can go to hell,”he growled.“Isn’tthatwhat you said back at my place? What’s more important to you, Jackson? The society or Kiera?”
It wasn’t a decision I needed to think about. She’d always meant more to me than anything, and she always would.“Kiera.”
A tense silence descended between us, and my gaze dropped to my lap as my heart stilled in my chest. I would kill my father for what he’d done, and I wouldn’t regret it. But would it be easy?
No. It was going to be the hardest thing I’d ever have to face.
Feeling James’ gaze burning into me, I opened my eyes to find pity written over his face rather than the venom I expected to see.“You know he needs to die, but you don’t have to be the one to do it.”The acid in his voice had vanished, and he sounded like my best friend once more.“Two days ago, you offered to kill my father on my behalf. Now I’m offering you the same.”
