But if it was, the Omnia never came for us after that. They’re big and bold enough to have done something about it, so it never made sense why they didn’t make another move, or announce it when they called me out on stage at the manor.
Then Indie mentioned that her sister didn’t learn her lesson from the Montgomerys, and I knew then when she mentioned burying family that they killed her father for whatever Louisa did.
She left something pretty fucking vital out during our chat, and it’s no surprise.
It makes me think back to what the Chief said.
The web only spins bigger, and it seems it all links back to Louisa.
Fuck.
I don’t know if I should have trusted her. My instincts had no time to let me think about it; as soon as the offer of keeping Indie safe was presented, I wasn’t giving a fuck about the smaller details.
The muscle behind my ribs contracts. The only offering I could give to fix any fault on my part was to do this on my own, risk my life in exchange for a chance to get those who hurt her.
I should have known it wouldn’t be that fucking simple. I was too consumed with how I let my greed overpower me all those years ago, that I would have done anything to try make amends for it.
I want to regret it, say out loud that she would have been better off without me.
But that selfishness still grips me tightly, because I can never let her go.
Now that hero complex has washed off on me, I need to kill this fuck’s spawns fast, because I need to get back to my girl. Gluttony might have me in its hold, but I’ll never waste time, not when it comes to Indie.
The Judge snickers, taking a step closer as his hand wraps around the scalpel, twisting it in my side. A guttural groan breaks free, and he speaks over it. “No matter, you’ll give me something soon.”
I force a gritted laugh, despite this leathered-looking fuck rearranging my organs with a blade. “You think?”
He huffs a laugh right back, yanking it out as warm liquid pools out my side, the splatters hitting off the floor. The sensation makes me feel woozy, and now I’ve got stab wounds at either fucking side.
“She’s a very good actress, my Louisa. You might have thought she was on your side.” He shakes his head, wiping a cloth over the blade. “Make no mistake, her loyalty to the Omnia runs deeper than any bloodline. And she’s got Indie right where she wants her.”
Every single fibre in my body halts.
I can feel the shadows blanket me, pulling their darkness over me as I stare at him.
He raises his greying brows. “Oh, you thought she was telling the truth? I’ll need to pass on the compliments.”
The knife drops to the floor with a clatter. It feels like the metal is hitting against my skull, and white-hot rage burns within me.
I know he’s trying to fuck with me.
It’s Louisa that’s got him eating out of her paw.
Either that, or he’s right. If he is, that bitch needs to be awarded with an Oscar. Hell, a fucking lifetime achievement award.
He strolls over to the door, turning to look at me when he reaches the threshold. “I’ve also been made aware you have something else of mine. The girl. I don’t care for her name, but no one takes from me, Saint. No matter how worthless it is. Because when they do, I take something back.”
33
Indie
never gonna leave this bed - maroon 5
Theentirereceptionareaof the facility looks like we’ve just discovered hell. The red emergency lights bleed over every corner of the interior, and it’s fitting. Seeing as we’ll be painting the walls with blood soon enough.
I certainly will.
A deep voice I don’t recognise sounds from up ahead. “Think the storm took out the power. I’m gonna go check the gen—”
