It’s delivered so easily and yet carries such weight.He’s so fucking intense it makes Kade want to look away but he can’t,won’t.
‘You’re lying.’
Lachlan rolls his eyes.‘Whatever you need to tell yourself, kid.’
‘I’m twenty-seven, I’m not a fuckingkid!’Kade looks away, seeking balance.‘That’s the name of your tattoo?The fox?’
‘Yeah.’
‘You got it after she died?’
‘No.I got it done in the early months.’
‘Why?’
Lachlan considers, finding the words.‘To make her happy.’
‘Did it work?’
‘It did.’
‘Your other tattoo has changed.The one on your chest.’
‘It’s counting down.’
‘To what?’
‘The end.’
They resume walking, Lachlan close behind Kade as they approach the small clearing he himself has carved out.‘Will you tell me about your ritual?’
‘It’s hard to explain.’
‘Try.’
‘Suffice to say—’
‘No, it does notsuffice, actually.I want to know everything.Every detail.Start from the beginning.’
‘The beginning of what?When I got out of prison?When I started gathering intel about Iron Star?’
‘All of it,’ Kade tells him.‘Prison.Start from there.’
They head into a sparser area, less trees, more bushes.They’re not close to the no-go-zone yet.Lachlan stops to lean against an old oak.‘All right.Prison.’Kade waits, arms crossed.‘Prison was seven difficult years of my life I’d happily forget, but the whole time I was inside, I had one focus.One singular thought getting me through.’
‘Revenge.’
Lachlan nods.‘The day I was released, I had nowhere to go, literally.I don’t have family in this country anymore.No ties.I started watching yourTowertwo weeks ago.’
‘How long had you been out?’
‘Same day.’
‘Just right back into it.’
‘I had no life outside of crafting revenge for the both of you, so I started gathering what I needed.Money, equipment.I still had a few contacts, but it was about three days ago I realised I couldn’t make it to the top without being killed.I could get to a certain point, but your security was intimidating.I knew I’d be dead before I ever got close to Troy Harker, so I thought.’
‘No one ever told you he was dead?’
