Page 235 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘When I was younger, someone tried to take me away and it went sideways. I killed all of them with my bare hands, so I know I’m… I can be strong, like physically strong, when I need to, but it means losing control and I can’t ever, ever allow that. This thing inside me is always just waiting for the opportunity to get free.’

So many things make sense.

Kade doesn’t linger to account for all the pieces of Riley Harker that suddenly make complete and total sense; he’ll think about those later.

But it makes just so much sense.

‘I don’t know why it chose this,’ Riley says, his bottom lip trembling as he looks down at himself. ‘Troy had theories, but Céliane them told me something that kind of makes sense.’

‘What? You can tell me.’

‘It’s pathetic.’

‘I want to know.’

Riley closes his eyes and sighs heavily. ‘She said that my body was probably trying to make a, um…’ His voice trembles into nothingness and only a deep breath can bring it back. ‘To make a pack. Family. Safety. Wildwanes aren’t supposed to live alone. They need family to regulate their emotions and growth. I only had a tower full of unrelated men who hurt me, and the absolute certainty that nobody was ever coming to get me out.’

Kade’s throat closes.

‘So my body tried to make me belong.’ Riley rubs his wrist back and forth over the top of his knee. He’s extremely pale, his gaze locked unseeingly to the left. ‘The most literal way possible to create blood family and not be alone anymore.’

‘You’re not pathetic.’

‘Please don’t.’

‘You were a kid.’

‘I said don’t.’

‘OK. I won’t. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything, but I can’t let you talk about yourself like that. You went through that all alone.’ Kade’s voice breaks a little, tears stinging his eyes. ‘I should have been there. We should have grown up together.’

Riley starts to cry.

Kade pulls him into his arms, hugging him tight.

‘I’m here now, though. I’m here and I won’t let anyone ever hurt you or touch you or do anything you don’t want, OK?’ he promises fiercely. ‘I understand now. I get you now. I see you, Riley Harker.’

‘I’m disgusting,’ Riley whispers.

‘You’re my big brother and I’m so proud to be your blood.’

‘You shouldn’t be.’

‘Yeah, well. I was never very good at shouldn’t.’

Riley pulls back, wiping his eyes. ‘You’re all snotty.’

‘Fuck off,’ he huffs, laughing a little.

Kade grins. ‘Here, use my shirt.’

‘No, it’s a nice shirt. You look great.’

‘Luca got it for me years ago.’

Riley goes to the bathroom to splash water on his face.

Kade follows.