Page 32 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘I called Penhalyx and told him.’

His heart drops all the way down.

‘You told him?’

‘I did.’

‘Carrigan, what the fuck? Why?’

‘I explained what went down and exactly whose fault it was.’ She sits back in the chair, her expression masked. ‘I was obligated to report it. The household is my responsibility, and the kids are part of that.’

‘Who did you blame?’

‘I accurately laid out the events.’

‘Who?’

‘Danya Yashin has been trouble from the start.’

‘You didn’t.’

‘I know you like him,’ she goes on, something akin to mild apology in her tone, ‘but he’s last in. It makes sense he’d be first out. He was supposed to be watching Jules. Far as I’m concerned, he failed.’

‘What did Penhalyx say?’

‘He thanked me for telling him and said he’ll return soon.’

‘You brought him back here?’

‘Julian is the sole heir to the Penhalyx Estate. A wrist tattoo—’

‘We could have hidden it! What else did he say?’

‘That he’ll call you soon. This is for the best, Lachlan. You’ll see.’

He stares at her with unfiltered disgust. ‘You fucking idiot.’

‘Don’t you dare talk to me like that.’

‘You have no idea what you’ve done.’

‘Signed the death warrant of a man who wouldn’t think twice about betraying any of us. Big deal.’

Not Danya’s death warrant, Lachlan thinks. Your own.

‘Carrigan. You’re in too deep.’

‘I know what I’m doing. Don’t try to gaslight me.’

‘If you want to get out of this place alive—’

‘I’m doing what I can to make that happen!’

‘—then you have to work with me.’

‘Not all of us have a get-out-of-jail-free pass like you.’

Lachlan stands and kicks his chair back.