Page 71 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

If Lachlan has misgivings, questions or confusion about the scene playing out, he buries them with immaculate professionalism. Kade watches, his extremities numb, as Lachlan moves in, grabs Seth’s hair and yanks his head to the side, exposing the column of his throat.

Seth’s panic hits a new note of genuine terror.

Kade can almost taste it on the air.

‘Get off me, get off me, don’t you fucking—’

‘Who helped you?’ Kade blurts out. ‘Tell us who helped you!’

‘It—it was Luca, but he didn’t know what he was helping with!’

Lachlan holds off.

Kade forgets how to breathe. ‘Luca?’

‘I asked h-him about PMCs. If he knew any that worked off-book. He…’ Seth sobs like a child, snot dripping from his nose. ‘He has contacts, Luca does. Military contacts. He was an army brat. I asked him, but I never said w-what it was for. He gave me a name and a number. He had no idea what he was helping me with, and I could have got it from anywhere!’

Riley finally seems satisfied. ‘There it is.’

‘Don’t let him eat me,’ Seth begs, crying hysterically, all stoicism dissolved. ‘Please, please don’t, I c-can’t die like that! Please, boss. I didn’t mean for anyone else to get hurt! I just wanted the freak gone! He’s fucking with your head, both of you! You know I love Iron Star! I’m yours till I die, but don’t let me die like this!’

‘I’m not going to eat you,’ Lachlan informs him dispassionately.

Seth’s eyes are so wide they’re round. ‘W-what?’

‘It was a play, dipshit.’

‘You… you’re not gonna eat me?’

‘I’m not a fucking vampire, you fuck-ass traitor.’

‘N-no,’ Seth stutters. ‘You’re a monster.’

‘They’re not always quite so obvious,’ Riley tells him with an unmistakable sense of finality as he presses the knife to Seth’s throat.

Kade steps forward. ‘Don’t. Please don’t,’ he begs quietly.

Bright blue displeasure flashes in Riley’s eyes.

To oppose an action of Riley’s is the most insubordination he’s ever shown. Kade is angry at himself for even asking it, but he can’t not.

Seth lost Gage only days ago. The man who killed him is standing right there, unharmed, practically allied with Iron Star.

Kade has to try.

‘It’s not your decision.’

‘I know that. I’m just asking you not to.’

‘What do you suggest we do with him?’

‘I-I’ll leave town,’ Seth trips over himself to offer, ‘or you can lock me down. Please, boss!’

‘Quiet. I’m asking Kade,’ Riley says, speculation gathering in his gaze.

‘I don’t know, but he lost his brother. His twin brother. Yes, he fucked up. Yes, he needs to pay for it. But I can’t…’ Kade shakes his head, feels the weight of Lachlan’s focus on him as he tries to convince Riley to walk the weakest possible path. Kade isn’t stupid. Once someone betrays you, trust is broken forever. ‘More death just seems like a waste.’

Riley is unreadable right up until the moment he withdraws the blade.