Burning Truths (Consume Me #2)

33. Ryker

Chapter Thirty-Three

RYKER

Cole looks out the window at the passing scenery while we go back and forth about our next move. I’m too busy shoving down my irritation at him for handing the keys to Kenna for her to walk out the house when he turns to look at me.

“She’s not going to go quietly.” He says.

His words linger in the space between us, the truth in them undeniable.

My eyes don’t leave the road, “Pride will be the death of us all.” I remark.

We don’t have to say the words because we both know the outcome of what’s bound to happen.

“Kenna will want her dead.” His words are lower this time.

Being the youngest must make this harder for him. I was born into a completely different family than him. By the time our parents had him they’d learned how to be parents from me and West. Our mother was a cold callous woman but she loved hard in her own way. Or so we thought but there’s more to her than we knew but we find ourselves catching on quickly.

“Are you going to tell us what you found?” I push.

It’s not the first time I’ve tried to push him to tell us what he really found that day but it’s like pulling fucking teeth. Cole may be my brother but I don’t do secrets well. The only thing that’s kept me from shoving him too hard on it is knowing that he’s only hiding it for us. We move as a unit and when we step out of place it’s only ever to cover the others. If Cole feels the need to hide this I can only assume it has something to do with two things. Either Kenna and her family or our father.

He looks out the windshield, taking his eyes off me, “I can’t do that yet.”

It’s all he gives me and I choose not to ask for more. Taking the curve the tires slide on the asphalt when the ground changes. Pulling off the road down a long driveway we both straighten the closer we come to the foundation hall. It’s not far from the school campus and we rarely meet here but today’s a surprise visit. We heard from a little bird that there was a secret meeting being called today with a special guest so we decided to do a surprise popup.

Shutting off the headlights blanketing us in darkness I let my eyes adjust to the night before I press the gas sending us down the long winding driveway. Slowing when I pass a large open metal gate with two massive statues placed on either side we both lean forward to see better. The winding driveway curves into a large u-turn area near the grand entrance showcasing just how opulent the entire estate is. Pulling to a stop and cutting the engine we sit in silence for a few seconds our minds in different places.

“Fuck it.” I say, opening the SUV door and stepping out.

Cole follows my lead and together we make our way up the massive stairs to tall double doors that house large metal knockers shaped like snakes. The details of each small piece standing out against the obsidian paint. Gold scales line the coiled snakes shining when the porch light hits it at the perfect angle. Pushing the overly heavy doors open I don’t bother to close them. Instead I continue into the foyer passing under a crystal chandelier hanging above a tacky fur rug that is too expensive to be fake. Rolling my eyes at the artwork lining the walls we continue to move through the building until we hear voices coming from a conference room towards the left wing.

“What did you expect when you came back Marcus? That things would be handed over to you with no effort on your part?” A voice says.

Marcus? I rattle my brain in search of the name but come up short. Cole places his hand on my shoulder pausing my forward movement. Looking over my shoulder I quirk a brow in question. Holding his finger to his lips he signals me to listen.

“I’m sick of the fucking brothers strutting around like they own the place. We have a foundation for a reason. The Stone name isn’t the only one of power and it’s time they learned that. It’s not my fault you allowed them to forget their place, old man.” A younger voice says.

My head tips to the side waiting for a response to follow.

“I assure you my boys won’t be a problem but speak out of turn again about my family's name no less and I’ll be sure they find you strung up by your throat.” A sugary voice spits.

Ahh mother. Always so charming. Grabbing the doorknob I shove the door open revealing a full foundation meeting minus the heirs themselves.

“It appears that we missed the call for a meeting.” Cole says, coming to stand beside me.

Five sets of eyes fall on us but only three seemed surprised. Our mother hides her shock well behind a perfectly manicured appearance but I can see past her bullshit.

“Mother.” I nod.

Micah Morales glares from across the long wooden table that seats far too many fucking people. A younger version of him sits in the chair beside him with a sneer of his own plastered across his face.

“Ryker, Cole, this doesn’t concern you. I'm the head of the family.” Our mother speaks.

Holding my hand up to stop her I walk further into the room moving to stand behind the empty chair at the head of the table. Ironic how that place has been left empty. Tapping the wood at the top of the chair I look over the faces seated before us and try to read the room. The twins look far too relaxed with our presence bringing me even more questions. Micah and son look at each other before his mini me looks up at me with disdain.

“I believe you’re not needed here.” He says, venom dripping from his tongue.

“And you are?” I edge.

Cole takes a seat next to our mother and to an outsider it would look like he’s trying to hold up a front but I take it for what it is. A threat.

“Marcus Morales.” Is his response.

Marcus. The name from earlier.

“Ryker-”

I wave off my mothers next words. “You’re done here. You are no longer the head of the Stone family and you will be removed from council immediately.” Pulling out the chair I sit with my hands folding on the table in front of me. The twins quirk a lip but the grin is gone almost as instant as it appeared.

“Marcus, was it?” I ask. “You seem to be a little lost so let me catch you up. The Stone family hold the head seat at the table.” I widen my arms in a show of where I’m seated and why it was left empty. “I assume you realized your father took up a spot to the side, correct?” I push.

His face reddens and a laugh falls from my mouth in response.

“Let me guess he promised you something he couldn’t take for himself?” I turn to look at his father. “What a pity you’d send your own flesh and blood into the wolf's den without proper knowledge.” I taunt.

Cole twists in his seat to face me, “Now brother, you know it’s not fun to play with your food. Let’s tell them why we’re really here.” He opens the door for our next piece to fall into place.

“Ahh that’s right. How silly of me to forget. Dearest mother, we’ve come here today to denounce you from the Stone family business effective immediately.” Leaning back into the thick cushion of the wingback chair I wait for it.

All eyes fall to the beauty that is my mother. In a way she reminds me of an older Oakley ready to rip someone’s throat out with her teeth. In this moment that someone is me and I relish the thought of her trying.

“May we ask the details of this new declaration?” One of the twins asks.

“Hmmm.” I smile sweetly, “Well it seems that we’ve had a bit of a family situation that would make Mrs. Stone unfit to sit on the foundation.” I state.

“And what would be the cause for this?” The other twin questions.

This time it’s Cole that speaks up in his raspy distorted voice, a reminder of something darker. “If you’ll take a look at the files I’ve emailed each of you, you’ll find more than a decade of crimes against the foundation and this town that predates the marriage of our mother and father. One event in most recent accounts is the property exchange of Kenna Kingston into the hands of Hank Harlow. A known associate of our families. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have another pressing matter to attend to.” Cole finishes, looking down at his phone and then up at me.

Taking that look for what it is I push the chair back to stand, “We’ll be seeing you.” I speak to everyone but the look I pass my mother gives her everything she needs to know we’re coming back for her. “Oh, Marcus?” I call.

His tall lean frame straightens under my stare.

“I’d take note of how to stay out of our way if I were you. The last thing we want is to have another foundation member disappear.” The threat lingers around us.

Before we make it to the door his voice breaks through the silence, “The contract calls for a union between two of the families. Since the Kingston girl is no longer on the list I’d suggest you find a replacement soon or the Stone family will no longer hold that seat.” His words are shaky yet true.

Rolling my shoulders I ignore the reminder and continue through the doorway leading us back to the car. Once we close the doors to the SUV making sure no listening ears can hear Cole shifts in the seat his eyes meet mine.

“G sent us a message. We need to get back to the house before Kenna kills Ally.”

Cole looks worried but all I feel is a thrill to see my little Killer at work. All the pent up resentment towards Ally is sending Kenna over the edge and I plan on watching her set fire to the entire world in response. Only I hope to redirect that rage to someone who actually deserves to die.

“Don’t worry brother, I won’t let her hurt your girl too bad.” I laugh as the words leave my mouth because as true as I wish they were I know I’d never stop her from spilling blood.