Chapter 10
I don’t knowwhy I’m jealous.
No, that’s a lie. I know exactly why I’m jealous.
My feelings for Grecia are growing. She’s constantly in my thoughts, and that’s not a good thing. I’ve spent months keeping her at arm’s length, so I can’t falter now.
She may not be mine, but it doesn’t mean I want anyone else to have her, and especially not Thane. If he comes near her again, he’s a fucking dead man.
I can’t claim her, because I’m not good enough for her. And these feelings I have for her aren’t real, and they’re nothing to worry about. At least, that’s what I’m trying to convince myself as I watch her recoil from him.
The drive through the streets of New Orleans reminds me of the vacations we used to spend here when I was young. Visiting my uncle was always exciting because we got to see the Mardi Gras parades. Also, Thane is closer in age to me than he was to my father, so he was always good fun to be with. But now as we travel to his home, I want nothing more to do with this city or my uncle.
Leaving the central part of New Orleans behind, the car weaves along the winding road toward the mansion I fell in love with as a boy. Finally, we come to a stop outside Thane’s opulent home that spans three floors, and he immediately flings the car door open and exits the vehicle.
Grecia’s gaze locks on mine for a moment, and I wonder if she can see the jealousy in my eyes. Can she see my rage? I might not have given her what she so clearly wants—me. But I’ll die before I allow my uncle to claim her.
“I’m not yours, Tarian. You have made that very clear,” Grecia addresses me while we’re still seated in the car. “So don’t get all protective and play the hero. That’s not what I need.”
She doesn’t wait for my response. Instead, she steps out of the car and follows Thane to the front entrance of his home, leaving me shaking with barely controlled fury, fueled by jealousy.
I’m at the front door moments after Grecia joins Thane. I watch him guide her into the house, and I can’t ignore the fact that his hand is resting on her lower back. However, I note she’s completely rigid with her spine straight and unmoving. She nods at something he says, and I watch as Thane chuckles in response. He’s turning on the charm, and I have to restrain my anger…for now.
Making my way inside, I focus my attention on the door that I know leads into my uncle’s office at the end of a darkened hallway. I was never allowed to enter that room when I was young, so it’s always intrigued me.
I don’t know how long I stand gazing at the mysterious door of my youth, but suddenly, my reverie is broken by my uncle”s voice.
“Tarian.” Thane’s call comes from behind me, and when I turn around, I’m immediately aware that Grecia is no longer with him.
“Where is she?” My gaze darts to the dimly lit passage behind him, but it’s empty.
Tension coils in my muscles, and my hands fist at my sides, but Thane merely grins at me.
“You may deny your feelings for that girl, but I’m not blind. Or stupid.” His tone is controlled with a calmness that makes me hyperaware of how alone and vulnerable I am here. I’ve no weapons or backup.
“I don’t have feelings for her,” I tell him, adamant in my confession, but I can hear the lies that lace each word.
Thane must pick up on my attempt at deception because he tilts his head to the side and raises a questioning brow.
“Oh?” he responds. “And you got all torn up when I asked her out to dinner because…?”
He watches me with those dark eyes, waiting for me to admit I want her. But instead, sauntering forward, I lean into his face and regard him with a schooled expression.
“I’m nothing like you,” I tell him. “I don’t take something that’s not freely given.”
Even though I know I’m taunting the beast in his own home, I no longer give a shit. I can take him. I know I can. For her, I’ll fight to the fucking death, as long as she doesn’t know it.
I’m not a hero. I’m not Etienne.
I’m not a bad boy. I’m not Ares.
I’m a monster. Just like my uncle.
“And you want me to believe your cold heart feels nothing for the pretty girl you’ve been traipsing around Italy with.”
Thane shakes his head as he shoves past me and pushes open the door that leads to his office. With its modern, clean lines, accented with silver and glass, the room is nothing like I expect. My younger self would have been most disappointed.
“What game are you playing, Thane?” I ask as I settle in a chair on the opposite side of the desk from where he’s now seated.
I’ve deliberately left the office door open. I’m not sure where Grecia is in the house, but in the event that she needs me, I want to be able to make it out of here and get to her as quickly as possible.
“I want you to know a few things that may not have come to light previously,” he tells me as he picks up a black file from his desk, and flipping it open, he hands me a USB drive from inside.
“What’s this?”
He watches me for a moment, his expression serious as he looks directly into my eyes and utters two words, “The truth.”
Then he sits back in his seat and laces his fingers under his chin.
I want nothing more than to read whatever he’s given me, but first things first.
“Where is Grecia?” I’m tense without her close by, not knowing where she is.
Thane sighs before pushing off his chair and stalking toward a bar that’s positioned behind him. He silently pours two glasses of whiskey, then turning around, he sets one glass down on the desk in front of me and takes a long gulp of the amber liquid from the other.
“Thane, I’m not fucking around. Where is she?”
“Upstairs. She said she felt tired, so I suggested she could lie down in the guest room I’ve had prepared for her.” His words make sense, but also, they confuse me.
“What do you mean you had a room prepared for her?” I question as I get to my feet, picking up the glass and shoving it into his chest. “I don’t drink with fucking liars. Either you tell me what game you’re playing here, or we leave.”
“Do you really want to go before you’ve gotten the answers you’re so desperately seeking, Nephew?”
That query is on point. He’s right, and he knows it. The bastard.
I haven’t always hated my uncle. That came after I was left parentless and he was named my legal guardian. He told me he didn’t want to be burdened with a child and I’d have to fend for myself. Right then and there, I knew he was an asshole.
“Give me the answers I need and let us leave.”
Chuckling, Thane shakes his head, and then finishing his drink, he saunters over to a pair of patio doors and opens them. He steps out onto the paved area beyond, and I follow him, determined to get the answers to my questions.
“Be careful what you wish for, Tarian,” he addresses me while looking out at the garden that I know is several acres in size. “When I was younger, I learned that not all truths should be known. Have you ever considered that it might be better to remain ignorant, rather than learn all the dark and treacherous secrets that lie hidden in Tynewood?”
Ignoring him, I respond, “I want to know why you killed my father.”
Thane is silent for so long I’m almost certain he’s going to ignore me, but then he turns to me and shakes his head.
“Your mother used to beg for death because your father was so cruel and had a heavy hand when he got angry. She didn’t want anyone to know about his abuse, so to stop her friends asking questions, she made everyone believe she was cold, heartless, and selfish, but she’s none of those things.”
He grows quiet, but I don’t say anything. I’m far too enthralled by what he’s telling me to speak.
“It finally got too much for her,” he continues. “She turned to me for support and so began our affair. Eventually, she wanted to be with me, but when she asked for a divorce, he refused. I believe it was then that she decided she wanted my brother out of the way.”
“Why didn’t she just leave. She could’ve run away with you.” I’m guessing it wasn’t that simple. Nothing is ever that cut and dry, but I have to ask anyway.
“I wish she’d left him. I promised her everything she wanted, yet she refused. Most of the answers to your questions are on the drive I’ve given you. If you’d like to sit at my desk and read through it, you’re welcome,” he responds, gesturing with his hand toward his office.
I want to accept his offer, but I don’t trust him. Even though he no longer has any reason to lie, I know I can’t take my uncle at his word. I learned that a long time ago.
“Thane, why did you abandon me after the accident?” Watching for his reaction, I continue, “And why did my mother fake her own death and leave me? If you had so much influence over her, why didn’t you make her see reason? She didn’t have to pretend to be dead. Why didn’t you persuade her to stay in Tynewood?”
He turns away from me, and if I’m not mistaken, I see a flicker of pain in his expression. I want to know what it means, but the moment passes too quickly for me to dwell on it.
“I have something to sort out,” Thane tells me, ignoring my questions. “Sit. Read all you need to. The information on that drive will give you far better answers than I can. I’ll be back in an hour.”
He leaves me standing on the patio, and I know I have to do this. While Grecia’s resting, I need to get to the bottom of my family’s dark secrets, once and for all.