12
Ethan
I watch Lark as she sits across from me at the breakfast table, wearing my t-shirt and leggings, looking damn sexy. So what happens now? she asks, taking another bite of her buttered toast.
Fuck, this is the part Im not keen on. But its time. Since Im never letting her go, theres only one way this can go; its time for her to know the truth about my familyabout the Drkon.
Lark, theres something you gotta know, I start, my tone serious as I lock eyes with her. My family, the Drkon, were not your typical or average family. Oh fuck me, I sound wooden and ridiculous.
Okay, she says, dragging out the word. Are you all richy rich?
I laugh. Yes, I say. At least those allowed a variation of the Drkon name.
Her brows furrow in confusion. Meaning?
Sighing, I run a hand down my face. Were umm we operate like a secret society, kind of like the Mafia. We follow our leader, Nikolaos, aka the Ruthless. His word is law, and we do whatever he says.
Larks eyes widen a bit, a hint of unease in them. How big is your family? she asks, her voice filled with curiosity. Funnily enough, I dont detect any fear. Hmm.
I take a moment to think before responding. We dont even know the full extent ourselves, I admit, keeping it vague. But were everywhere, with connections in every part of the world.
Chewing slowly, she drums her fingers on the table, processing what Ive told her. Are there other families like yours? she asks, sounding a bit worried now.
I nod, keeping it simple. Yeah, there are two others, I confirm, holding back the other familys names for now. But we were the first, the original.
As the weight of my words sinks in, I can see Lark getting more anxious. But theres also a spark of curiosity in her eyes, like she wants to dig deeper into this secret world shes stumbled into. This is just the beginning of her journey into the shady dealings of the Drkon Legacy, and Ive gotta be strategic about how much I reveal.
Why are you telling me this now? she asks, like shes privy to my thoughts.
I take her hand in mine, squeezing gently. Because youre mine, Little Bird. One day youre going to be my wife, and
Whoa, whoa. Slow down, she almost screeches as she jumps out of her chair. What the fuck, Ethan?
I shrug. I told you that youre mine. What did you think that meant?
As she paces back and forth, I mentally prepare myself to catch her if she tries to run. So, whats my role in all of this?
Back in the days, the wives had to be tested before claiming their spot. But Im not important enough for that, I explain.
She arches an eyebrow. Youre not important in your family? I chuckle, loving how angry she sounds as she repeats the words to me.
Its not like that, I explain, reaching for her. She allows me to take her hand and pull her into my lap. Nikolaos is the one in charge, and he decides our roles. Trust me, being in the immediate circle isnt necessarily an attractive thing. I love my spot. It allows me to help when needed, but also to live my own life free of my Leaders constant involvement.
Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she asks, Will I ever meet him?
I immediately shake my head. No. Ill file the necessary paperwork with the Guardian to claim you as mine, and thatll be that. But I trail off, unsure of how to tell her that if I get called upon, she will, too.
But? she prompts.
If Nikolaos decides to change my position, itll affect you as well. If he demands our help, we cant refuse.
Lark lifts her head and cups my face, grinning mischievously. Well, thank God youve claimed me.
Huh?
She laughs. Its not like I have a choice, and I think I like that. Its exciting, and I dont know, freeing. I feel like Ive been shackled with responsibilities for so long. Its kind of nice that I dont have to make a decision.
Lark
I meant what I said. Its not logical, and Im not sure I can explain it, other than Im getting addicted to the ride Ethans taking me on. So why even contemplate ending it when I cant, and dont really want to?
As I sit in his lap and ponder everything hes revealed in a very short amount of time, warmth spreads through me. It happens every time I think of his name, and its followed by an increasing heartbeat. Is that love? Since Ive never been in love before, I dont know.
One thing I know for certain; even before I knew who he really was, my stalker made me feel safe and cherished. Now that I know the lengths hes gone to for me ah fuck, maybe it really is love.
Ethan runs his thumb across my bottom lip. Youre so fucking beautiful when youre lost in thought. He runs another finger across the space between my eyebrows. And I fucking love the divet here when your frown.
Am I frowning? I run my hand across the space he just touched, and yes, yes, Im frowning.
Sighing, I say, I need a shower and then I want to go see my dad.
Your dad? Ethan says, and something about his expression makes me wary.
Well, yes. Hes my dad, I clarify.
Ethan nods and brushes a lock of my hair behind my ear. You know you dont have to worry about him anymore, right? The medical staff will take care of him. Youre free, Little Bird.
I swallow thickly. Whats making him say those words? Its like he knows how reluctant I am. Why do you say that? I ask in a whisper.
You talk in your sleep, Little Bird, he simply answers.
My face heats with mortification. Fuck, what have I said? I-I I stop talking, grasping for any words to explain the worst. But what even is the worst? Have I planned on killing my dad in my sleep? Or said I want him dead? What did I say? Whatever it is, I can explain, I rush out, needing to know.
Ethan tilts my head back and his gray eyes are so piercing Im sure hes looking right into my soul, seeing all the ugliness I barely even admit to myself. What are you hiding, Little Bird? he muses. Tell me.
No. I shake my head vehemently.
Lark, he bites out. I want to fucking know.
I huff out a breath and gnaw on my bottom lip. Should I tell him? I mean, Ive seen him kill a stranger. And the way he moved that night made it clear he wasnt a newbie at killing. Then theres the stuff about his family. He compared them to the Mafia, so wouldnt that mean theres a violent streak? Maybe he even kills for sport, or
How many people have you killed? I ask. I promise Im not ignoring your question. But I need to know.
Ethans eyes soften, and he leans in to kiss the tip of my nose. I lost count a long time ago, Little Bird.
I nod. Have you killed any since the man who attacked me?
He lifts his eyebrow; it comes across like a silent challenge. Yes. Gulping, I look down at my hands. My shoulders slump as I ponder how best to tell him. Hey, none of that, Little Bird. Look at me. I want you to stare into my eyes when you give me a piece of yourself.
Ive fantasized about killing my dad, I admit, my voice barely a whisper. Even held a pillow over his head once. I couldnt make myself go through with it, and Im glad I didnt
Interrupting me, Ethan asks, Are you? Tell me the truth.
No, I scream, fighting to get off his lap. Are you happy now? Im not happy I didnt kill him. I deserve a shot at a normal life. I deserve to be free. And he Sobs make me tremble, momentarily stealing my voice. And he doesnt deserve to suffer like that. Hes my dad, Ethan. I love him as much as I hate him.
When I finally dare look at him and dont see any of the disgust or reprehension I was dreading, I sigh with relief. We reach for each other at the same time, but this time he doesnt pull me to him. Instead, he comes to me.
Little Bird, he rasps. Youre so strong. So fucking strong. With me youll have a normal life, and youll definitely never be free of me. But I promise you right now that Ill help you soar.
On a strangled laugh, I ask, So youre not going to clip my wings?
Ethan scoops me up into his arms, and my legs immediately wrap around him. Not as long as you know who you belong to.
My heart is almost leaping out of my chest with happiness and excitement. The dark promise of a different world is intriguing, and I think I want it. Fuck. Theres no doubt. With Ethan at my side, Id walk into Hell itself.
I wind my fingers into his hair, pulling at the strands. You, I say. But not because you said it, or wanted it. Its because I chose this path for myself. He crashes his lips to mine, and our mouths move in perfect tandem. Our kiss is bruising, hard, and so fucking perfect. Pulling back, I look into his eyes, needing him to know Im serious as I say this next part. And youre mine, Ethan. I dont fucking share. If Nikolaos or anyone else from your family have a problem with that, we have a problem.
This new side of me feels surreal, and Im not sure where it comes from. Its like Ive shed my old plumage and taken on a new one, a better one. All because I fell in love with my stalker.