Chapter 5
With every second that her body undulates against that guy, I am losing my shit, itching to snap his neck. My blood boils, and my vision dots with sheer rage. I inhale deeply, trying to get a grip on my composure. Curling and uncurling my hands at my sides, I am about to march over there––to do what, exactly? She’s not mine . I have no claim on her. I left because I am not worthy of her, yet I doubt the asshole grinding against her is either. No one could ever be worthy of her.
When Tyson comes back, he looks at me, chuckling. “Problem, champ?”
“If anyone dares to approach her, he has to come through me first.”
“Are you calling dibs? Then claim her for yourself,” he taunts, stepping closer.
I get in his face. “Did I make myself clear?”
“Fine, are you going to get in the ring again?”
“Yes, with anyone stupid enough to touch her. Take care of her,” I say and leave.
It’s not good that she can rattle my walls so easily. My insides shatter. I’ve been gone for two fucking months, but I guess I wasn’t that hard to get over.
Once at the house, I slam the front door shut, the hinges jolt. Silence bathes the house. Good. I have no fucking desire to talk to anyone. But I am not tired—when the fuck am I? It’s a damn wonder if I sleep three hours a night.
Taking the stairs to the basement, I close myself in the gym with a single-minded focus.
Standing before the punching bag, I hit it relentlessly until my knuckles swell. The image of Mia with that guy sticks in my mind, like a horror movie on repeat, making me want to kill him for touching what’s mine.
The door opens slightly, and Abigail comes inside. Sighing, I ready myself for another confrontation.
“What has you so riled up?” she asks, approaching me with a towel and water bottle.
I arch a brow at them, not understanding her motives.
“I am mad at you, but I still care.”
“Bringing a peace offering? Don’t bother, Abi.”
She tilts her head while I snatch the hook of the heavy bag to keep it from rocking.
“You decided to show your true self?”
“I’m not in the fucking mood. Go to your boyfriend or friends.”
“Wow. So it’s going to be like that?”
I hit the bag again, but she yanks at my elbow, turning me to her.
“I’m talking to you.”
“We’re done talking.”
She throws her arms in the air, huffing. “That’s it, asshole?”
“Yes, simple as that. I told you not to make promises you couldn’t keep.”
“You’re holding that against me? Fine, what about me needing a bit of time to process things?”
“You ready now?”
“Yes.”
“I will never reveal my reason. And I don’t care what either of you think of me. I don’t have a family.”
She hugs herself, avoiding my glance for a moment. “I expected more from you.”
“Don’t expect things from people you know. It would be stupid to expect them from those you don’t.”
Tears glisten in her eyes and she pushes at my chest. It’s better this way. I can take their hate.
“I deserve to know.”
“You deserve? Well, I deserved to be trusted by the people I would die for, yet here we fucking are.”
A small smile grazes her lips. “Thank you. Now I know you’re not a lost cause.”
She takes my hands in hers. All those years of friendship pass before my eyes. When Felix and Caleb tortured Kaden during the initiation, I told my friends I’d do whatever was needed to escape, but when those assholes hurt Abi, I couldn’t stand on the sidelines and wait. I don’t regret it.
“I blame myself for it… for telling you…”
“Stop. I did it because I wanted to.”
“You told me I broke my promise. Here’s one I never could: I love you, Blake, and always will. Come home for good, just…”
I pull her to my chest, and she sobs quietly. “Abi, you’re better off without me.”
“No, I’m not. Tell me, and I promise it will stay between us. I swear to you.”
“I would never taint your soul like that. It has to be like this. Don’t worry about me.”
“I will always worry about you.”
With that, she slips out of the gym. I brace my arm on the punching bag, leaning my forehead against it. Abigail is stubborn as hell. She won’t stop until she finds out. Fuck. If they want to fucking know, I will tell them, but not now. I have a mission first: to find the rats in the Family and eliminate them.
I scoff the moment I hear the door creaking open again.
“You know Dane is a volatile asshole. I would sleep with one eye open. You made Abi cry,” Kaden says.
“Is this a fucking intervention? Just stay the fuck away from me. It shouldn’t be too hard.”
He flinches and looks the other way. I see the vein pulsing in his neck. We always resorted to fighting when it would get to be too much for either of us.
“You held back. Was anything real?”
“Fuck you, Kaden.”
“So he does have feelings.” He leans against the wall. “What motivated you to come back?”
“I was done having your sorry ass chasing me around.”
“Sure. God forbid you give me a few days to come to terms with all the fucked up shit that happened. I found out my brother and best friend went behind my back, used my woman to play them, and then, amid all the chaos, he left.”
“You made it clear you didn’t want me here.”
“And when the fuck have you listened to me before?” he yells.
Touché. But we lived by a code. We would die for each other. I thought that implied loyalty.
“Kaden, go find Celine. Enjoy your life, and leave me the fuck alone. You did it once.”
“You’re bitter. Because I love you, I don’t want you ever to go through that fear of losing your other half.”
“You thought I betrayed you. Right then and there, we became nothing.”
“So you’re not my friend anymore?”
“According to you, I never was.”
“Why are you here?”
“I have some shit to take care of. Then I’m gone. Do us both a favor and don’t search for me when I leave next time.”
I sidestep him, and he says, “I can’t do that.”
“Learn how to. It shouldn’t be that hard.”
“Are you fucking for real right now? You turn this on me?” he asks, voice ringing with incredulity.
“The talk is over.”
“Blake.”
“I don’t listen to you.”
“You listen to Cassandra. I could see your bond… everyone could.”
“We’re done here,” I say and storm out. His accusation doesn’t taunt me. It leaves me numb.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I see Bailey leaning against her door.
She opens hers, inviting me in. With her laptop open, I jerk my chin toward it and ask, “What are you up to?”
“Cassandra wants me to digitize everything.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“It gives me more control.”
Right. Until we eliminate Felix’s influence, the fight is not over.
“Neither Kaden nor Abi will let it slide.”
“I fucking know.”
She looks at me, a sad expression crossing her features. She doesn’t know my motives either, yet she never doubted my loyalty.
“I’m here, Bailey.”
“Yes, for now. You’ll take care of the remaining danger, and then it’s goodbye for good.”
“I’d always come back if you need me.”
“Our family is in tatters, Blake. I doubt we’ll ever be fine again.”
With a nod, I walk out and come face-to-face with Hunter.
“You two scheming again?”
“I don’t have a problem with you. Don’t start one with me.”
He gets in my face. “Stay the fuck away from my sister.”
“I intend to,” I say, the words tasting bitter on my tongue, then head to my room.
Perching my ass on the windowsill, I glance at my watch. It’s past 2 a.m., and she’s still not home.
The thought that Mia might be with someone else has murderous energy coursing through me, poisoning my rationality.
I text Tyson. Bring Mia the fuck home.
Not even a few minutes later, he’s parking in front of the house. Mia stumbles out of the car but raises a hand in an “I’m fine” gesture. While she fumbles with her keys, I open the door downstairs, and she crashes right into me.
She digs a finger into my chest while opening and closing her mouth. “You’re so hard everywhere… like a stone. Fits you.”
Her words plunge the dagger deeper into my chest, twisting it.
“Go to your room. You’re drunk.”
“I had fun.”
She’s taunting you. Don’t fucking react.
“Yes? Tell me more so I can find whoever it was and kill him. Slowly.”
She gasps, taking a step back. “You wouldn’t.”
“Ah, Silver. We’re past that. You’ve always sensed the darkness simmering inside of me. And it’s itching to prove something.”
She closes her eyes for a moment. “You have no right.”
“I don’t give a fuck. I’m here for a while. Think you can postpone screwing someone else until then?”
She storms past me, tripping on the first stair. I growl low in my throat, and my feet cut the distance between us. Scooping her up, she fights me, but her energy vanishes. She places her cheek against my chest and promptly passes out.
She’s so small and dainty, fitting perfectly in my arms. It makes me think this is what my body was meant to do all along––hold her.
I slip into her room, yet I can’t bring myself to place her on the bed and just leave like I’m supposed to. Inhaling her sweet scent, everything else vanishes. She’s always been the calm to my storm.
I place her down with the utter gentleness that only this girl ignites in me. Brushing her hair from her face, I let my fingers linger on her soft cheek.
“Blake…” She says my name with so much longing, making me weak in the knees.
I remind myself that I am protecting her from me whenever these bouts of weakness threaten to make me give in. Because if she ever finds out the truth, she’ll see me for who I truly am—a monster.
***
Cassandra assured me that my absence at school was taken care of. The news of my return must have made the rounds because the moment I park, the students’ gazes follow me.
After living the way I did for the past two months, going back to somewhat of a routine is a fucking pathetic attempt at normalcy. Yet, I managed before. Plastering on an easy-going smile, I get out of my car. I am instantly surrounded by people who welcome me back.
I spot Kaden parking next to my car. He glances my way before he and Celine walk away hand in hand. Next, Abigail and Dane arrive. He gives a quick jerk of his chin in greeting while she sighs, looking at me. Being surrounded by people was easier when I wanted to forget, even just for a few moments, about everything else. But now, all the small talk grates on my last fucking nerve.
Bailey and Mia follow. Bailey waves at me while Mia’s attention is somewhere else—on the girl who has sidled up to me, giving me a sultry look.
Hunter is the last, storming right into the building.
“So what do you say?” the brunette asks, and I answer, not even remembering what she asked.
“Not interested.”
The moment I step inside the classroom, Mr. Hansley nods at me. “Glad to have my favorite student back, Mr. Sinclair.”
“One of us has to make sure the world gets its finest drugs.”
Chuckles erupt in the room as I swallow the knot in my throat. I know of serums that could bring this world into utter chaos. Thankfully, all those studies burned with that fucking laboratory. But knowing my father, I can’t be sure they were the only copies. There was no evidence left at his home. Because I didn’t just leave like Kaden implied, I made sure no one could get their hands on them.
The thought doesn’t bring me fucking peace. But checking some more places will have to wait a few more hours. Be a normal student for once.
At the end of classes, I return to the house with a clear mission. Striding inside, I see Bailey and the others at the kitchen island.
“Give me the address of the cabin you found Felix in.”
“What happened?” Kaden asks.
“I have to check something.”
Bailey sends me the address, and I leave. Three cars follow me as I speed toward the location. I don’t fucking need them.
When I reach the cabin, I push my arm against the door, giving it a push, and let myself in. Dust covers the wooden floor and furniture, and a musty smell permeates the cabin. No one has been here in a while, which is a good sign, but I rummage through drawers anyway to be sure.
“Start talking,” Kaden says.
“I have this. Go back.”
“What are we looking for?” asks Celine.
Knowing they won’t give up, I give in, “My father must have had a backup for all his research, and if someone finds it or is in the possession of one particular serum…”
What I don’t say out loud hangs around us with deadly implications. Kaden rakes both hands through his hair. “Fuck.”
Yes, fuck.
We turn the cabin upside down but find nothing.
“Do you know if they had another hiding place?” Kaden asks, no hint of accusation in his tone.
“The laboratory, but that was blown up, and I searched his penthouse.”
“We should talk to him,” Celine suggests.
“He’ll crack under the threat of violence,” Abi says.
“My father is the worst coward, but he’d die for that research. I have to talk to Cassandra.”
Kaden grips my elbow. “Let’s get one thing straight. We’re a team.”
I look around. All of them have their feet firmly planted, signaling their agreement.
“It’s my responsibility.”
“Shut up, Blake,” Hunter says. “It will always be ours. This is our fucking life.”
I call Cassandra. “We need to talk.”
“Officially or unofficially?”
“Officially.”
“Meet me in an hour at the estate,” she says before hanging up.
Celine approaches me. “I never thanked you for saving my mom.”
“And you never have to.”
She nods, and I say, “Are you okay with––”
“Please, I look forward to the official meetings when she doesn’t dote on me like I am a five-year-old.”
A burst of chuckles echoes around us, and we all head back out.
I am the first to leave, and Mia hops into the passenger seat as I start the car.
“What are you doing?”
“I feel like going on a silent and uncomfortable ride for an hour,” she says, putting her seatbelt on.
I bite back my amusement. She looks straight ahead, scrunching the tip of her nose. She is so breathtakingly beautiful. Perfection exists. Mia is the proof––from the inside out, she’s flawless.
Focus, you idiot.
“How’s the head?”
She fakes a gasp and puts her hand on her chest. “He cares.”
That was never the problem.
“Still missing London? You could go back and leave this behind.”
“I don’t leave my family.”
“Are you trying to hurt my feelings?”
“You don’t have any.”
At times, I wish that were true.
Whenever I notice her stealing glances at me from the corner of my eye, I smirk, enjoying this little back-and-forth between us. I’m thoroughly fucked because I crave her next move… no matter what it is. Control, it was nice meeting you, but I think you just found the opponent to knock you down.