Kaden
Chapter twenty-five
Melody. Melody. Melody.
It’s a constant heartbeat—replaying in a steady loop.
My sister consumes my every thought, even when I shouldn’t be thinking of her.
As the months fold in on themselves, our connection turns into what it always should have been—long dates that last until early morning hours, staying the night in her dorm when Kodi isn’t around, and touching her anytime I please.
How long have I dreamed of this?
Of us?
Far too many years. And now I have her.
As Ivan drones on about his grand scheme to dethrone his father, his lavish boardroom filled with security and enforcers, I’m solely focused on the message bubble that’s been dancing across my screen since I started the text thread with Melody.
I have Botany 101 next. Thinking of you <3
Thinking of you, too, pretty girl. Good luck with your test.
I’m going to crush it. Hope you can sit through four hours of singing.
I snort, shaking my head. I promised her that if she scores high, I’ll do anything she wants. Apparently, sitting through a Broadway play is her idea of anything.
“Kaden.”
My eyes shift up to see my friend with his palms pressed to the edge of the table. His expression is severe and scolding in its intensity. “Are you paying attention?”
I tuck my phone into my lap, tilting my head. “Yeah.”
He stares at me for a beat, his eyes screaming that he doesn’t believe me for a moment as he continues. “We’ll make our move before Christmas. A month from now, my father’s empire will fall with him, and I’ll rebirth this family into something grander than money laundering and gambling.”
Ivan concludes the meeting. While everyone is talking low among themselves, the invisible clock inside my head ticks louder.
I know what my future looks like, yet for some reason, I keep separating myself into two, each half representing a different path that isn’t closely correlated.
On one stretch, I’m with Ivan, my hands bloodied, and that sick urge inside of me finally sated.
It’s a reprieve from the years of silent suffering—a trophy for what I’ve endured.
But the other…
Sunlight beams, casting rays over golden locks that shine like pure warmth. Eyes that turn to pools of honey, golden specks dancing across them, crease at the sight of me. My sister’s pale lips turn up into a bright smile, all for me and the very center of my world.
There’s a possibility that I’ll shatter that vision the moment I tell her what I plan to do. Which is why I haven’t said a damn thing. Because I’m fucking selfish, and I don’t want to lose her affection. I can’t.
“Kaden,” Ivan warns as the meeting room clears out. “Stay back.”
I sigh, plopping back down in my chair as Saint hops up on the table beside me. He flicks open his pocket knife, twirling it between his fingers as we wait.
The future Pahkan’s glare cuts like daggers into me, his face remaining immovable—unshaken. “Kaden, if you can’t do this—”
“Whoa, whoa,” I chuckle, waving a hand. “Who the fuck said—”
“Listen to me,“ Ivan urges. “Don’t think we don’t know where you’re going when you sneak off without a word. You’re under my direct fucking orders now. This can’t keep going.”
My eyes widen before that sterile, impassive expression returns. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He hangs his head, the weight of the underworld resting on his shoulders. He’s changed over the last few months, molded into someone harder and much more unforgiving. “Melody is my friend too, you know?”
“Don’t bring her into this,” I snap.
Saint stabs his knife down into the wood of the table, turning his eyes to me as he places his elbows on his knees. “You already did, Kaden. She has no idea what we’re planning. What you’ll do.”
My jaw ticks as I look away from them. I can’t stand the weight of their stares because I know they’re right. “I’ll tell her.”
Ivan’s fist tightens on the table, the veins of his hands bulging with rage. “We all know that’s a bold lie.”
I turn to him, rising out of my chair. “I said I would tell her! Don’t make a fucking joke out of me. I have your god damn trademark tattooed into my skin, Ivan. I’m doing this.”
He sighs heavily, his face falling a fraction.
“And what do you plan to do when she no longer wants you?
Hmm? This thing between you and Melody has been going on for far longer than anyone outside of this room can even begin to comprehend.
But we know.“ He steps back, the air becoming thick and suffocating.
My heart slams painfully as my mind screams—two opposite agendas battling inside of one body.
“Are you really going to give up everything you ever wanted just to kill?”
My eyes screw shut as the pain lances through me like electrical wires with frayed ends touching water. I don’t want to lose her. The thought of it fucking hurts.
But I can’t keep going like this. No one else knows about the urges I’ve had, what I’ve repressed to keep myself from being locked up.
Because prison means no more Melody, and what my friend is offering me is still a way to get that relief and have her in the end.
She may see me as a monster, but I’ll be her monster.
No matter what happens, she won’t have a choice in the end. I’ll make sure of that. I have my own plan that Ivan isn’t privy to, but he’ll understand when the time comes. I just have to be patient.
“Yes,” I answer, squaring my shoulders as a deathly calm washes over me. “I’ll give it all up.”
Lie.
Something akin to disappointment swirls in my friend’s eyes. “Then this is it. You’re going to tell her.”
“I am,” I nod. “Am I free to go?”
He dismisses me with a nod, and I head for the door of the meeting room. My hand ghosts the handle when he calls after me.
“Kaden, don’t make me step in. You won’t like the outcome.”
My teeth grind. “Heard.”
As the door slams, my phone pings with a message.
95%! Pay up! :)
That easy smile tugs at my lips as my chest aches.
You’re the highlight of my day. I’ll be there at seven.