Chapter 19 #2
A week of distance, surrendering to what we've always been.
Years of history rushed back into place, simply because I was the carving pulled from his rib.
"Mhmmm," I melted, the sting fading between the pull of his lips.
"You gon' let me see pussy tears?" His voice thickened with lust, rough and teasing against my ear.
My lips parted to answer him, but the shrill vibration of his phone cut through the moment. Reaching into his pocket, he cursed under his breath.
"Yeah," he answered.
I tried to steady my breathing, but my body was still humming with anticipation.
"Where?" he gritted. "I'm coming."
"What happened?" I asked, hurriedly pulling my dress down.
"It was security. Talon is out front causing a disturbance."
"Why is he here?"
"I don't know." His jaw tightened as he repeatedly pressed the elevator button like he could force it to move faster. "I'ma go handle that. You go up to the room, and I'll be there when I finish."
Finish settled in my gut, like this was about more than a disturbance.
"I'm coming with you."
"No."
"He's my brother."
Honor glared at me, a warning flaring in his eyes that I didn't understand but felt. The elevator doors chimed open as we reached the lobby. He grabbed my hand and pulled me off. The chilly night air kissed my skin the second we stepped outside. A shiver ran through me that Honor felt immediately.
"You should've taken your ass upstairs," he gritted, not slowing up.
"I'm fine," I huffed, quickening my steps to match his stride.
"You think I give a fuck about who owns this hotel? Do you know who the fuck I am? My last name is Mancinelli!"
Talon staggered near the entrance, shirt half tucked, tie hanging loose around his neck like he'd tried to strangle himself with it and failed.
His hair was disheveled, his jaw clenched, and his eyes were wild and swimming in liquor and paranoia.
Hotel security formed a loose circle around him, close enough to look useful but far enough to deny claims of putting their hands on a Mancinelli.
"You think I don't know!" he barked, shoving a finger in the air before his gaze floated past security and landed on Honor. His expression twisted into something fractured, as if his mind had long ago severed itself from his humanity.
"Talon," I called out, forcing calm into my voice. "Just relax, please."
I stepped forward, and Honor's grip on my hand tightened.
"Navy, shut the fuck up!" he slurred. "This isn't about you. He wants me dead!"
Talon shoved past security. They glanced at Honor for direction. He gave a single nod, and they stepped back.
"You want me dead!" Talon barked, stabbing a finger toward Honor. "It's not my father. It's you. Erase me, and you become the prodigal son! The chosen one!" A manic, liquor-soaked laugh burst out of him, ugly and jagged.
Honor let my hand go and stepped into Talon's space, catching the finger he kept jabbing toward him.
Everything froze when Honor twisted his finger.
The sound of his bone snapping was unmistakable.
Talon's scream tore through the night, as he dropped to his knees, holding his hand.
Honor stood over him, and I felt the ground shift.
This was the man people feared… calm and reserved, as if snapping a man's finger were a minor inconvenience.
"Point that shit at me again, and I'ma snap the other nine."
Talon gazed up at him through watering eyes.
"Fuck you!" he spat. "You'll never be the one to carry on the Mancinelli legacy. You're not blood. You're a fucking orphan, a negrone my father toyed with because your father—"
Talon's grimace turned to me randomly, wild and wounded.
"You too." He winced, pulling himself to his feet. "You're in on it. Him, Lucian… and my own fucking sister."
"I'm not… I… no," I whispered, moving closer despite the warning hammering in my chest. "Talon, please. Let's go up to a room and talk."
"Navy," Honor rasped.
"He's my brother!"
I moved closer to Talon. Honor moved with me.
"Talon, can we—"
One second, I was reaching for him, and the next, his arm was locked around my chest, yanking me against him. The blade kissed my skin. His breath hit my ear, smelling hot and sour.
"Back the fuck up!" Talon screamed at Honor, pressing the knife close enough for me to feel how easily it could sink in.
Tears flooded my eyes, and my pulse jumped violently against the blade.
Talon kept ranting, but his words blurred into distortion as I watched Honor's face go completely still.
His hand slid to the hem of his shirt. I shook my head no.
Honor's eyes met mine as he lifted his hand slowly and motioned for me to turn my head to the right.
"Talon, I love you," I sobbed, squeezing my eyes shut. His grip faltered for a moment. "I promise to take care of Cherish."
The single gunshot split the night wide open.
The knife clanked against the ground. Then Talon slid down my back before collapsing onto the concrete.
Blood pooled beneath him, staining the ground.
His eyes were open but unfocused, anger and paranoia frozen there like he hadn't finished his last thought.
Honor lowered his gun. His breathing was even while mine shattered.
I dropped to my knees beside Talon, hands shaking as I cradled his face.
"No! no! no!" I choked, tears falling onto his cheeks. "Talon, look at me! I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! Things should have been difficult with us! I love you! Know that I love you!"
"Navy, you gotta get up before the police come."
"Wh…why?" I stammered. "I have to stay. I… I was here, I know what happened. I can tell them—"
"That's not how this works. I need you to go to your room."
"I can't!" My voice cracked. "I have to stay with my brother. I was so mean to him in life. I have to be better for him in death."
Honor scooped me up and placed me in the arms of one of the security guards.
"I'll be upstairs when I'm done," he whispered, pressing a kiss to my temple.
"Please don't do this. Honor, please."
He looked at me, eyes vacant and stripped of everything loving.
"Take her," he ordered.
"Honor!" His name tore from my throat, heavy with grief.
Once again, Honor chose me and choosing me meant killing Talon.