Chapter 13
Cassie
The hours seemed to drag on, keeping me on edge.
The sun had already set, creating a dazzling light show of vibrant colors crisscrossing the sky.
The balcony outside had no way of escape, but the small area was a respite nonetheless, the fresh air and light breeze allowing me to feel alive.
Sadly, I was dead inside, incapable of feeling any additional emotion.
I couldn’t.
No, I refused. I felt like in doing so, I was betraying Garrison. I tried to remember all the good things he’d told me about the others. More and more snippets of stories came to the forefront, adding to the guilt I felt in my actions. The three men hadn’t deserved my wrath.
I’d thought of little else but the limited time I’d managed to spend with Garrison.
I hadn’t even known who he was until I was twelve or thirteen.
After that, visitation had been only after several arguments in the house between my parents.
They’d hated each other after that, barely saying two cordial words to each other.
I’d suffered in silence, trying to concentrate on my studies when hundreds of questions had entered my mind.
Most were never answered.
But Garrison had told me every single time that he was with me that the Wild Boys felt like family. That had made me so sad. Now I almost understood what he meant. They were protective of each other, even though they were no longer the same people they’d once been.
I closed my eyes, suddenly remembering the last time I’d seen him outside of prison.
On that day he’d been happy and free. He’d convinced me to sneak out of the house, taking me to my favorite diner, requiring that I order anything I wanted from the menu, then ordering even more of my favorite things.
It had been our little secret, one I could have gotten into a hell of a lot of trouble for.
I’d been miserable, thinking I’d never see him again.
I’d never forget how I felt when he’d appeared that day, a face at my bedroom window, tapping on the glass and making crazy faces.
At the diner, we’d had a very serious talk. I could still envision his face as he’d leaned over the table, folding his arms, never blinking as he spoke softly.
“You’re going to hear some things about me, Cassie, bad things.
Some of them are true, but most aren’t. I gotta do something.
After that, I’ll be home free. Graduation is a month away.
I’ll have a job. A life. And you’re going to be a part of it.
I mean, as much as your ma will allow.” Garrison sighed.
“What are you talking about?”
“You just need to remember I’m a good guy. So are the others. I know I told you to stay away from Alexander, but things are different now. He’s like my best friend.”
“I thought you hated him,” I said, confused.
He laughed. “I was wrong. That happens sometimes. You can trust the Wild Boys. If you ever need anything, you can look them up and they’ll help you.
That’s what family does. But I need to tell you something else.
If anything happens to me, you’re going to be sent a letter, a very important letter.
Make certain and keep it with you. It’ll matter on the day you turn eighteen. Okay?”
“Garrison. What are you saying?”
He reached over, tousling my hair, which he knew I hated. “Nothing, kiddo. Eat your lunch before it gets cold.”
I hadn’t thought about that memory for ages. That had been the day before he’d been arrested in New York.
“Oh, Garrison… Why…?”
The Wild Boys had changed him, shaping him. They’d also given him a place to feel like he was wanted.
I’d known my brother had crossed more than one line. I’d simply looked the other way. But now, all the blame and anger I’d felt came rushing to the surface. I gripped the railing, leaning over, tears rushing into my eyes. Garrison had left me. That’s why I was so angry. He’d left me alone.
Why. Why!
As the visions changed, the explosive passion I’d shared with the three men crowding in, I’d never felt so lost in my life.
If only things had been different, maybe Garrison would still be alive.
I knew he’d been protecting someone, which had enraged me.
That’s what was expected of him. Had he killed those two men? I had to know.
The sadness lingered, my heart racing.
I was dressed as required, even taking the time to style my hair and put on a little makeup. That’s what they wanted. Maybe that’s what I wanted as well. I smoothed down the dress and sighed. How had things gotten so far out of hand?
And how could I feel so strongly about all three men? The question continued to shift through my mind with no decent answers.
I stared down at the glorious-looking pool, the surrounding lights creating a tropical atmosphere.
Everything here was gorgeous, but it couldn’t hide the darkness unfurrowing just under the surface.
The place had been built on the blood of others.
I knew too much about Alexander’s family and what they were capable of.
I was no fool in thinking there wouldn’t be severe consequences—if not from Alexander and the other Wild Boys, by his aging but still brutal father—if I didn’t confess my sins.
The chains hanging around my neck were tightening.
What troubled me almost as much as being their prisoner was knowing someone else was also threatening them. I felt like I was drifting in a maze, mirrors placed on every surface. A part of me wanted to stay here, pretending like life meant nothing off the island.
Another laugh bubbled to the surface. That wasn’t going to happen.
When I heard the lock being disengaged, another round of nerves crept in.
Whoever had come to retrieve me would act the same, a drone taught to ignore every guest. Maybe it was better for them in the long run.
I remained where I was, ignoring the person, but the footsteps were heavy, adding to my apprehension.
There was silence for far too long, which prompted prickles to appear along my arms and legs. Suddenly, the light breeze chilled me to the bone. Before I turned my head, I sensed it was one of them.
“You look beautiful.”
Brogan’s voice held none of the animosity that Alexander’s had, but there was still an edge to him.
The man was just as dangerous, but not only because of his brawn and capabilities.
He’d captured a portion of my heart years before.
The moment I’d laid eyes on him, the deep feelings had been rekindled.
Now they were an inferno because of what we’d shared.
Heat swept up from my neck, drifting along my cheeks all the way to my ears.
“It’s time,” I said not as a question. I knew he could hear the ugliness in my voice. Or maybe it was just a complex layer of fear. I tried to look away. I couldn’t allow him to see me cry.
But he had.
His expression changed, his eyes filling with concern. He brushed his thumb under one eye then the other, gathering my lingering tears. “What’s wrong, little flower?”
“What does it matter?”
“It does matter. I don’t want you hurt.”
I pushed my fist against his chest. “All three of you did that years ago.”
“Talk to me. Tell me how we did that. I’ll fix whatever is broken. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Brogan. I’m empty inside. I don’t know if I can handle the rage or anything else.”
He took a deep breath, glancing toward the sky.
“When I was a kid, I was forced to listen to my parents arguing. My dad would break things, scream at her like everything that had gone wrong in his life was her fault. I used to crawl out onto the roof of the garage from my window and stare up at the stars. It was the only peace I ever had. I’d dream about all the things I wanted to do in my life when I got away from my abusive father. ”
“I’m so sorry,” I said as I studied his eyes.
“Don’t be. I know you don’t understand why the three of us cared about each other, but we were all broken.
Every one of us. Even Alexander. All the money his family had, all the power and influence, he was just as lost as the rest of us.
So we banded together, making a pact. Garrison was a part of that. By his choice.”
Choice. I wondered if any of us had ever really had a choice.
“Did looking at the stars help?”
His laugh sounded bitter and ragged. “Only for a little while. Then the truth would always come back to haunt me. But I do know that there is beauty in this world. You reminded me of that. I think you reminded all of us. I only hope you can learn to trust us enough to explain your reasons for what you did. The pain is eating you alive.”
I closed my eyes, trying to shove aside memories of the fateful morning when I’d seen the four of them together.
When I didn’t say anything, he frowned. “You need to eat.”
“That’s what your leader said earlier.”
He laughed. “Leader? Is that what you believe Alexander to be?”
I turned around, folding my arms. “Well, isn’t he? Doesn’t he control both you and Daniel like puppets? Isn’t that what he did while you were at that very special, disgusting university? A secretive place training assassins and monsters.” The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.
“What do you think you know about the college I went to?” Brogan walked closer. “The reason I ask is that you seem to know more than anyone is allowed to know, which means you must have a firsthand experience. Tell me. How is that possible?”
I’d put my foot into my mouth by saying anything about the damn secretive location. It was so far off the grid that you couldn’t find it on any college application. You were invited to the university if you were very special. “Nothing other than what I’ve read.”
My lies were only continuing the heightened anger. Brogan crowded me against the railing, placing his hands on either side of me.