The look on his face—the look of pure arrogance sends regret hurtling through the pit of my stomach. I’m as good as dead. Kade points the gun in Vince’s direction and he raises his arms.
“Easy, brother. You don’t want two Sario deaths on your conscience, do you?” He grins widely, exposing his teeth. “I went into father’s room and he was nowhere to be seen. I find it convenient he’d go missing right before his big announcement to remove you as his second in charge.”
Shock dries my throat. Oh, fuck!
“Perhaps he grew sick of your shit and left,” Kade replies. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“I should be mad at you, but you know what?” He steps forward. “I’m kind of impressed. I didn’t think you had it in you. Then again, it wouldn’t be the first time you murdered someone in cold blood.”
“I didn’t touch Father, he’s probably harassing someone somewhere, and as for Nine, she’s accompanying me on a walk, Vince. That’s all.”
Vince raises his eyebrows in mock realisation. “Oh my god, really? I’m so sorry for interrupting.” His face falls into an offended scowl. “Do you think I’m that stupid? First of all, who goes on a walk with a gun? And second of all, if your walk is so innocent why is your gun drawn and she’s crying? She tried to escape, didn’t she?”
There’s no pulling the wool over Vince’s eyes. He’s crazy, but he’s not stupid.
“No, she didn’t.”
The trees rustle around us and not a second later, three moderators appear in the clearing. Immediately, Kade tucks his gun into the back of his pants, out of sight.
“Another one?”
“Yes,” Vince answers before Kade has the chance. “Take her to the sitting room.”
With a growl, Kade steps directly in front of me and places a hand on his gun. I don’t try to defend myself. Why bother? I speak when I’m not spoken to and I’m dead. If I declare my love for Kade, I’m dead. If he tries to fight this, we’re both dead. Either way, this isn’t going to end well. Or maybe it is… maybe in the next life I’ll see Thirteen and we’ll live a good, long, healthy life.
“Do me a favour, Kaden. Lash out. I’m sure I’ll do a better job leading this house anyway.”
Sneaky little butthole. He probably planned this whole thing.
“Nobody’s lashing out,” Kade said. “I’ll take her to the sitting room.” He looks at me over his shoulder. “Get up.”
I stare at him for a little while. I contemplate doing what he says, but I know if I go with him I’m going to be beaten and whipped long before I’m shot, but if I provoke him… maybe he’ll just end it.
“Unfortunately,” I say, forcing a smile. “That’s in the opposite direction to where I’m headed, so no, I won’t get up, and no, I won’t go with you.”
I hear the heavy boots of the moderators start forward, but Kade flashes them the palm of his hand. Shadows rest in the hollows of his face and my heart swells. “What did you say?”
“I said no, Fortunate. Going with you won’t help me. Not in the slightest.”
When did I become so do or die? When did I become so reckless and uncaring?
He draws his gun and I find it pointed in my direction once again. I give him a slight nod of the head. Why won’t he just let himself love me? If he told me he loved me, I’d go along with his story. I’d fight Vince and all three of these moderators—I’d do as I’m told. I want to be loved! I deserve to be loved!
“Grab her,” Kade orders and the three moderators advance on me.
I don’t say a word as they dig their thick, hard fingers into my muscles and haul me into their arms, I just watch him, absorbing all of the disappointment and sadness painted on his features. I know for a fact now that he’d choose power and control over companionship and love—just like he said he would. And yet, even with the warnings, I still fell in love with him.
∞
The sitting room is exactly the same as it was when I left it this morning—minus Thirteen’s dead body. I kneel on the floor, keeping my eyes cast down. The only other person in this room is Kade and he leans against the opposite wall, staring at me. In four minutes, the meeting will start and I’m a goner.
“I could have got you out of this mess if you’d just gone along with me,” he hisses. I look at him as he rakes his fingers through his hair. “I thought love gives people hope… if you love me, you’re not supposed to want to leave me.”