Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“You can always bring her back,” Carter says, rushing the words out. As if they’re an excuse for his proposal to be justified. “It’s just a way to see—”
“Another test.” The hard words leave me with as much anger as they do anguish.
It’s quiet, far too quiet and I lift my gaze back up to Carter to see him nod.
“Another test but also … an option for space.”
A sarcastic huff of a laugh leaves me and I tell him bluntly, “She doesn’t need space.” I practically spit the words. She needs protection and a firm hand, and he knows that.
I’m struck by the softness in his tone as he tells me, “If I could go back, I would have given Aria more space. I would have let her adjust more comfortably.”
A moment passes and then another as I let his words sink in.
“You did give her space,” I point out, remembering all too well.
“After too much shit happened … after it was almost too late.”
“It all worked out in the end. Didn’t it?”
“Yes. Yes it did, and I’m grateful it did … but Aria is also from the life. Braelynn isn’t.”
“What does that have to do—”
“You know damn well it matters. She doesn’t know shit about how to navigate our world.”
My thumb runs a circle on the pad of my middle finger as I comment lowly, “She’ll learn.” I wish I could confide in him about the thoughts that plague me when sleep evades me. How almost every night, I witness her die. My own death comes shortly after. It’s only a dream, racing thoughts and fears transformed into events that don’t exist. But that reality feels so close. As if it’s only a single incident from being real.
“I’m scared for her and for you, Declan.” I meet my brother’s gaze, forcing the fears of my night terrors down. “I mean it, Declan. I’m only trying to help you.” I know he’d sacrifice his life for me. I know he would never lead me astray. Deep inside, I know his intentions are pure. Not an ounce of me likes it, though. He’s a ruthless, coldhearted man with a reputation of selfishness and callousness. Except for us. Except for family.
With the unsettled feelings stirring, I humor him. “So what are you thinking?”
“A chance to leave, enough money to get away … a tracker.”
“If she takes it, it could mean she did it,” I state as if that’s the real point to all of this. Knowing Carter, he won’t quit until he has an explanation for what occurred. He won’t leave it alone. He’ll never trust her. He’ll never fully bring her in. The realization is a knife to my heart and I can barely listen as he says, “If she takes it, we can watch to see what she does with it.”
I’m silent, letting the reality sink in.
He adds, “Who she contacts. It could give her space to adjust to this life on her own terms.”
I respond with the only thing I know is true in this moment. “I don’t want to give her the option to leave.”
“Tell her you don’t want her to. So she knows how you feel, but give her the option regardless.”
The option. A sickness churns in my gut. She’ll take that option and he knows it. In this moment, I hate him.
“Tell the guards to let her through if she leaves — we’ll watch her and follow.”
I’m quick to answer him, “It’s not going to happen.”
His thumb taps absently on the desk. “I hope you’re right,” he answers.
I don’t hide the defensiveness as I bite out, “I am.”
The large antique grandfather clock ticks away steadily, the air thick with tension.
“I think I failed you back then. With Mom. It was … heavy, too heavy.” Carter’s remark is met with silence. “And I think I may have failed you these last years,” he says with genuine remorse.
I can barely think about him and his feelings when he’s trying to push away the one woman I have ever loved. I’ve never asked him for anything. I’ve given my fucking life to this family. She is all I’ve ever wanted.
“Declan, no matter what happens, I’m here for you. I will do whatever you think is best when it comes to Braelynn.”
“And if I don’t want to do this?”
“Then we don’t. It’s as simple as that.” A shred of relief breaks up the tension in my shoulders and I feel as though I can breathe for the first time since he told me Aria and Braelynn talked.
“Above all else, we are blood and I will always protect you.”
I answer without hesitation. “Same.” Even on the days I’ve hated this life, I’ve loved my brother. That’s a truth that can’t ever see changing.
Time passes as I consider everything. As every possibility plays out in my mind.