Page 96 of Liar
He chose her. Hechoseherhechoseherhechoseher.
The pleasure of Agent Colt’s company comes to an end, and so does the safety of the police station when they drop me off at the manor, assuring me of a patrol car stationed outside my home until they confirm my story and arrest Damion.
I’m thankful to the stars when I wake up to flashing red and blue lights coming from across the street Sunday morning. It’s early—around four—when I slide out of bed and run to my window overlooking Weatherby Manor’s driveway. Plenty of police vehicles are parked on the private street with men barely visible in their black gear crawling over the Briar property like giant rainforest ants.
I don’t get the pleasure of seeing Damion in cuffs because Dash slips into my room and pulls me from the window, muttering things about promising Malcolm to keep me safe and how that doesn’t include allowing me to become target practice at an open window.
It’s the most sarcastic I’ve ever heard him. I’m impressed enough to listen to Dash’s warnings and spend the day doing Thorne’s busywork and figuring out where Damion’s crypto is stashed. Laptop on my knees, hunched over in bed, I form an idea before shutting the computer down and imagining the pleasure of stealing all Thorne’s money. I have to succeed at this.
Ergo, Monday morning is upon me much too soon. I’m expected to attend school, according to both Dash and Agent Colt, who’ve apparently become my substitute parents. Dash purchased me another phone, and I spent most of my Sunday afternoon talking freely to my adoptive parents and promising I’d come home soon.
As soon as I can confirm Damion is behind bars for good.
I allow Dash to drive me to school like it’s any other day, despite the nervous tugs in my belly and the sense of dread crushing my chest. I can be as confident as I like on the outside, but inside, I’m strangled by uncertainty. At seeing Thorne—if he’s even at school—facing Aurora and her crew, and staying strong when Savannah inevitably comes up to me and slaps me in the face.
I’m by no means perfect, but I’m committed to doing the right thing.
“You call me if there’s trouble,” Dash says in his deep, smooth voice as he slows in front of Winthorpe’s front courtyard.
“I will.” I push open my door, stepping out into the cold with my bag slung across my back and eyes straight ahead. The physical sensations are nothing compared to the chill I’m feeling inside and the heaviness of keeping my head on my shoulders.
I could be shanked for what I’ve done. This school isn’t any different from prison when someone’s betrayed them. Am I willing to die on this hill?
Thorne’s heartbreaking face comes to mind. Yes. A thousand times yes.
With a deep breath, I take a step forward.
Chapter 30
Thorne
When Ember escaped the catacombs with Malcolm and Jaxon, I thought my father was going to kill me.
I would’ve welcomed it. One can face death down only so many times before you start to wonder if it’s the best route to finding peace at last.
The man wanted to—oh, was he fucking desperate for it as he staggered toward me, his eyes vile with rage while he reached out a curled hand, skeletal and bloody like Death himself.
I stopped him with two simple words. “I know.”
Father halts, one hand cupping his nose while blood drips off his chin and stains his cloak and suit. To further my statement, I glance sideways at Sav, then back at him.
Father’s lips tremble with forcefully contained wrath. “If you ever utter a word…”
“I won’t, and neither will you.” After wiping the branding iron on my pants, I throw it to his feet. It clangs loudly in the catacombs, most members deserting the premises once they realized the huge liability of an injured, pissed-off king.
Savannah stares nervously between us before holding Father’s elbow. “You need a hospital.”
He yanks out of her grip, sending her stumbling. I catch her before she falls, and Sav clutches me, crying. “Why? Why is this happening to me? I love him. I love him!”
My hands spasm as they hold her, though I’m battling with the deep urge to toss her to my father and tell him to handle his own messes. But Sav and I were a unit once, and she was a happy, beautiful girl before my father poisoned her. Probably just to see if he could.
With the way he rakes her up and down with disgust, I decide I’m not far off the mark.
“You’ll destroy any claim to the Noble throne, son. Are you willing to fuck over your future so permanently? If anything happens to me, I’ll ensure your suffering. Take my word for it. That girl is unhinged from her trauma, unreliable and suicidal.”
Sav tears her face away from my chest and screams. “I have the ashes, you son of a bitch!”
Father stiffens.