Page 21 of Locked Souls

“There’s always going to be something,” he grunts, reminding me. “The lies hurt her, and remind her that she’s not worth the truth.”

“But she is,” I hiss, remembering how awful Maxen treated her. I didn’t know he and Isabella were as awful as they were, and I fucked up when I left her there.

I shouldn’t have left her then, and if I continue to lie, I’m just opening her up to be taken by the people who want to hurt her. It’s this endless cycle, set on repeat. Fuck me.

Guilt heavy enough to choke begins to consume me as I struggle to take a breath. The past threatens to pull me back, but Otto places his hand on my arm and shakes his head.

“Tell her and move forward,” he says, eyes narrowing as he watches me. “There’s no place in the past for us.”

I have to come clean. The lies are no longer serving their purpose. Maybe I was deluding myself into thinking they ever did.

“I need to decide what to say.” I sigh. “Here, he’s asleep now.”

Getting up slowly, I lay Rome in Otto’s arms, giving them both forehead kisses. I’m not a soft man, but I do love them both. I leave them to nap while I walk down the hall and pull my phone out.

I need to contact Kian, to let him know that we won’t be meeting him at the cabin. I hope he understands.

The meeting with The Elders is over, and we still don’t have a solid plan. I’m ready to get the hell out of here, find Otto, and take a nap in one of the empty dorm rooms. I don’t think we will be able to leave campus for a while.

My phone buzzes and I pull it from my pocket. Shit, it’s Kian. I request a video call and wait. The Elders have cleared out now, and Ash is standing by the door, holding his ribs, and I don’t miss the way his eye is swelling shut.

“Ki!” I boom with a small smile. “What’s happened now?”

“Richard James is a controlling asshole, and is Patience’s grandfather. He’s ignored her safety multiple times, and I need him to disappear. He’s been blackmailing me for years to do his dirty little errands. I want Pay to be able to live in peace.”

Damn, he’s really worked up. I glance at Ash.

“I don’t usually ask for payment with something like this, but my sister is missing. I’m worried she’s in trouble. I’ll take care of Richard, and you’ll never have to deal with him again.

“Chastity is important to a lot of people, and she has small children at home—” I trail off, hoping he will take the bait.

“I’ll help,” he says immediately. “I understand the importance of family, more than most. Are you sending anyone? What makes you think she may be here?”

“I didn’t think it’d be so easy,” I sigh, relief creeping into my tone. “Spider is on his way to you. He’ll take care of the old man, then he'll come find you with ideas of who may have taken Chastity. I’m afraid we have a lot of enemies, and many of them live in your area.”

“Of course, they do,” he replies. “I accept the responsibility of helping you find Chastity. I look forward to meeting Spider. It’s about time I meet the man who helped save my step-sister.” He ends the call and I look at Ash.

“Snake has Chastity, so why are you looking into Kian and his family?”

Giving him a smile, I shrug, leaning back in the chair.

“Because Patience James is going to become the leader of the new mafia, and we are going to be by her side as she cleans up the scum around us.”

“Isabella?” he gasps, and I don’t miss how his hands tremble a little.

Nodding, I stand. “Yes, it’s time she's eliminated. Finish up what we need to do here, then make your way to the James’ cabin. Also, maybe grab some ice and painkillers.”

Shit! How has so much changed in just a few hours? It’s safe to assume Ash will not be going to the cabin, but there is someone else that may be even better. Scrolling through my contacts, I find a name that is supposed to be in hiding.

Hitting the dial button, I lean against the wall and wait for even more secrets to be revealed.

BASTIAN

I think the lack of sleep is getting to me. Leaving Chas’ room, I walk around the corner, looking for a vending machine, only to see a woman with blonde hair and large sunglasses covering most of her face.

It’s the middle of the day, and she’s inside a hospital. I immediately know who it is. My fists clench and I'm about to sneak up on her when someone's hand reaches out, pulling me into a utility closet before shutting the door.

“Shhh,” Ash says, and he looks like he's about to be sick. I push away from him and he lets me go, then slumps back against the door, sliding until his ass is on the ground.