Page 100 of Bloodlust

"But what, Hayden?" I ask. "There are no buts. Once the deal goes down...that's it. It's over. Our paths diverge and it's done." I pause, my chest tightening. "I'll always be a criminal in the eyes of the law, Hayden, and youarethe law. See? There are no buts."

"I don't have to be," he whispers in a lowly tone. "I could?—"

"No," I state firmly, gasping for air. "I won't let you. This isyourlife, Hayden. You should live it the way you want, without anyone forcing your hand."

"Forcing my hand?" He lets out a cynical chuckle. "It's like you don't know me at all. Camilla?—"

"Maybe I don't," I say flippantly. "Maybe that's the problem, Hayden. Idon'tknow you, do I? All I've known were lies." I swallow. "I think what we have... It'll fade. It's just...temporary, okay?" I clench my fist as I see Zoey and Leo in the distance. "It's just lust, Hayden. It'll... it'llpass."

"Cami—"

"I gotta go now," I say quickly, hanging up. "Ferry's here."

Sucking in a stabilizing breath, I flip up my sunglasses and force a smile as I get off the bench. "Happy Birthday, Zoe," I say as she comes in for a hug. I tense up for a second before I give her a squeeze. I catch a glimpse of Leo, the bags under his eyes more dramatic than the past few nights. "Have you slept at all?"

"How can I?" Leo shakes his head, lethargic and drained. For his sister's sake, he manages a small smile as the ferry arrives. "Let's go, birthday girl."

Zoey's face glows as she watches the ferry dock. "Thanks for this," she says quietly, glancing between me and Leo. "I know with everything going on, the last thing you guys probably want to do is ride merry-go-rounds and stuff but," she shrugs. "But it was some of my favorite memories." She smiles. "The three of us."

Leo and I exchange an uncomfortable look as if those memories aren't ours, as if they're not real. But they are. Somewhere, hidden under all the dust and dirt, fond memories do exist. It wasn't always bad. It wasn't always evil. Zoey remembers. Despite everything that she's gone through, that's she's seen, that's she's heard, she still remembers.

"Remember," I clear my throat, looking at Leo as Zoey leads us down to the embarking zone. "Remember when you ate like twenty mini donuts and had to use Zoella's hat as a bucket?"

Leo blinks. "Jesus... That must have been like?—"

"Thirteen years ago," Zoey chimes in, smiling as we walk onto the ferry. "My tenth birthday." She giggles,reminiscing. "You were so mad that Dad made you take me and Cami."

Leo rolls his eyes. "Well, I was seventeen, and I probably had better things to do than babysit my baby sister and—" he glances at me, a genuine grin on his face, "—a nerdy fifteen-year-old who wouldn't shut up about Justin Bieber."

My jaw drops. "It was a phase."

"Mhmm..." Leo smirks. "I wonder if I still have those videos of you dancing."

"Shut up." I shove my elbow into his ribs as we find three seats at the front of the boat. "Not another word."

"I completely forgot about that, actually," Leo laughs, sitting down next to me as Zoey lingers above us, scanning the ferry. "Could've been blackmailing you all these years."

"Ha-ha," I chide, rolling my eyes. "Cute."

"I'm going to go to grab a soda," Zoey says, glancing down at us. "You guys want anything?"

"No thanks," I say, looking playfully at Leo. "Donut, perhaps?"

"Funny." He scowls at me before smiling at his sister. "I'm good." Zoey skips away, lifting away the temporary rose-colored glasses. Leo rubs his eyes, giving me a dubious once over. He lifts a brow. "You're wearing jeans."

I snort, leaning back into the wooden seat as I cross my legs. "I'm trying to blend in."

"Yeah..." Leo sighs, looking into the distance. "Guess you've gotta start somewhere." He stays silent, watchingthe seagulls soar. "Mils..." He looks over at me, apologetic and hurt. "I swear I didn't know." He shakes his head, closing his eyes. "I would have never allowed them to?—"

"I know," I say, placing my hand on his knee. "I know you didn't."

"Good." With a melancholy smile, he dwarfs my hand with his, giving my fingers a squeeze. "This is all so fucked up, Mils. I... I still can't process it." He swallows, jaw locking. "I knew our parents had secrets, it's part of the job but..." He sighs, releasing a heavy breath. "I'm sorry." He meets my weary gaze with a look of old love. "I shouldn't have left you. I should've stayed. Maybe then..."

"It wouldn't have changed anything," I say. "Daniel would still be dead, and The Council would've still gotten their way."

"But you wouldn't have been alone," he whispers in a hoarse tone. "You were all alone."

"It's fine." I shrug, glancing inside the ferry. "I had Zoey."