Page 13 of Bloodlust
“Think! You didn’t think, Zoey!” I yank the knife from the counter and toss it into the sink. “I know he’s your brother, but he isnotto be trusted!” Zoey buries her face into her hands, shoulders hitching as she cries. It must be nice. The ability to cry. “Look at me when I’m talking to you!” She glances up, eyes red. “Leonardo left. He isnotfamily, Zoella. I am!”
Zoey stops crying. She remembers. Of course, she remembers. It’s not something you forget.
Family protects family. Family dies for family. Family kills for family.
Blood stains not only the hands but the heart as well. My heart is crimson, drenched in the lives of monsters. But it doesn’t bother me. I’ve made my peace. When the time comes to plead my case, I’ll proudly hold up my bleeding heart and take whatever fate becomes me.
My soul died five years ago. Along with the girl I once was.
“I’m sorry,” Zoey says, sniffling. “I shouldn’t have met him, but I wanted to see if he’d tell me why he was back in the city.”
“You’re allowed to see your brother, Zoey, but you’re not allowed to hide it from me.”
“It won’t happen again,” she says, nodding. “Please believe me.” She holds out her shaky hand, pleading with me to hold it. “You have my loyalty, Cami. You know that.”
“You’ve disappointed me, Zoe.” I stare at her nervous fingers, unwilling, or rather, unable, to comfort her. “Don’t let it happen again.”
“It won’t. I promise.”
“Very well,” I sigh. Only time will tell. “So? What did he tell you?”
“Well, apparently it’s just a visit. He said he wanted to check in on you.”
“He told me the same thing. You believe him?”
Zoey shrugs. “I don’t know. It’s hard to tell with Leo.”
“He met with your father last night. Do you know why?”
She shakes her head. “No, but I can try and find out.”
“Don’t.” I pop an apple slice into my mouth. “There’s a Council meeting in a few days. I’ll find out for myself.”
“Speaking of The Council,” Zoey turns the tablet toward me, “they’re all back in the city.”
My lip twitches. “All of them?”
“Yeah...” Zoey bites her lip. “Apparently they’re worried about Judge Keegan. That he’ll start poking around.” She pauses. “The deal happens in a couple of weeks, Cami. It needs to be clean.”
“Right.” I take a steadying breath. “It’s fine. I’ll put their worries to rest.”
“How?” Zoey asks.
“I’m going to make sure he knows exactly who he’s dealing with.” I nod at the tablet. “Find out everything you can about Judge Keegan. Family, friends, where he gets his dick wet. I want to know every detail about the man. I’m sure he’s got a few skeletons in his closet.”
“You’re not gonna kill him, are you?” she whispers.
I chuckle. “And draw unwanted attention? Seriously, Zoey? Use your head.”
“So, what’re you going to do then?”
I smile down at her. She’s still so pure. I miss being in my early twenties. She still dreams. “Depends on what you find.” I check the clock. They’re open now. “You have until tomorrow, okay? I want to get this over and done with before the meeting.”
“Whatever you’re going to do, you’ll contract out, right?”
I shrug.
Zoey’s eyes widen. “Cami, contract it out!”