Page 10 of Vicious Deception
“Thanks,” Andrew says.
“Can you bring me sour gummies again?” Benny asks, grabbing Axel’s sleeve as he stands. “Pleeeeease?”
“That depends,” Axel replies smoothly.
“On what?”
“You already know.” Axel gives him a look. “If Mia tells me you paid attention during your lessons, then I’ll give you some.”
Benny groans and slumps into his chair. I’m surprised by the jealousy that tinges my thoughts as I realize this is an established dynamic between Axel and my little brother. It feels like yet another thing that’s been stolen away from me.
Before exiting the dining room, Ludo pauses and looks me over. I don’t bother hiding my anger this time. He needs to see it—to know that I feel every ounce of pain he wants me to. If I try to hide it, Holloway will only find a way to inflict more.
With a smirk that Benny can’t see, Ludo slips outside, quickly followed by Axel. The moment they’re out of sight, some of the weight on my chest eases. We’re not alone—the two men who brought me here won’t let me out of their sight, I’m sure—but it’s better.
“You okay?” Andrew asks Benny.
“Yeah,” Benny says quietly. He’s staring at me, still slouched in his seat, and I don’t think the sadness in his eyes has to do with the gummies. “You really didn’t know about us?”
“I wouldn’t’ve abandoned you,” I say softly.
“And you’re really . . . you’re really my brother?”
“Half,” Andrew corrects. “Mom isn’thismom.”
Benny frowns. “Does that matter much?”
“Depends on who you ask,” I reply. “What you think about it is up to you.”
“Are you a lot like Dad?” Benny asks hesitantly.
“I don’t think so.” With a sad smile, I lean forward. “I try not to be.”
Benny glances to Andrew for confirmation, and Andrew shrugs.
“I don’t know much about him either.”
“Why didn’t Dad tell us?” Benny’s hands ball into small fists on the table. “That’s not fair!”
“We’ll talk about Richard soon,” I say, “but not today. For now, let’s focus on each other. I wish I’d been there for all of your life, but I’m just happy to be here now.”
Not entirely the truth—I wish our current circumstances were different—but Benny seems mostly oblivious. If I can try to reduce how traumatizing this is for him, I want to. And talking about Richard . . . I’m going to need some time to figure out how to do so tactfully.
“I guess that’s true,” Benny says, his tone turning contemplative. “It’s really nice that Mr. Holloway brought you here.”
All my thoughts come to a grinding halt.Fuck.
Of course Benny sees Ludo as a good person. He’s given Benny a place to stay, and he’s promised to help Andrew get custody of him. If someone had come along and gotten me and Sammy out from Richard’s care when we were younger, I would’ve looked up to them, too.
It sounds like they got off to a rocky start considering Benny didn’t know what was happening at first, but he’s come around. HelikesLudo—sees him as his hero.
“Yeah,” I say thickly, knowing full-well that Holloway’s men will report every word of this conversation back to him. “Really nice.”
I have to find a way to get us out of here.
Chapter four
Oliver