Page 9 of Vicious Deception
At that, Axel’s lips twitch, and he coughs into his elbow. His eyes are sparkling as he shares an amused glance with Ludo—although Ludo looks more irritated than anything.
“Whatever,” Andrew grumbles. “Ryker goes on aquest,and he discovers he has a sister that he didn’t know about. And she didn’t know about him, either.”
“Yeah, yeah, Amity.” Benny is leaning forward now, his focus fully on his brother. “She helped him discover his powers.”
“Right. Well, before either of us were born, Dad used to be married.”
Ludo settles back in his chair. His previous annoyance is gone now that he’s following Andrew’s train of thought, although he still looks a little impatient.
“Yeah,” Benny says slowly—almost mockingly. “To Mom.”
Andrew shakes his head. “He had a wife before Mom. She died a long time ago.”
Did Richard tell him this? Or did Holloway fill him in?My anger rises as I realize it must’ve been Ludo.That wasn’t his fucking place.
“Wait.” Now, Benny turns back to me. “You . . . you’re our brother?”
Silently, I nod. I’m not sure I can control my voice right now. It’s taking everything in me to maintain an appearance of calmness.
“Told you he’d get it,” Andrew says to Ludo. “Yeah, so Benny, Dad—”
“Do we have powers?” Benny blurts. He’s practically vibrating with excitement as his eyes flit from me to Andrew. “Is that what this is about? We have powers like Ryker and Amity?”
“No.” Andrew rubs his face. “How many times have I told you that magic doesn’t exist? Come on, Benny, that’s obviously not what this is about.”
“So you’re just . . . normal?” Benny asks me. His face has fallen, and for the second time this morning, he’s looking at me with disappointment.
It hurts more than I’d like to admit.
“Pretty much,” I say.
“Then why didn’t Dad tell us about you?” Benny demands. “There must besomereason, right?”
“I haven’t talked to Richard in over a decade.” I shift uncomfortably.Do twelve-year-olds know how long a decade is?“He had you and Andrew secretly. Never told me you two existed. I wish I could explain all the reasons why, but I don’t think—”
“Don’t say you’ll tell me when I’m older,” Benny snaps. “I’m sick of that shit.”
“Benny!” Andrew shoots him a glare. “Watch your mouth.”
“Why don’tyouwatchyours?”Benny snaps back. “You’re the one who taught me.”
“Jesus Christ,” Andrew mutters under his breath.
“Enough,” Ludo says as he sits up. “Benny, I invited Rhett here because I thought you’d like to get to know him better.”
Benny narrows his eyes at me. “Have the plans changed? Because I don’t want to live with some stranger. I want to live with Andrew.”
“I’m not here to try to change that,” I say, adding as much reassurance into my voice as I can. “I’m just happy you’ve both found a way to get away from Richard.”
At that, Benny’s features soften just a touch. “Was he bad to you, too?”
I nod as a lump forms in my throat. There’s absolutely no way I’m spilling my guts to the boys in front of Ludo. It’ll be hard enough without him here, but I have to. It’s a point of connection, a shared experience—one that’ll hopefully earn me at least some of Benny’s trust.
Axel slides his gaze away from me, glancing at his watch before standing. “We have work to do, boss.”
Seemingly satisfied enough with where our conversation is going, Ludo stands. “I’m glad I could bring you three together.”
My stomach twists into knots, and for a moment, I’m worried I’m going to puke up the little food I’ve eaten.