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“Do you even care?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t care.”
When I didn't answer her, she turned towards the outdoors, taking in a deep breath. "If you want to leave right now, I would help you."
"What do you mean?"
"You can go, right now. They might chase you, but I know...people. I have friends that can help you hide."
I considered what kind of life that would be, always on the run, always looking over my shoulder. And what about Callie? And Benson? What kind of life would they lead?
“Thank you, but no,” I shook my head. “I can’t do that to my family.”
“I thought you would say that. I understand how important family is.” She nodded empathetically and turned to go, then paused. “My advice? Don’t trust anyone in the Magnolia. Even Rook. He’s dangerous, at the best of times.” With that, she gave me a sad smile. “See you around Summer. Hopefully, they don’t kill you any time soon.”
With that, she shut the door, leaving me in the darkness of the foyer.
CHAPTER 27
Rook
Thunder boomed, lightning flashing through the sky as I stood in the shadows of a copse of trees, watching and waiting. Out beyond, the waves crashed against the shore, and I wondered, not for the first time, if he would show.
Finally, at ten minutes til, I saw the small boat cut smoothly through the choppy water. It shuttled into the dock, a spotlight blinking twice before it turned off.
They would wait five minutes, and then they, and the opportunity, would disappear forever.
Studying the boat, the water beyond, and the area around me, I waited until four minutes and fifty seconds had passed, then stepped out from the shadows.
Maxon's eyes were immediately on me, as if he'd known I was there the whole time.
Deep-set eyes followed me—from the man standing next to Maxon, as I made my way towards them.
"This is Cillian,” Maxon introduced, calling out over the pouring rain and pointed to the man standing next to him.
“Hello.” I nodded.
Cillian didn’t answer. Wearing black jeans and t-shirt, a gun and knife tucked into his side, he only stared at me with narrowed eyes.
"Don't worry about him.” Maxon responded, turning the ignition. “He's not happy to be doing business with you, but he'll get over it. Let’s go.”
“That’s it?” I asked. “We’re not going to discuss an agreement?”
“No. You enter this boat, there is no going back."
Unease settled in my stomach, but I didn’t hesitate for long. This was what I’d waited for, planned for, for so long. Coming to an arrangement with Maxon was the shortest way to Saul.
Hopping up into the boat, my unease growing, I mentally assessed whether or not I would return alive. But I stayed silent, feeling Cillian’s eyes on me the whole time, as we headed towards open water.
I kept to the edge of the boat, preferring the pelting wind and rain to trusting the two men under the hardtop covering. Though they seemed to know their way, they used a powerful spotlight and a high tech navigation guide. The motor was unusually quiet, easily moving through the restless waves, though we bounced roughly.
After an hour, the rain began to wane as we approached a small island. With tall cliffs and a large, looming mansion, I knew I was truly seeing the inner working of the Veritas for the first time.
They were smart to use different islands off the coast for distinct business.
On Greybone Island, the Magnolia reigned, dealing in secrets from all over the world. Although a huge source of income for the Veritas, it wasn’t the only one. There were much more evil ones, ones I pretended didn’t exist.
I had a sinking feeling all that was about to change.
