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She’s smiling, appearing pleased. “Yer talking aboot Bleu?”
I nod. “I’ve not spoken to Abram since our altercation but I’m certain he hasn’t changed his mind. I don’t see him letting this go.”
“Ye knew that before ye chose tae start seeing her. I dinnae know why yer surprised.”
“Abram reacted just as I expected.” My own response is the one that surprises me. “I never intended for our relationship to mean anything. It was only about …” She knows what my intentions were. I don’t have to say the words.
“But then yer feelings evolved.”
I won’t insult my mum by denying what’s happening between Bleu and me. “What do I do?”
“Expect complications—great large ones.”
That’s not helpful. I’m well aware of the problem I have on my hands. “Trouble is a given.”
“I can think of one solution tae all of this madness.” She grins while lifting a brow. “Recite rule number two of The Fellowship code.”
“You must never violate the wife or children of another member.” Is she suggesting what I think she is?
“Marry her. She would become part of the brotherhood and then no one could say a word aboot her not being one of us.”
I’ve never heard of a member forcing the approval of an outsider by any means. “Has it ever been done?”
“Never.”
“I don’t think that would sway the brotherhood to accept her.”
“Maybe not, but no one could harm her.”
It’s such an extreme measure. “We’ve only known each other for two months.”
“I knew yer father for eighteen years. What did it get me?”
If I had to marry, Bleu would definitely be the only prospect—but I don’t want to, and neither does she. It would ruin everything. “It would be like marrying so we could date.”
“People have done it for less. At least ye love her. And it would keep her safe.”
Am I that transparent? “I never claimed to be in love with her.”
“I dinnae need tae hear ye say the words.” She adds a sugar cube to her coffee and smirks. “Are ye going tae tell me yer too blind tae see that she loves ye too?”
Does she? I don’t know; she’s never said so. Whether she does is of little consequence. “Married or not, the brothers will never accept her.”
Isobel Breckenridge pushes her shoulders back and sits straighter. Her expression clearly changes. “Ye will step intae yer father’s role as The Fellowship’s leader. That means ye never have tae request their permission and ye damn sure don’t ask for their forgiveness.” She points her finger at me and I see a fire in her eyes, one I’ve never noticed before. “Ye make the rules … because yer the ruler. Not the other way around.”
I’m not their leader yet. “I’m afraid Abram will get to her.”
“Ye should be afraid. He won’t blink an eye at killing her. But he cannae touch a hair on her head if she’s yer wife. It’s a sovereign code among the brothers even he wouldn’t dare break.”
“Marriage is too extreme.”
“If ye dinnae love the girl enough tae keep her safe, then tell her goodbye. And soon.”
“I’m neither prepared to marry nor say goodbye to her.”
“Ye brought Bleu into oor circle and put her in danger. It’s yer responsibility tae protect her at any cost. The manner in which ye do it is up tae you, but heed ma warning. Don’t allow Abram tae make the decision for ye. He has plans of his own and it won’t end well for that lass.”
If she knows something, she has to tell me. “What are his intentions?”
“He wants ye tae marry Westlyn.”
What? “I can’t marry her. She’s my cousin.” As if I really need to explain this.
“Not by blood.”
I know Abram was adopted but he’s out of his mind if he thinks I’d consider marrying his daughter, a lass I very much consider family. “Why does he think I’d want to do that? Being with her would feel like incest.”
“He has no consideration for what ye or Westlyn want. He only considers himself. But just so ye know, she isn’t opposed tae the union. In fact, she’s very much in favor of it. He’s groomed her for a long time, making her believe she’d be yer wife one day.”
Abram will never have a chance at being leader. It’s something that’s always eaten at him and he thinks being my father-in-law will bring him another step closer to the leadership role. He wants to be my puppeteer. Too bad for him—I’m no one’s minion.
I’ve loved Abram as an uncle my entire life. I couldn’t see him for his true self when I was a child, but that isn’t the case anymore. The rose-colored glasses are off.
I won’t be forced into a marriage. When I decide to take a wife, it’ll be because it’s my decision. “I have a lot to consider.”
“If ye don’t listen tae anything else I say, hear this,” my mum says. “Backing down tae Abram will be the biggest mistake ye’ll ever make. It’s yer responsibility tae stand up and put him in his place early. Show The Fellowship ye will not be manipulated. I fear for the structure of the brotherhood if ye dinnae.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Bleu MacAllister
Sin left without a word this morning. Or a kiss. Only a handwritten note in place of his warm body that should’ve been next to me. I suspect it has something to do with last night’s incident. I could’ve been crying for any number of reasons, but I wasn’t. And he knows. I don’t want this relationship to come to an end. I’m certain that’s why he didn’t kiss me when he left this morning. He’s disgusted by my display of vulnerability. He has to be; Sinclair Breckenridge isn’t attracted to weakness.
It’s very likely I’ve blown the facade—the one where I’m not attached to him. Or in love. A stupid woman. That’s what I am. And it’s all his fault for making me love him.
Good morning, Bonny Bleu. You were sleeping so peacefully, I couldn’t bear to wake you, even for your morning kiss. I wonder what you could have possibly been dreaming about.
S
“I was dreaming of you, Sin—always you.”
I fall back onto the bed, the note against my chest. These aren’t the words of a man preparing to tell me to leave. They are … endearing. And I’m relieved. That’s the only word to describe what I’m feeling.
It’s Monday. That means it’s call day to Harry.
Since the intruder, Sin is always certain to lock the door when he leaves, but I follow procedure and inspect it anyway. The last thing I need is him slipping in unnoticed while I’m retrieving my phone or using it to talk to my dad.
It’s clear, so I peel the tape away and free my burner phone from its hiding place beneath the bedside table. Although Harry understands, I hate calling at this time—it’s the middle of the night for him. He needs all the rest he can get but this is my safest time of the day to talk.
Things would’ve gone much differently if Harry weren’t sick. I would’ve gotten a couple more years of undercover experience beneath my belt but more importantly, he’d be here with me. That has always been the plan. Thane was always going to be my kill but Harry was coming to do this job with me. We were going to be a team.
Fuck cancer and the horse it rode in on.
Ellison answers Dad’s burner and my heart plunges. I immediately know something is wrong. He’d never give it to her unless his health had taken a turn for the worse. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t freak out. Everything’s fine.”
Bullshit. “Everything’s not fine if you’re answering this phone.” I’m imagining the worst so I take a cleansing breath and blow it out slowly. “How bad is he?” She doesn’t reply. “Elli! Answer me. Now.”
“Hold on to your horses.” I’m barely able to make out what she’s saying because she’s using her quiet voice. “I’m stepping into the hall so I can talk without waking him.”
I’m right. Harry is in the hospital. “When did he go in?”
&nbs
p; “Two days ago. He was originally diagnosed with pneumonia but they ruled that out yesterday. It’s radiation pneumonitis.”
My sister sometimes forgets that she’s a nurse and I’m not. I don’t speak medical language so I have no clue what radiation pneumo-whatever is. “Explanation, please. Dumb it down in terms I’m able to comprehend.”
“It’s an infection of the lungs caused by his radiation treatments.”
But he hasn’t had radiation in weeks … unless he’s been lying to me. “When was his last treatment?”
“Six weeks ago.” Okay. I feel remotely better knowing he hasn’t been lying. “It’s normal for there to be a delay in the onset of the infection.”
I was afraid something like this would happen while I was away. “Is this serious? Do I need to come home?”
“He’ll be okay. They’re treating him with steroids to decrease the inflammation. I expect him to be released today or tomorrow, depending on what his white count looks like.” That’s a blood test indicating how infected he is. That much, I know.
