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A life saved for two lives lost.
I think about Raya—what she made me promise before she died—and Ava and Cora in Monaco, motherless and trying to make it on their own. They’ll be on the run from The Association for the rest of their lives.
Anger surges up my spine at the thought of the criminal organization that tried to rope my family into its twisted web in the past because adding the old-money Andersons to the mix could only expand their power. I’ll never forgive them for what they did to my siblings over the years.
Then I think about Mom, her body broken at the foot of the staircase, marbles scattered around her.
Will anything atone for those deaths?
Can I do it right this time, or will I just add another body count to my list of failures?
My stomach churns, and I fist my phone. Sweat drips off my forehead.
“Fuck!” I pace some more.
A sharp pressure forms at the base of my neck, my head throbbing now. I pop another Velowake into my mouth. My ribs constrict and I can’t draw in a full breath.
Can I do this?
I don’t know, but I’ll die trying. I’ll do anything rather than feel the way I do now—half alive.
The pressure suddenly lessens, and oxygen floods into my lungs.
Yes. This is the only way out.
With trembling hands, I unlock my phone and type a response.
Rex
I’m in. And…thank you.
Completely absorbed in my message, I barely notice the soft footsteps coming my way.
“I’ve been tasked with dragging you back inside. What’s the emergency?”
I look up, finding Lana narrowing her eyes at me.
“Work stuff. You won’t get it.” Quickly, I hit send and stuff my phone into my pocket.
She scans my face and I hold still, hoping my sister doesn’t pick up on anything. Lana is sharp, but you’ll never hear me tell her that, because riling her up is a hobby of mine.
“Hm. Okay,” she murmurs and waves me back toward the house. “What are you waiting for? Meet your executioner. Shoo. Go back in there. We aren’t done with you yet.”
Groaning, I follow her back into the house, but this time, I feel a little lighter.
Atonement. Elias’s favor. The cruise.
Yes, this is what I need.
Chapter Seven
Moments later, Lana settlesnext to me with Grace and Taylor strolling into the library after us. Oh great, almost the entire gang. This torture will never end.
Taylor quips, “You look like shit. And you know I don’t bullshit anyone. Shit is shit. And that’s nothing to shit about.” She looks pleased with herself as she plops onto the carpet.
“How can you say that to yourfavoritebrother? And all those ‘shits,’ not exactly prima ballerina material now, isn’t it?”
She gives me the middle finger. Charles chuckles and presses a kiss on his fiancée’s hair.
