He sighs, like I annoy him. “You really are out of touch. It’s Gracie’s twenty-first. Ewan has arranged a whole shindig, more extravagant than he has for any of his other children.”
“How do you know this?”
“I told you. I know everything.” He eyes me as I twirl my knife and move to the guy laying in a pool of blood.
He’s not dead. I can hear a rattle of breath left in him, but he will be dead soon since I’m going to help him along.
Bending, I plunge my knife into his chest and right through his heart.
“That’s kinda hot,” the guy snickers, and I reef my blade free and turn to glare at him.
“I’m taken.”
“Ohhh I know. ByAsher Scott. Isn’t he best mates with your kids?”
I stiffen, glaring at this man who really does know more than he should.
“How do you know what you know?” I ask, and he shrugs.
“I make it my business to know.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s how Iwin.”
I stare at him, not sure if I should be thanking him for helping me, or killing him because he’s clearly a threat.
“Your name. Now!” I snap, and he fakes being scared, shaking his hands like they are trembling.
“Ooooh so scary.”
“I guess I’ll just kill you then.” I shrug, readying my knife, and he sighs.
“Fine, you can call me AJ, but that’s all I’m giving you. The rest you have to earn.”
Who does this guy think he is?
“You don’t honestly think I’m going to help you, do you?”
He shrugs. “I’m sure you will see sense, eventually. In the meantime, allow me to save your arse while your boyfriend is getting beat up in the cage.”
“What? He’s hurt?”
AJ snickers. “Wow, you really do have it bad for him. What is it like being a cougar? Does he call youMummy?”
I lunge at him with a frustrated scream, and he easily dodges me, laughing at my expense as he backs up towards the mouth of the alley.
“I’m not helping you!” I scream, and he shakes his head.
“Yeah, you will, Lily, because you’re the only one who has the power to rattle him. You’re the only one who was brave enough to leave, and not let him rule you.” AJ turns, striding casually to the end of the alley before turning back. “Don’t you ever wonderif his threat to make you sterile was forced onto any of the other Marx women?”
My heart stops beating. I swear it does as his words sink in and he walks away.
I never considered that Ewan would do that to one of my sisters, or one of his own daughters, but even as I consider it, I know it’s a real possibility.
Ewan Marx is a monster, but then again, so am I.
I left all of my family to deal with him, and I’m beginning to think I should’ve stayed and helped them.
