“If you had this many, why did you need to come to Happy Flowers and Helena’s Flowers?”
“You look like Laura, so I wanted your help. Helena’s Flowers can’t compare to your shop. They don’t offer the same warmth.”
I wanted to ask more questions, but a bearded man with a cross tattoo on the side of his neck entered. “Everyone’s here for the ceremony.”
“I’ll be there.” Tony turned to me, and I looked for his cross tattoo, which was on the back of his neck.
Were they going to brand me?
“There are more pots and soil in the storage room over there. You don’t need to finish all of it today. Do five, then go down the hallway to the door that says Packaging.”
“Okay, but what am I going to do there?”
“Avery and Hailey will teach you how to package products. Now, put this on.” He gave me a chain necklace with a wooden seal engraved with the initials H.N.E.C. and an image of a bleeding heart flower. “No one will hurt you if you keep this on.”
“What do the letters mean?” I placed it around my neck.
“Hawthorne’s New England Chapter.”
Questions bloomed in my head, but I wasn’t sure if I should ask them. Were there more chapters around the country? Where were they located? The thought of it sickened and terrified me.
I didn’t understand why Tonytreated me well. Or was he acting? Was he pretending to be nice to extract information from me? Was he not afraid I might escape? But then again, I’d heard enough about what happened to those who defied orders.
His eyes darkened, looking threatening. “Don’t even think about running. Stay and help me make this chapter successful.” He tapped my shoulder, and the threat in his eyes transformed into warmth. “You’ll be rewarded, Laura. You can travel the world like you’ve always wanted to.”
There it was again. What happened to his sister?
I played along. “Okay.”
“You can be inducted in the next ceremony.” He studied my face. “Where do you want your tattoo?”
No . . .Terror squirmed within me.
“I’m afraid of needles,” I lied.
His eyes hardened. “My sister ought to be braver.”
The brave facade cracked a little, and he noticed.
“Some fears aren’t easy to face,” I said, referring to my phobia and not the needles.
He considered me for a long moment and finally sighed. “We’ll postpone the ink until you’re comfortable.”
“Thank you.”
“Now go take care of my bleeding hearts.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Kain
His face pale, Harry sank into his chair, looking ten years older than when I last saw him today.
“I hope Eva’s okay.” Regret pained Harry’s face.
“I was twenty minutes away, Harry.” I swallowed the lump lodged in my throat. If I had told my security to remain by her side, she’d still be here. I’d never forgive myself for the mistake. “I’ll find her. The authorities have been alerted.”
Aside from his pallor, Harry took the urgent news better than I anticipated. Perhaps his knowledge of the dark world had prepared him for these unpredictable occurrences. Or maybe he was holding back his emotions like me. He didn’t need to know my plan to kill those fuckers. They weren’t getting away with this.
