“You think you’re being loyal, but all you’re doing is enabling him. First and foremost, I’m the underboss.”
“You’ve always been his,first and foremost,” Bishop corrected.
There’d been a time when Shiloh’s mother had still been around when that had been challenged. She’d “gifted” Sarang toKian, and they’d all gone along with it even though it hadn’t been true.
Shiloh because he hadn’t wanted to give her the satisfaction of seeing him bothered.
Sarang because he couldn’t risk her removing him entirely.
And Kian…Well, it appeared now like a big part of his accepting had been a deal struck between him and his brother.
But Sarang had always been loyal to Shiloh above all else.
“You won’t accept him then?” Bishop asked. “Now that you know he has blood on his hands?”
“We all have blood on our hands. We’re mafia.”
“Don’t pretend not to understand.”
Sarang glanced away. “I’m not sure.”
What would life with Shiloh even be like now? Before, Sarang had a clear place at his side, guarding him, protecting him, spoiling him even. But now?ThisShiloh, the real one, didn’t need him.
Which meant the only reason for his insistence otherwise, for this whole charade and trying to get Sarang in line, had to be residual effects of the life-bond.
That’s when Shiloh had started the act, right? After Sarang had healed him and linked them. Now that he was thinking about it, the person he’d met in the salt field had been brash and confident. He hadn’t cowered in the presence of an alpha, not even one of Sarang’s stature.
Sarang had been too caught up in the man who’d clung to him when he’d woken and begged him not to leave. The one who’d been unable to look him in the eyes when he talked about the Eumia, how he was trapped in a dangerous world he couldn’t handle, and how desperately he needed someone to save him.
He’d spoken directly to Sarang’s hero complex, had pegged him from the get-go.
Had manipulated and used him.
“Was it fun?” Sarang found himself asking, taking out his frustrations on the man who was here, since the omega he wanted to see was avoiding him. “Watching me misunderstand and fawn all over him? Watching him play me?”
“It was sometimes entertaining,” Bishop answered smoothly, the almost monotone inflection in his voice never wavering, the only sign that he wasn’t trying to be a dick. “The prince is a very good actor.”
On that they agreed.
“The prince will pay for his deception.” No matter what conclusion Sarang ultimately ended on, that was a given. He would be punishing Shiloh, the only thing left to decide was how his revenge would be enacted.
Bishop sighed and then heading for the door. “There’s work to be done, and I’m afraid you just inadvertently triggered phase two. I’ll be back to collect your tray in an hour. I highly suggest you eat it all. You’ll need your strength for what comes next.”
“We aren’t done talking, Lefthand.”
“I was instructed to tend to your relative needs,” Bishop quipped. “Not engage in friendly debates.”
“When I get out of here, you’re going to regret this.”
The beta hesitated briefly and then nodded, seemingly accepting his fate. He opened the door and darted into the hall in one swift move, leaving no time for Sarang to even consider attempting to make a run for it.
Alone once more, he stared at the plate of hot food, scowling when he saw they were his favorites. It was insulting, as though they were rubbing it in his face how well Shiloh knew him when he’d been tricked and kept in the dark.
How much of it had been real?
Did the omega actually believe he could get away with this? Even if he’d come to some sort of underhanded agreement with Kian, Sarang refused to take this lying down. He’d take this time to reflect on their past, wait the omega out for as long as he had to, and then he would demand answers.
Maybe he’d spoiled Shiloh too much these past years, had helped form the misgiving that Sarang was harmless.
