Page 101 of Speak No Claim

“That means nothing to me.”

“It’s going to be far worse if you don’t answer my question.”

“Last time I checked, I’m just following orders,” I argued, laying out all of my cards perfectly on the table.

It was the only game my father played, and I was prepared to call his bluff, hoping like hell he wouldn’t call me out on mine. I already said too much in front of Hennessy, but I’d have to deal with her later.

“The change in your eyes! Your composure! You’re not fucking any of the women at the lodge when you’ve done nothing but use it as your own personal candy store! I can see straight through you! I can see her behind your eyes!” He sternly pointed at her. “It’s pouring right out of you! She’s your weakness, your fucking death sentence! Don’t you think I know a little about this?”

“Is that why she’s here?” I viciously spewed, finally saying what I’d been thinking.

“You think I’m capable of that?” he countered. “Do I need to remind you that you’re my son? Why would I want you dead?”

“I think you’re capable of anything.”

Hennessy didn’t say a word. She knew better. Though I could still feel her hurt burning a hole in my back.

The silence was deafening all around us. It was eerier than his rage, feeling like each second brought me closer to my own funeral.

“This is a dangerous time for our family,” he clenched out. “You need to do the right thing.”

Getting right up in his face, I mocked, “You wouldn’t know the right thing if it kneed you in the balls and introduced itself.”

His stare flew back to Hennessy. “Don’t make me regret allowing you to attend the Graves. Don’t make a fool out of me, girl.”

She shook her head. “I’d… I… I don’t understand.”

“You’re just supposed to follow the damn rules.” He spun around and left.

There was nothing left to say. It was all burned to ashes.

Exactly like their bodies.

She didn’t wait for a second before attacking me. “You were ordered to watch me?”

She was perceptive, and I wasn’t surprised she caught on that quickly, though I didn’t try to hide it. I was over all the lies, the hiding. I’d been that way my entire life.

“Did the Brotherhood order you? Why? What’s going on? Why are you ordered to watch me?” She couldn’t get her interrogation out fast enough.

“Hennessy—”

“No! Don’t lie to me!” She shook her head. “Does this mean everything that has happened between us has been a lie? Am I just another job to you?”

“That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“I don’t know the truth because no one will tell me a damn thing!”

My patience breaking, I snapped, “Does it look like I want to be yelled at?”

“That’s your response?” She shook her head in disappointment. “What kind of watching, Onyx? Huh? Have you been stalking me? Was that the order you were following?”

“Didn’t we just confirm that?”

“I thought you were joking!”

I cocked my head to the side, folding my arms over my chest. “That’s your mistake.”

“¡Eres un imbécil!”