Page 16 of Speak No Claim

“You still think I’m here to save you.” His expression hardened. “I gave you a choice, but you stayed, so now you live with the consequences.”

“And what’s that?”

“Me.”

I recoiled.

“Over here!” he shouted into the night, his deep voice echoing through the trees so clearly.

Somewhere in the distance, voices rumbled.

“Hijo de puta,” I hissed. “You son of a bitch.”

“No.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’m actually your new neighbor.”

Catching me off guard, he delivered his final blow, speaking with conviction…

* * *

“I’m Devereaux’s son, Onyx.”

Chapter

Five

Hennessy: One choice can change everything.

The branch that had supported my weight for who knows how long disappeared behind a curtain of leaves as I carefully lowered myself down the tree. It was always easier going up than down. I knew my rainforest like the back of my hand, but this one was different. These woods weren’t mine, and every branch felt more challenging than the last, waiting for me to make a mistake and slip and fall.

The oak creaked beneath us. It was old enough to remember the centuries it lived. Its bark was rough on the palms of my hands. Sap clung to my fingertips, sticky against all the cuts I’d earned while climbing up into its arms.

Up there, hidden from the world, there were no expectations from me, no whispers, no Graves Academy.

Just me.

The farther I made it down, the louder the whispers became again. They were unforgiving, making me feel the instant sting of what awaited me once I stepped foot back on solid ground. The wind stirred through the branches above and all around me, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine needles that I found comfort in.

Somewhere in the distance, an owl called into the night, but its cry was swallowed by the men stomping toward our direction. They were pissed, and I wondered if my uncle was among them this time.

The ground still looked impossibly far from my feet, and I was blown away by how far I’d made it up there to begin with. Onyx went first, one deliberate step at a time. He made it look so easy, only fueling my anger at the bullshit situation I found myself in.

Not once did he look toward the forest or even down, for that matter. His broad shoulders and bulky frame nearly blocked my way down, firing the flames of my rage.

“You know,” I sassed with nothing but annoyance in my tone. “A gentleman would have offered for me to go down first.”

“A gentleman.” A quiet scoff escaped his lips before he countered, “Manners won’t catch you if you fall, Hennessy.”

My core seized from hearing him say my name again.

“Then you’d run,” he added. “And trust me.” He peered up, meeting my eyes for the first time since we started down. “My prey never gets away.”

I rolled my eyes. “Bold assumption.”

He warned, “You’ll see.”

“Eres un cojudo,” I retorted, “You’re an idiot.”

He berated, “Who's lacking manners now?”