Page 38 of Fractured Memories

I hadn’t fully planned on telling them when we came to this meeting. But I’ve decided that the information has become necessary for them to know, if only so that we can make a plan to actually find the pricks. Unfortunately, they need all the facts for that. It’s not like the rebels don’t know I’ve stolen her away or where I would have brought her, so I don’t need it to be a secret.

As I watch Miles blink in surprise and then smile, something stirs in my gut—some suspicion I’m trying to place. Then, my eyes slide to Conor, who is staring at me slightly slack-jawed, and that feeling only grows. I expected them to be shocked by the news, but my instincts are telling me that neither reaction is what it should be.

“Well, that is great news.” Miles looks thrilled for me, but he’s always been a great face for the politics of the city—a liar with a smile. Right now is only reminding me of that.

Shifting forward, I pin the other man with my stare. “It is, isn’t it, Conor?”

His name seems to shake him out of his thoughts. He masks the shock in his expression fast, nodding. “Of course it is. Sorry. I was just surprised that you organized the extraction without us knowing.”

That is why his surprise set off warnings in my mind. It wasn’t the news that caught him off guard; it was how easily I conducted a raid without their knowledge. Like he thinks I’m fucking useless without them.

I shrug a shoulder. “You handle politics. I handle force. This was a situation that needed force.”

He nods, and Miles looks between the two of us, clearly not sure about my questioning. “I had assumed you were still looking for her since the guards have been doing so many sweeps.”

“Because I fully intend on hunting down every last rebel and killing them for what they did.” For a long time, I couldn’t be bothered with the petty group that barely affected me. They could live in the valley, breathe the toxic air, and refuse to be a part of our society if they wanted.

But then they fucked up by taking Eden.

Conor purses his lips. “I hadn’t realized,” is all he says. He’s perfectly composed now, and between his quick recovery and Miles’s pleased expression, I feel less than cooperative when it comes to them.

I thought letting them know Eden was safe would allow me to push to set the damn city on fire again—the only important people are up here—but now I’m seeing my mistake. They are going to use this against me. They are happy because of my lack of leverage.

“We understand wanting to put an end to that unsavory group,” Miles cuts in with a wrinkle of his nose. “But, especially with the wonderful news of Eden having been found, I think it’s important we put our resources to better use.”

I sink back in my chair as Miles launches into a long-winded speech about how so many people at the lower elevations are suffering from the lack of masks and disease from living in the fumes. How our resources need to go to more clinics and research to stop the increasing death toll and decline in the birth rate. I fucking knew it.

It’s the same thing he constantly reminds us of. He’ll use his diplomatic smile—that makes me contemplate putting a bullet through his teeth—and Conor will make too many demands. Lochlan will mediate a compromise because our entire focus can’t be on the lower class. We have to keep them working, of course, but our resources have to support the entire city, not just the lower class.

I’m not so sick I revel in the suffering of everyone, even if I have that reputation. I’m just heartless enough that I don’t truly give a fuck. If my whiskey is made, my weapons are produced, and violence is thriving, I’m content. Bettering the life of everyone else isn’t a concern of mine when I’m more worried about keeping the cages packed and the upper class high.

Not to say that even I don’t have my limits. There’s a reason that cage fighters have age restrictions, every child receives rations regardless of their class, and I let Miles set up these clinics for those most in need of it.

I’m not a complete monster.

Just….mostly one.

Instead of listening to him drone on, I let my eyes move to the massive windows behind Miles and stare out at my house. Mika said I need to try again with Eden, but I don’t know how to keep doing that. I refuse to admit her rejection is as painful as a blade, and while I like the way she’s always made me work for everything in our relationship, the distance I’ve been forced to keep is more akin to slow torture than the hot as fuck tension that’s always laced our interactions.

Maybe I need to stop storming off when I get pissed. That never was my reaction before when she pushed me. Maybe if I just stoke her anger, I’ll see a glimpse of my girl.

The idea might have some merit, and given my lack of options, I’m considering actually going home after this and provoking my wife. It’s always worked before.

“Kieran.”

I blink, not allowing my body to startle. Lazily, I tip my head toward Rohan, noticing that Miles and Conor are gone. I’d say that my problems with Eden have taken a toll on my concentration, but those two could bore a fucking rock.

“Yes?” I drawl.

He rolls his brown eyes. “Are you staying here? Looking for a new place to crash now that you’ve depleted most of my whiskey.”

I snort as I stand. “Don’t act like I don’t know you have two more stashes out of sight, Ro. I’ve cut it in half at best.”

“And I’m not giving you the chance to drain it all before my next case is ready.” He turns away, starting toward the door. “We’re going to your house for a drink.”

My footsteps falter. “My house?”

“Yes,” Rohan barks, not even looking back.