Page 58 of Barinov

“What about me?” I whisper. “Can I come?”

“Nope,” Knox laughs. “You put her to sleep, you get to babysit.”

“Damn it,” Lex groans, adjusting the bulge in his pants as he heads out the door. “Fucking little cockblock.”

Chapter 15

ZEKE

Eden

14 days since I got my sister back.

“All actions come with consequences,” Luca’s voice slithers through the darkness as he slides the blade into my palm. My fingers grip around the cold, metal hilt.

“And this one’s yours.”

She’s standing in front of me. Her feet bare on the wooden floor. Those hazel eyes shining like amber in the flickering candlelight.

She looks like peace. Like home.

“It’s okay, honey,” she says, gently lifting her warm hand to my cheek. “It’s going to be alright.”

“No. I can’t.” I shake my head, my voice cracking as a tear breaks free. “I… I can’t do this without you.”

She pulls me close until our foreheads touch.

“What is your name?” she whispers.

My lip quivers. “Ezekiel M-Malik Blackwood.”

“Again.”

“Ezekiel Malik Blackwood.”

“Good.” She smiles, soft and proud. “Remember who you are.”

I nod, tears blurring my vision. “I’m so s-sorry. It’s all my fault.”

“Shh.” She cups my face. “None of this is your fault, sweetheart.”

I try to speak, but no words come out.

“You tell her I said hi, alright?”

I nod.

“And you tell her I love her.”

“I will,” I promise.

“You stay strong, honey. For me. For your sister.”

I nod again, tears dripping to the floor.

“Don’t let him change you,” she whispers. Her soft fingers wrap around my trembling hand, tightening it around the blade. She peers around and glares at the monster behind me. “And don’t you dare let him win.”

“No,” I whisper, my voice barely there.