Page 68 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘Seth, tell him the truth,’ Kade begs, no need to put on an act. He can practically taste his own desperation to make Seth co-operate.

Kade doesn’t want to see him die.

Lachlan glances over at Kade but says nothing.

Seth shudders.

He keeps his eyes tightly closed.

‘I hired them,’ he admits tonelessly.

‘What was the objective?’

‘To get the freak out of here.’

‘Taken where?’

‘Sell him to fucking Helixx or something.’

‘Did you contact Helixx?’

‘No. I was going to once I had him.’

That seems to satisfy Riley, who continues his slow walk around Seth.

‘Who were the group you hired?’

‘Professionals.’

‘What outfit?’

‘None. Just guns for hire.’

‘People were hurt,’ Riley points out. ‘Our people.’

‘They were ordered n-not to kill anyone, but it had to look realistic.’

‘You didn’t mind if Kade was hurt, right?’ Seth’s conflict shows in a tight grimace before he admits it with a nod. ‘And me.’

‘I wanted you to look weak,’ Seth admits, his voice ragged.

‘Why?’

‘Because you are weak.’

‘I’m weak?’ Riley echoes curiously, otherwise unmoved.

‘Y-you let him stay here. Let him… walk around. You’re scared because you can’t kill him. You’re playing nice while my brother is ashes. Always hiding away behind Kade. You’re a fucking coward, Riley Harker, and you needed this wake-up call.’

‘And you’re my sunrise cockerel, are you?’

‘Canary in a coal mine, more like.’

‘How long were you planning this?’

‘I made the call yesterday.’

‘Who helped you?’