Page 5 of Relapse

“Should be easy enough,” I quipped with a scowl.

He didn’t like my swift response. I saw it in the squinting of his eyes.

“Don’t be too cocky. Damian isn’t blissfully unaware like that other one—the druggie. He will see you coming if he recognizes you. Don’t allow him to analyze you for too long.”

I had to fight not to curl my lip at his mention of Noah. But blissfully unaware might not have been a bad way to describe him. Noah had the survival instincts of a moth in a room of bright lights and candles. He quite literally sought out danger for the fun of it. Keeping him far from harm’s way was going to be tricky enough, let alone ensuring he steered clear of what I actually needed to do.

One thing was certain, I knew heading into this evening that I’d be protecting Noah at all costs. Even if that meant drawing the line in the sand with Jace and my family.

There wasn’t really another choice in my mind.

The Hansen bodyguards treated us with the utmost respect upon our arrival. There were two of them at the door, and I mentally noted that for later. It was important to outline my escape route and potential obstacles for when I’d need to leave the estate. I figured the easiest way out after completing the deed would be to go back the way I came, as I noticed people entered and exited freely as they pleased without much fuss from the security. Some would leave the main hall into this garden area outside, a fenced area with a gazebo in the middle. I remembered Noah’s mom watering plants out there when we were children. The day I walked him home, she had been so busy tending to her roses, she hadn’t even acknowledged us as we approached.

Hadn’t even seen him leave the property.

I didn’t think about it much back then—I was just a kid myself after all—but Noah was often on his own, wandering the streets, or the wooded areas outside his house. Alone, even at such a young age. It pained me to consider why, now that I knew what he actually endured.

Jace and I rounded the corner inside of the estate, coming to stop outside of the grand double door entry to the main dancing hall. The security was really just there for show when I thought about it. There were no metal detectors, no patting us down of any kind.

Fools. I guess they thought the high class status of the party would prevent violence. Rich people, always needing to save face and look sweet for the headlines. I guess when I really considered it, Jace was right. This would be the perfect time to commit the crime. Smack in the middle of an unsupervised celebration where everyone was supposed to break bread with each other.

“Jace and Silas Thorne!” The announcer at the doorway shouted and I cringed. The last thing I wanted was to be called out to the room. Jace didn’t seem to mind. He threw his head back with laughter and gave a few little waves about the grand hall leading into the ball room. I followed suit, dipping my head and raising a hand to some of the guests. People stopped to stare and clap. I noticed that several of the Thorne family were already in attendance. A few people came up to Jace immediately, and he began to converse as though party going was his speciality.

In the midst of his rather effortless chatter to other guests, something else caught my attention. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him—the man of the hour—David Hansen.

He was making a beeline straight for us, and spectators parted ways like the Red Sea to allow him through. Attention was on us, and all the guests focused intently on the impending interaction between families.

I tried to center myself despite the rise in my blood pressure. I knew that I’d be seeing David at this event today. Hell, it was his party, but… I hadn’t been ready for the rage that surfaced so quickly at the sight of him. His confident stride. His fake plaster of a smile.

Knowing he had hurt Noah and just walked around without a care in the world, sent a tremor of pure, unfiltered fury through my entire body. My jaw clenched on instinct, and I quickly balled my hands into fists at my sides.

I wanted to kill him, right here, in front of all his friends and family. Seeing the looks on their faces would be worth the time spent in prison.

Instead, I’d have to shake his hand. The same filthy hand that held Noah down while he raped him. The same hand that scarred his body and his mind.

I took an unsteady breath. I knew who I was going to take out today. But I had to wait. I had to be patient. It wasn’t the right time.

“Jace,” David said with emphasis as he approached, reaching to embrace my uncle like they were fast friends. “I’m glad you were able to make it.”

“Chief Hansen, we wouldn’t miss it. Thank you and your beautiful wife for the invitation. The party is just grand—extraordinary work here. And congratulations on the trafficking case. Major props.”

I watched in silence, impressed by how smoothly Jace handled this conversation. He was quite literally plotting to destroy David Hansen’s entire legacy by killing his favorite son and still embraced him as though they were old friends reunited.

At his ass kissing, David shrugged and chuckled. “It was nothing. Really. The important thing is that those innocent lives were spared. That’s all I care about—helping those in need.”

I couldn’t hide my scoff of disdain. This motherfucker.

David’s eyes ricocheted to me. I guessed he heard the sound.

“And who do we have here?” he asked with a grin. “Could that be young Silas?”

Jace side eyed me, and this told me it was time to speak up.

“Sir,” I confirmed with a nod, extending my hand for a shake. David took it, and I considered how badly I needed to keep that hand for the future or if I should just cut it off after having to interact with him so formally.

“Almost thought that was Serenity with all that long hair,” David snickered, finally releasing me, and Jace laughed as though they were sharing the funniest inside joke.

Your son sure likes pulling it, my thoughts growled out sinisterly.