Page 70 of Relapse

“When it comes down to it, you’ll have to prove yourself again.”

Jace leaned low so that his mouth was nearly pressing against my ear.

“And if you choose anyone but this family, I’ll kill you and that fucking drug-addicted waste of space!”

An unnatural sound tore from my throat as I lurched forward, fingers clawing for the edge of the desk to pull myself upright—ready to fight. I barely made it halfway to stand before Jace’s hand slammed me back down, the weight of his body pressing onto my neck through his iron grip. My cheek met the cool wood of the desk and I winced.

“You just…failed the first test.”

Rapidly, the room filled with the smell of my skin burning, as the flame from Jace’s cigar was pressed into the back of my neck. I screamed before I could control it, my body naturally attempting to thrash away from the pain.

It was futile.

“When we’re done with you, you’ll wish you were dead. You’ll either be well trained and humbled, or you’ll be on your way to dig your own grave.”

I clutched onto the desk as the pain passed in torrents. Soon the spot on my neck was numb, the end of the cigar burnt out finally, the skin surely blackened in response.

“Maybe I’ll cut off each one of your fingers. Maybe, we’ll let Noah watch.”

I grit my teeth together, saying nothing.

“You’re not expendable. You think you are. But you aren’t. You will accept punishment. You will reform. You will take the lead on this operation here.”

The pressure of Jace’s hand left the back of my neck, and I could feel him stand once again. I didn’t move as he finished his sentence.

“And you will never talk to that Hansen again.”

A pause.

“Do you understand me?”

My jaw locked and I didn’t answer. It wasn’t because I didn’t understand his demands, but I was trying to figure out if I should obey them, or destroy everything. I could set the whole estate on fire and lock him inside. Watching him and our legacy burn to the ground.

But he had leverage over me now. He had threatened Noah. The one thing in my life I couldn’t afford to lose.

“Yes sir,” I answered, understanding he would settle with nothing less. My gaze cut upwards to him, meeting his fierce eyes with my own.

Jace stared, eyes scanning over me, analyzing. He was deciding whether or not that answer would suffice.

“I don’t know if I believe you,” he whispered darkly. The flicking of his lighter filled my ears. He took out a new cigar, touching the end to the flame until it glowed red.

I braced myself against the table for what was to come, feeling Jace brushing the hair off of the nape of my neck so he could examine his handiwork. I didn’t move. I knew better. I had to sell the groveling.

I knew above all else, I had to live for Noah. Even if I couldn’t be with him—I would die before I allowed him to be hurt worse than he already had. I had to put myself in a position where I could protect him if I needed to.

And I couldn’t do that dead. At least, I wasn’t sure if I could.

All I knew was, if it came down to it—my life or Noah’s—the choice would be simple.

I’d leave this world a thousand times before I let Noah leave it.

He, above anyone, deserved a second chance.

And I was determined for him to have it.

Chapter eighteen

The Terrace