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“After you left the meeting yesterday,” Bexley says, clearing his throat, “Quinctus made a decision. We all know Cade was the leader. It made sense for that responsibility to fall to Tim since he’s the eldest. But—"
“But I didn’t want it,” Tim says. “My plate is full enough as it is. Besides, I’m a follower, not a leader. Which is why I suggested Easton for the job.”
“You?” My heart drums in my chest. “You’regoing to fill Cade’s shoes?”
“It’s not like that, and you know it.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t know anything anymore. I always thought you were different, that you weren’t one of them…” My shoulders sag with defeat. “But maybe I was wrong.”
“Mia, that’s not—"
“Excuse me.” I flee from the kitchen, wincing when I hear someone’s fist slam down on the table.
I go straight to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me, and walk over to the window, staring out at nothing.
“Mia?” Sasha calls from the hall, her gentle knock making me bristle. I’m still standing there, staring, when she slips inside.
Something catches my eyes in the distance. A shadowy figure moving in the trees. I gasp, pressing my hand against the glass.
“Mia, what is it? What’s wrong?” Sasha hurries to my side.
“Do you see him?” I shudder.
“Who?” She leans in closer. “There’s nothing down there.”
“I saw him, Sasha. He was there… he was right…” My eyes shutter as I inhale a ragged breath. “I’m losing my mind.”
“You need to sleep,” she says with a hint of sadness. “Here.” She presses a small baggie at me. “One a night. Two if you’re really struggling.”
“Thank you. I feel like nothing makes sense anymore.”
“I know.” Pulling me into her arms, Sasha hugs me tightly. “You’re strong, Mia. You’re so fucking strong. You just need some time to come to terms with everything. Come on.” She guides me over to the bed. “You should try to rest.”
“You’ll stay with me?”
“Of course.” Sasha pulls back the covers and I slip inside. She frowns when I place the pill on my tongue and swallow it down.
“Mia, I said—”
“I know, but I just need it to stop, Sasha. I just need… I don’t know how they expect me to just pretend like everything is fine,” I admit, pulling the sheet up around my body.
“Because they’re assholes,” Sasha snorts. “I’m sure you’ve worked out by now that Q aren’t good people. They only care about money and power. Anything else is considered a weakness.”
“You know, when I first woke up and heard Cade was gone, I thought it meant I was free… I thought…” I trail off, realizing how foolish I sound. “I’ll never be free, will I?”
Cade might be gone, and my parents might be dead, but the brand on my chest marks me as theirs.
Sasha’s silence is all the affirmation I need. She’s bound to this life through blood, and now I’m bound to it through tradition.
There’s no escape for either of us.
But still, I can’t help but think there has to be another way. A way we can take back some power and carve our own paths.
Because if this is all there is… maybe death would have been the easier choice.
10
Bexley
