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I give him solemn nod. “That’s why he got away with it. Look at him, he’s the sort of guy you’d want to introduce to your parents, right?” I turn to face both French guys and nod to Mia to video call the number of theMasterfrom my laptop. I ignore Samuel’s snort, instead focusing on how we need the next conversation to go. “Boys, we’re now going to call your family. It’s best to only speak when we tell you to. Can you do that, or do we need to gag you?”
Xavier gives me a sad nod, his face white as a sheet, but Théo bristles like a startled animal, ignoring my annoyed scowl.
“Got claws, that one.” Samuel lets out a laugh while finishing tying Théo’s ankles to the chair. Getting up, he rubs his hands against his knees. “Alright, all set.”
“Now then, let’s start the show.” I eye both guys, then add, “Put Xavier in full view. We’ll keep the killer as our trump card for later.” When Théo lets out a rumble and bares his teeth under a vicious glare, I nod to Samuel. “Gag him, don’t want to take any risks with that one.” Samuel does just that, ignoring the muffled complaints, before he makes sure to move the chair out of view.
And then we wait. The connection buffers briefly before we get an image on the screen, makingthe tension rise like crazy. A dark-haired man comes into view, his large, blue eyes staring unblinkingly, focusing purely on Xavier. When Xavier breaks under the pressure and lets out a sob, theMasterstarts barking at him in a low, commanding tone, making the other man shiver as if he’s locked up in a freezer.
“Tell him we want to speak to theInitiator,” Austin whispers, and Xavier repeats his request in a squeaky voice. TheMasterturns away and speaks to someone off-screen in rapid French.
And then he’s gone.
Mia repositions the laptop, now putting Austin and I into view as well.
“It’s not over, sweetling,” Austin mumbles next to me. And it’s not. Because the moment we’re eye to eye with the next guy, my jaw drops. I’ve done some research on famous cults, mostly their leaders, and I know that they’re charismatic, expect obedience, and humiliate others. But I never expected thisInitiator, to be so young, and so pretty. So vulnerable, with his large, brown eyes and thick, curly lashes. His hair is styled in a side undercut, and waves of thick blond hair fall across the other side of his face. A face with full lips that have a labret piercing, matching the one that’s sticking out from his nose. His dark eyes now watch us in confusion. Briefly. Then, ever so slightly, his lips curl into an evil smirk, showing two shining teeth gems on both his incisors.
It’s quiet for a beat, as we all stare at each other for the first time. Then things get wild.
Chapter 19: Connor
Xavier starts crying and shouting. He’s losing it, his words thick with dread, obvious signs of fear that scrunch up his pretty, treacherous face with lines and sweat stains. I give Austin a nod, and he pats Xavier against the back of his head, making the young man flinch before crumbling back into his chair. Keeping my gaze as unaffected as possible, I say, “I’m Connor Donnelly of The Business. Look who I found so far from home.” I ruffle Xavier’s hair while I wait a beat for effect, then continue, “We know who you are, so let’s cut the bullshit. You’ve been killing people who belong tomyfamily and I want you to stay the fuck away from us. We’ve been to Paris, and attended one of your infamous parties. We even know some of your clients, and we could stop your events from being so popular in a heartbeat.” Okay, that’s not entirely true, but he doesn’t have to know that.
TheInitiatorlooks at me with his large eyes—giving me the brief illusion that he’s just a student who spends his free weekends playing cards at retirement homes for charity—then he turns his gaze back to Xavier. His soft voice sounds agitated while he fires his questions.
The more he speaks, more fearful Xavier becomes. He thrashes in his restraints as he begins sobbing and begging. TheInitiatorwatches the entire scene unfold right before his eyes, his lips permanently curled into a wicked grin. Then he slowly flicks his tongue over his gems, and hisses in English, “Did I ask you to go to America?”
“No,” Xavier answers on a sob. “But I wanted to come here to help him,” his voice is thick with emotion when he breathes, “wanted him to know that we love him.”
TheInitiatortilts his head to the side. “Who?”
“T-Théo,” Xavier exhales on a shudder.
“Oh yeah, that’s right,” I quip. “We found another one of yourbrothers.”
I send Théoa smile, then gesture to Samuel to move his chair next to Xavier’s, bringing him nicely into view for theInitiatorto see. While being moved,Théogives me a hateful scowl, his eyes shining like the sea. His lips are tight in a firm line and he only flickers them to mine for a brief moment, though it’s enough to grasp the insanity that’s hidden behind his beauty.
Austin positions himself behindThéo, then gives Samuel a radiant smile. “You said that this one has claws?” With one straight pull, he tiltsThéo’shead back, letting out a soft chuckle when the other man can’t hide his squeak of surprise. He lets a finger run down his jaw and despite the fact that I know that this is part of the game, I need to fight my raging jealousy. Then he looks at me. “We could use a guy like him,” he croons, his scorching stare burying in mine as he gives me a wink. “For our own pleasure maybe, sweetling?” I turn back to the camera, where theInitiator’seyes are sending daggers, any playfulness now vanished like snow in the sun. Instead, he can barely contain his fury. Austin ignores him entirely, instead looking suspiciously comfortable in this role as torturer. “Clients often request a pretty boy, right Connor? We could tie him up, cage him, put him on display, and leave him to the highest bidder.” He traces the blunt side of the knife downThéo’squivering neck, a challenge shimmering in his eyes. Knowing that he’s takenmyknife when he had me distracted, is as disturbing as it is sexy. “What do you think? Shall we keep him? Play with him some more? Let the boys take turns while the camera rolls?”
“Stop.” TheInitiatorbarks. His dark eyes are back on Xavier and this time I understand his French when he asks what the hell his brother is doing in America. Instead of Xavier, it’sThéowho replies in a hushed, teary voice. “I wanted to make you proud. You promised me that we’d move to America,Gabi. Look…” He tilts his face. “I’m here, in America, finding the perfect family for us.”
TheInitiatortsks him, but it doesn’t stopThéofrom pouring out words like heavy rainfall. “You didn’t want to send me on a mission, I know. It’s not you, it’s me. But look, I can do it. So many lonely people here, so many hearts to fill. So much love is out here, for youGabi. For you.”
TheInitiatorkeeps his eyes onThéoand opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again. Finally, he lets out a sigh in defeat. “I want my brother back.”
“Brother?” Austin taunts, playing his role fantastically. I, for once, am too baffled by this piece of information. “Aren’t these guys all yourbrothers?”
“My real brother.”
“And what do we get in return?” Austin asks.
“My brother is passionate and devoted and a little bit crazy,” theInitiator’seyes shine fondly. “But for you, I’ll make him stop. I’ll make him stop killing your people.” His lips show the slightest of a quiver.
Austin’s gaze dart to Xavier, still sobbing, though quietly at least, then back toThéo, who’s watching his brother across the screen with blazing eyes. Then he shakes his head. “Nope, no can do.” He draws the sharp tip of my knife onThéo’scollarbone, making him hiss in annoyance. Something flinches in those dark eyes across the screen, before theInitiatorcurls back a lazy smile as he cocks his face to the side. “Oh?”
“No,” Austin repeats. “That’s not the way we roll. Your guy murdered ours. So here’s what’s gonna happen: you get to choose. One goes home, one gets to die. Then, you stay the fuck away from us. And don’t be mistaken, if you screw us over, we’ll be coming for you. We know all about you—about every single one of you.”
TheInitiatorlets out a laugh, showing all his jewelry and madness. Especially when our captors chime in, eyeing us with a new boldness, or perhaps is it foolishness, as they play their smiles like instruments. “You know that nothing is forever, right,Austin?”
