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Just as they’re about to leave, Liam calls, “You should take some of our guards and use one of our vehicles. If we’re being watched, it’ll look better if people think you’re still here.”
Chapter 20
Cia
I’mfeelingsicktomy stomach. My palms are clammy, and a shiver of foreboding runs down my spine. I slap my hand over my mouth, unable to form words as I look at the document on Kai’s computer. A quick glance at each of my men is all it takes to confirm their disbelief and confusion.
“But this…” Since I still can’t find the words to describe what I’m thinking, I stop talking.
“Yeah.” Gus unhelpfully supplies in a steadfast tone.
Liam runs a hand through his hair, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “So this means—”
Kai cuts him off. “I guess there’s only one question that matters.”
My husband’s words clear the haze from my brain. “M-matters?” I stutter, confused.
Gesturing to the list of names, he says, “Do you trust Abel or not?”
It’s a question I’ve asked myself so many times since the attack I’ve lost count. Before we even discovered the SD-card, I’ve pondered if it’s a trap. While Gus is sure Abel is our betrayer, I’m not convinced. As much as I hate to admit it—which, for the record, is a lot—I can’t shake the feeling that Abel’s done everything with the best intention.
The years of training are coming in handy, allowing me to take the facts in like I’m nothing more than an observer, rather than one of the key players. Sure, there are numerous ways Abel has fucked up. And I don’t much care for the stunt he and Nikolaos pulled with my birth control. But I can’t stop feeling like it had to be one of those situations that called for drastic measures.
I sigh audibly and pinch the bridge of my nose. One day I’ll stop making excuses for people. One day I’ll no longer allow people to pull shit like this. However, that day isn’t today, and dwelling on it isn’t going to help anything. The truth is that I might never know the real reason for a lot of the things my dad, Nikolaos, and Abel did, but I refuse to let it haunt me.
“I trust Abel,” I declare. When each of my men’s heads turn to glare at me with varying levels of disbelief, I explain my thoughts. “It doesn’t have to make sense to be true.” Looking at Gus, I ask, “Can you honestly say you think Abel was working against us? After everything we’ve seen and done, do you truly believe he was playing us?”
Gus takes so long to answer I start to fidget.
“No,” he finally admits.
Liam lets out a mirthless chuckle. “Are you willing to stake your life on that belief?”
Although I want to snap at him for asking, I can’t bring myself to do that. Because not only is it a fair thing to ask, the question is needed to make sure we all fully understand the consequences.
If I’m wrong, I’m under no illusion of what will happen. We will die at the hand of the Drákon Tribunal.
“Okay, let’s back up here.” I smile as Kai uses his professor’s voice. “This is a list of the people Abel trusts and vouches for within Drákon Enterprises.”
I nod.
“And because you trust Abel, you’re going to trust the list.”
I nod again.
Liam scoffs. “I’m sorry, agápi. But have you fucking lost it? You’re going to blindly trust the man who tampered with your birth control? The same fucking man who’s known all of this for… well, I don’t know how fucking long. But for a long ass time, without helping you out.”
I know this will never make sense to Liam. Despite the many years at my side, he didn’t grow up like this. Hell, I didn’t—not really. The importance of our world and your place in it has been drilled into Gus and Kai since they could walk. Me, I was spared for the most part. Maybe spared is the wrong word, because I did get trained and prepared in many ways, just not in the ones that matter now.
“Liam—”
Shooting out of his chair, he roars, “Don’t fucking Liam me. This is serious, Acacia. It’s not a game or another trial you have to pass.”
“Isn’t it?” Gus asks. He stands next to me, his hand running soothingly down my back. “What happens if we don’t pass?”
I gulp and try to hide my shaking hands. By the sounds of it, Gus has caught on to how massive this is. It’s not just a matter of us. Technically, we’re safe as long as Kai declares all of us his, or however the hell he needs to word it. Regardless, we’re only one pebble of the mountain of problems.
“Failing isn’t an option.” I lick my lips and straighten my back. “We have to assume that the Tribunal knows about Morgana. That’s the only reason they would take her, and—”
