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Ezekiel.
“You have to make a decision. There’s no middle ground with this. Either we move forward or we don’t but a decision has to be made.” I glanced at the faces surrounding me, gauging their willingness to get on board. Things were changing, faster than I liked, and that meant choosing sides.
I had to be careful about which side I selected. My position not only affected me but my family as well. That family had expanded over the past few years. My brother Elias, who was beside me and ready to stand by whatever decision I made, now had a wife and two children to consider. His wife was at the center of what could shift because the decision being forced was about her family’s standing within our select group.
“I need time. This is not something I can take lightly.”
Once I spoke, all eyes moved to Elias who laughed dryly before he stated, “Fuck this shit, let’s go.”
He stood and I stood next to him. If he moved I moved, but I also didn’t want things to get out of control, creating more tension between all of us.
I reminded them all, “We’re in this because of you. My brother married a Devereaux at your insistence. The decision provided what was best for the families as a whole…”
“And it seemed to have worked in his favor,” Terrence Forrester stated sarcastically. I felt Elias lock at my side so I stepped forward as a precaution only seconds before his voice sounded with a deep growl that was both threat and warning.
“Tread lightly. You’re dangerously close to disrespecting my wife. Doing so is disrespecting me which I will handle accordingly.”
I noticed the fear flicker in Forrester’s eyes and I almost laughed. They cautiously moved with both my brother and me. I didn’t give a damn about hurting feelings and my brother’s past had made him someone you didn’t cross without physical consequence. Especially not in regards to his wife.
“We’re getting off topic here. The issue is Christian.” Kenton Parker shifted the conversation, realizing things were sliding into a dangerous place.
“And his sister is married to my brother, which by default, makes her ours to protect. So again, this is not a decision we will take lightly,” I warned again. “We also don’t know all the facts.”
“Fuck the facts. A governor’s granddaughter was trafficked and the men who were caught called Christian’s name. Those are all the facts we need. Something has to be done. If we take his side, we damage the reputation The Collective has worked to build for decades.”
“You act like the others aren’t dealing in the same shit,” Elias said. They were.
Even if we personally chose not to get involved in human trade, some did. From what we knew about the Devereauxs, Christian’s father was very deeply connected. It was rumored Christian was as well but with the other families there was a don’t ask, don’t tell policy. It kept the rest of us distanced from anything immoral we didn’t want associated with our legacies. Collectively it was understood that skin trade wasn’t respected nor was it approved.
The idea that Christian was potentially involved was a discord I had with him. He’d assured me he wasn’t like his father. I would hate to learn I had been wrong for trusting his word because the lie would change how things worked between us. Christian would be tossed up as the sacrificial lamb, the best decision for those I loved. The Collective would do anything to save their asses and keep their power, money, and prestige. None of us were ever truly safe from reproach.
If they turned on Christian, the shift in acceptance created conflict Elias would have to deal with in regards to his wife and children. They were his, carried the Omari name, but still considered Devereaux by blood, thus making them targets.
“We’re well aware of the rumors. If that’s what any of the other families are involved in, they’re smart enough not to have proof. There is proof attached to the Devereaux name. A governor’s granddaughter. Do you know what kind of shitstorm this places the rest of us right in the center of?”
“Doyouknow what kind of problems you’ll have if this touches my wife or my children?” Elias asserted.
The warning was received but Parker still felt the need to add, “We personally wouldn’t touch your family.”
“You know what that means and you’re not that fucking stupid,” I made clear.
“My point is, there are eight families and with each, a person who will weigh in to make the final call. We’re only a small part of the equation.”
He spoke the truth which had me stating, “Give us a few days to sort this out. Just because Christian was named doesn’t mean he was involved.”
“The truth doesn’t fucking matter. You’re more than aware of how this works. If they want him involved, then he’s involved. As of right now, his name is the only one being discussed. You need to make a decision, Omari.” Forrester glanced at me then Elias. “Both of you.”
“You already fucking know my decisions is Elias’s and the same applies for him,” I reiterated and Elias stepped beside me, locking his arms across his chest to co-sign.
“Then the two of you better figure it out,” Parker warned. “We’re not going down with you. This isn’t the fucking Titanic.”
I didn’t like his tone or phrasing about what my brother and I had better do, so when he moved to walk away I cut off his path, lowering my chin when I spoke. “That sounded too much like a demand and a threat. Neither of which work for me.” I felt Elias move closer.
Parker acknowledged his mistake and backed down. “It wasn’t meant as either, Omari. I apologize.”
“The clarification is appreciated. I would hate to assume you and I are standing in opposition. That would be a dangerous place for you.” I smirked and he dropped his eyes and stepped around me.
