AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Enlightening.”
Chapter 51
We make it back to our renovated suite on the island, and it feels like everything is coming full circle. This is where we met her. This is where everything changed. So it feels right that this is where it should all end.
My anxiety has never been higher as I stand here, staring at Evie. She’s laughing with Lev, and he has such a carefree smile on his face. Alexi is sitting at a desk with Havoc talking strategy. But I have a job to do.
I never imagined this is how things would end, but I have to do what’s right. I can’t just be the goofy one who takes nothingseriously. Sometimes, I have to be the one that protects them, even when they don’t know that’s what they need.
It’s a horrible feeling to think that in order to save your family you might have to betray them. No one should have to do what I’m about to do, but no one left me any choice in the matter.
I approach Evie, and her storm-cloud eyes meet mine with hope written in them. Staring at her, I decide to let this moment last a little longer. Just a little longer withher. Just one more moment where I can pretend that everything here isn’t my fault.
Then, just as quickly as someone snapping their finger, it vanishes as my phone vibrates in my pocket.
“Would you come with me, Little Shadow?”
My voice is scratchy, and I hate every damn word. But when I hear my phone ping with a message, I know it’s time.
“Of course.” She links her hand with mine as we walk out the door and down the path. We ran here so many times before.
So many mornings and evenings were spent on this trail with her and Lev. I can’t really run for shit, not distance-wise like Evie and Lev can, but I still tried because I believed they were worth it.
“Where are we going?” Evie asks, her voice wary.
It takes everything in me not to bite back at her, to be bitter about this situation. After that text, my mood turns sour at being reminded of why I'm doing this. Because it's actually all her fault. Everyone is in danger because of her.
But I don’t do that because that’s not me, and I can keep playing my part a little longer. So I throw her a fake smile and pat her hand wrapped around my arm.
“Just to the airstrip.”
“Oh,” she says cheerfully. “Did you forget something on the plane?”
I don’t answer her because I don’t want to lie. In fact, I don’t even want to look at her. As soon as we make it through the trees at the end of the path that leads to the runway, there they are.
Evie gasps when she spots them, turning to flee, but I squeeze her hand and turn her around while pinning her wrists behind her back.
“Damien?” Her voice shakes and my grip tightens in anger because this isn’t how things were supposed to go. She forced my hand here.
I swallow as I push her forward. To her credit, she doesn’t put up much of a fight. I must have been able to shock her enough.
“Hello, Son.” Rostya stares at me with glee written all over his face as Adrik aims a gun at Evie.
“Get her on the helicopter.”
Evie twists in my hold then, spinning free to glare at me with tears in her eyes. It takes everything in me not to pull her back and run, but I can’t. I have to protect my family, and this is the only way.
“How could you?” she asks as she lets the first tear fall. Her voice is so strong, so determined. I have to lock my jaw to stop myself from yelling.
“You asked me to protect them,” I say, unable to keep eye contact because it hurts too damn bad.
Adrik pulls her arms behind her back while she glares daggers at me.
“How does it feel, Little Warrior, to be betrayed by the ones you thought loved you?”
She shakes her head, pulling at her bindings now secured around her wrists.
“Damien, what’s going on?” I can’t look at her as I answer, so instead I focus on the venomous, vile creature next to her. My father.
