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The sun hits my eyes as I step into the thick humidity of the summer day. The city is gorgeous every other month, but August is miserable. The sweltering heat has the back of my shirt damp within minutes of walking down the steaming sidewalk. The sweat turns cold and damp against my skin as I get closer to the Village.
The gate comes into view and my stomach turns.
I hate keeping secrets from the others.
But this is my battle to win. I know if I tell the Brotherhood what I’m involved in they’ll step in, do my job for me, and clean up my mess. As easy as that would make this, as tempting as it is to let someone else take over, my pride won’t let me. And if we get the family involved?
It’s going to start a war.
And we don’t want to be the cause of drama for the Bachmans.
My sister and I have both given our whole lives to this secret society, taken the name as our own. Ashely and Beckett Bachman, ready to take on the world together, start our new lives with our new family, one that’s given us power and more wealth than we could have imagined.
It’s the comradery, the friendship, and the enduring emotional support that the Bachmans offer that’s made us thrive.
Now that we are thriving, we want to put our past in the past and truly move on.
As if sensing that I’m thinking about her, my big sis pings my phone.
“Ashely,” I answer, trying to steady my breaths as I speak into the phone. “I was just thinking about you.”
“Beckett? Everything okay?” She can always sense any tension in my voice. She knows me too damn well. She gives a little sigh. “I mean, as good as it can be under the circumstances, at least?”
“Yep.” My throat goes all tight with stress. I swallow it down.
“Two more days…” Her voice trails off.
“Yeah. It’s all good.”
“Yeah.”
We both know that it isn't really all good. Two more days until I finally put an end to this tug-of-power battle once and for all.
“Don’t be late for the event tonight,” she says. I can hear the smile in her voice. “I need you by my side.”
“I’ll be there. You know I wouldn’t miss your big announcement.”
She doesn't say much else; instead, there's a pause of understanding between us. We both know how much more is at stake now. We hang up the phone.
Now here I am, gripping the bag by my side tighter than before, knowing that soon, the thing inside will end a life.
Chapter Two
Rhett
My heart hammers against my chest, pulse pounding in my temples. It’s like the blood that’s supposed to flow effortlessly through my veins is now brewing like a storm, thunderous against my eardrums. A cold sweat breaks out across my brow.
I scoot closer to the cool wall of the closet, my bare arm pressing against the yellowed paint. The space is dark, musty from all the unwanted clothing. The air smells of unworn leather and neglect.
Now I pretend I’m one of those castaway sweaters. Cozy. Forgotten. Safe. Being unwanted sounds amazing right now.
Unfortunately, I’m psychopathically desired…
By a dangerous, unhinged man.
Spiders of fear crawl across my skin as I hear him call my name. I tug on a lock of my long, dark hair, wishing I could wrap myself in it to hide.
“Betty…” My heart hammers at his nickname for me.
