“I’m fine.” My voice betrays me as it cracks from the constriction in my throat. I attempt to swallow the burn down but my airway closes even further.
“You aren’t and that’s okay. I am here. Let it out.”
“St-op being so nice!” I scream.
“Shhh, I’m here.” He whispers, letting his fingers caress my scalp.
A sob breaks free and I can no longer contain these feelings. I don’t know if it’s with relief or despair but I let them flow.
33
Samuel
“Mr. Donovan, with all due respect, I sympathize with your loss. I really and truly do. But…we do need to get back to prioritizing the people of Everton. Our fellow members in this community are stillhere.”
I’ve been listening to the bullshit spew from this man’s lips for the past week.
Mr. Crawson was one of my father’s top men, always by his side. He didn’t take too kindly when I stepped into my protégé role. He even went as far as to meet with my father about not allowing me my fucking birth right.
I never forgot what he said to my father,“Sir, I see the devil in your boy’s eyes.”
I made sure that the minute I was in full control, to strip him of everything he fucking has. His Everton status in the communitywas lowered, his home transferred. I made sure he’d never forget.
I’d show him what the devil has in store for him.
“The people need you, Mr. Donovan. Your father would want you to step up in this role, to ensure your people's peace of mind. They are worried. They might not say it out loud, but they are.”
Did he think I didn’t know I was falling apart from the absence of Eden? That I was trying my fucking best to keep it all together? Did he think I was blind to the way my mind and body didn't let me sleep or eat while she was still out there? Out of Everton with devil knows who?
I should’ve taken this piece of trash out completely. Here he was, questioning my authority once again. Comparing me to my fucking father.
“Withalldue respect, Mr. Crawson, I think I know how to take care ofmycommunity. The Divine has trustedmewith the legacy and blessed me with the role of the Vessel. Just like they have for the men in my family for many centuries now.” I stand, pushing my chair behind me and stepping around my desk to guide him out of my office, out of my face. He mirrored my actions, following me.
“I know all about your family’s history with the Divine, but with your actions lately–” I don’t let him insult me again as I grip his airway in my hand. I watch his eyes widen in horror, hands flying to his neck when I don’t ease my grip as I pull him closer to me.
“I suggest you think really hard about what’s about to come out of that mouth of yours. I wouldn’t want you to say something you’d regret.” I lift him off the ground just enough so that he’s forced to balance on his tiptoes, his hands still trying to free my grip. “Remember the Divine is watching, Mr. Crawson.” My eyes burrow into his skull as I think about how easy it would be to snap this old man’s neck once and for all. I could watch the life drain from his fucking eyes, his body folding onto the floor like the trash he was. A grin swept over my face as I pictured it.
The door swings open next to us with more force than ever before, “Get. The. Fuck. Out.” I bark out, keeping my eyes on Mr. Crawson, struggling in my hold.
“Mr. Donovan!” The urgency in Joshua’s voice snaps me from my tunnel vision, “I think we have a lead, sir.”
My ears begin to ring, my mind tingles at his words.I let go of Mr. Crawson and he lands on the ground with a loud thump, but I don’t give him any mind.
“Show me,” is all I say before I follow him out of the room. The only thing on my mind is how I am one step closer to finding her.
Eden.
34
Kameron
“I know, I know.” I say as I hold Elliott in my arms, brushing my fingers through her hair and trying but failing to make her pain go away.
How could I really know though? She just saw her past fall into pieces right in front of her. She had no clue what was in store for her. She didn’t realize it wasn't some fairytale past where she was happy, with loving parents who cared about her the way she wanted to be cared for. There was no protecting mother. No one keeping her safe from the evils of the world.
No, she was just as traumatized inthatlife as she was in Everton. And while yes, she was blindsided with the Donovans keeping everything in the dark until her fuck of a brother took over. At least before looking through those files, she didn’t remember any of it. She didn’t know any of the fucked up shit theperson who was supposed to love her most in the world let her go through.
“You don’t know though.” Her voice cracks as she sits up straight, out of my hold. “You have no clue.”
