Fred hesitated. Then dropped the match. “Her dad didn’t just abuse her. Bash,yourfather, was grooming her too. Since she was a kid.”
My blood ran cold.
“What the fuck did you say?”
“There’s a journal in her office. Different handwriting. Not hers. We don’t know who wrote it, but it’s… bad.”
“And you were just never going to tell me?”
“It’s not our story to tell,” Ryan hissed. “But with Thanksgiving break coming… maybe it’s time she talks to her mom. And hersister.”
“Sister?” The word tastes like rust.
“Yeah. Gaia.”
Fuck.Gaia.
How the hell did I miss that?
They don’t look alike. Didn’t act like it either. But now… now everything is shifting into focus.
How many others are there?
How many children did the Elder Prime scatter like rot?
I grit my teeth. “Read them all. Every word. I want nothing left behind. Not one fucking secret. Got it?”
Fred nods. “If it helps take Bash down, I’m in.”
“That’s all I ask,” I mutter.
Ryan rolls her eyes. “Yeah, whatever. I still don’t like it.”
“I don’t care.”
That’s when Gage steps into the room like he’s been summoned by the devil himself.
He clears his throat. “Niko has new information on your father.”
Of course he does.
“And?”
“There’s something else,” Gage says, avoiding my stare like it burns. “What do we do about Colt and Valentina? You know they’ll strike first.”
I don’t hesitate.
“I’mgladyou brought that up,” I say slowly, each word coated in poison. “Because tonight… Devils’ business takes priority.”
My gaze locks on his.
And I tilt my head.
“Are you in, Gage?”
He blinks once. Then nods.
Good.
