Hayes’s eyes widen a bit, and I wonder if he’s ever been threatened by Benedict like that.
“Of course,” he says, his voice softer. He’s no longer joking around.
Benedict lets him go, marching over to me and taking my hand protectively. Hayes rubs his neck and watches us.
“I’m sorry, blondie.”
“Thank you,” I respond, standing up straighter and then removing my mask.
“Well, since your hot friend isn’t here, I guess I’ll go find someone that looks like her,” Hayes says, staggering to the door.
“Zoey would never give you the time of day,” I sneer. “She hates tattoos, for one.”
He tilts his head slightly, his eyes twinkling. “Is that so? I bet I could change her mind.” And then he marches out of the door, leaving me to spin around to face Benedict.
“What plan?” I ask impatiently, sitting on the couch.
Benedict sighs, walking over to one of the cabinets and pulls two bottled waters out. He hands one to me as he sits, spreading his legs wide. He removes his mask and cloak, revealing a plain, white button-up.
“The Brotherhood is powerful, Evelyn. We have over a hundred thousand members worldwide across the various chapters—presidents, royalty, athletes, celebrities. They are not the Catholic church, but they have just as much sway. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I’m not sure I want to,” I mumble, sipping my water.
“There are things happening beneath the facade, beneath the surface of the meetings. Sometimesatthe meetings—if you’re invited.”
“Like what?” I ask, my blood chilling.
He grimaces. “Of all people, you should know.”
“And I’m guessing you…” I trail off. “You helped me, so I know you’re a good guy, Benedict.” He watches me, nostrils flared, and for a split second I second guess myself—I second guess him.
If you think I couldn’t do the things he did, you don’t know me very well.
“I get to as many of them as I can. Save as many as I can, however I can. Other Directors are lazy when they talk to me. They don’t expect me to snitch. They don’t expect me to feed everything to Hayes, who has connections...” He jerks his jaw at the doorway Hayes left through.
I grit my teeth, sitting up straighter as I cross my arms. I thought maybe I knew him, but this man’s soul is beyond comprehension.He saves as many as he can.He has continued the fight. And perhaps it’s my time to continue that fight as well. “I want to help you.”
He watches me with an apprehensive stare, his eyes roving over my face. I’m not sure of the gritty details, but I know enough about him now, and I know that whatever it is, I want to help.
Like he helped me.
“Okay,” he concedes, his expression resigned.
“Whatever it is, I can handle it.”
“I was never worried about youhandlingit, Evelyn. I have never once doubted your courage.”
Goosebumps erupt across my skin. “Courage? Or stupidity?”
His smile tugs to the side. “It depends. Walking on train tracks? Stupidity. Teetering on the edge of a bridge? Stupidity. What you did to my father in Notre Dame?” He pauses. “Courage,” he whispers, his face full of some sort of emotion I can’t quire decipher.
“I worry he turned me into a psychopath,” I blurt. “I never did things like that before him. I worry he left some of himself inside of me…” I trail off. “I like things I shouldn’t like. The things that should scare me? They don’t. Not after what happened to me.”
He reaches out and holds my chin up with hand. “I don’t fear your madness. I have seen beyond what this life has done to you, Evelyn Snow.”
“Maybe you should fear me.” I lift my hooded eyes to his, and I see his breathing hitch slightly.
“You keep trying to push me away, but I will never give up. Do you understand that? You didn’t need someone to save you, because you saved yourself. And you’re still out for blood. So let me meet you on the battlefield.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a knife. “Let me prove my dedication to you.”
