“What’s his name?” Lachlan asks.
I stand up straighter and lie through my teeth. I don’t have the energy formorerevenge, so if they assume he’s not around, it’s better for everyone.
“He’s dead now. But thanks for pretending to care.”
His brows draw together in an agonized expression for half a second, and then it quickly disappears. “I do care,” he says slowly. “We all care.”
“That’s some fucked up shit,” Otto adds. “Killing her parents and leaving her to be mauled by a pedophile for two years without doinganything,” he adds, glaring at Sterling.
“This job isn’t fair. Most of the time, you’re turning children into orphans or murdering someone’s father. Someone’s husband. Someone’sson,” Sterling growls. “I saved her life that night. I saw the fight behind her eyes–”
“What did they do? My parents, I mean?” I ask, interrupting Sterling.
He sighs before looking down at the ground. “They were bad people, Astern–”
“I didn’t ask you about their character. I asked youwhat they did,” I hiss.
“They knowingly funded a human trafficking ring. Your father was in financial ruin by the time we got to him, but before he pissed his money away, he donatedmillionsof pounds to places aimed at trafficking. He was one of over a hundred. Your family was not special, Astern. They were one stop on a very large map of criminals who exploited people for monetary gain. I won’t apologize for what we did, but I will say that I’m sorry about what happened to you.”
His words are genuine, and when he looks back up at me, I swear his eyes are a bit glassy.
“You were right. I ended up staying alive somehow. I ended up graduating with top marks and securing a job as a professional hacker.”
“Why did you apply if you knew they killed your parents?” Alex asks.
Fuck.
It’s the one question I was hoping no one would ask, but of course, why wouldn’t they?
“Revenge,” I answer.
“And do you still want revenge?” Harlow asks, stepping closer. “Because if you do, let me save you the trouble of thinking you can defeat this order. You can’t. You will be screaming into an empty void if you try. So you can either lay down your life for the Lords of Darkness, or you can lay down your life as a sacrifice–which means we’ll kill you without a moment’s notice. Your choice,” she adds casually, giving me a monstrous smile.
A cool breeze runs through the barn, and goosebumps erupt along my skin. I realize with a start that Harlow purposefully presents herself as unassuming–non-threatening. But that’s twice now that she’s reprimanded me. Twice now that she’s been scary as fuck when talking to me.
She walks up to Sterling and places a hand on his shoulder. “I should also mention that if youevertry to disarm or harm any of us again, I won’t hesitate to slit your throat.”
Swallowing, I look between her and the other Lords. They’re watching me with darkened expressions–like they’re unsure if I’m going to hurt them or back down.
Hurt them…
Or back down.
You can either lay down your life for the Lords of Darkness, or you can lay down your life as a sacrifice.
“I never actually considered staying,” I say quietly. “I don’t even know if I’d be a good Lady. I mean, look what happened to Quinn–”
“Then don’t be a Lady. Pick another name,” Harlow says, her voice hard.
I look back at the guys–at Otto’s concerned expression. At Max’s tense jaw. At Lachlan’s brooding scowl. At Alex’s furrowed brows.
I couldn’t hurt them even if I wanted to. I couldn’t hurt any of them–not anymore.
Which leaves me with one choice.
“I’ll stay.”
CHAPTER 21
