I push my issues aside and keep going.
“He has my mother’s ashes,” I admit, tears stinging my eyes. “I need them to lay her to rest properly.”
Here I sit, being comforted by the so-called enemy while my mother still doesn’t have a blessed resting place. She could be in a bag in my father’s attic for all I know.
It doesn’t feel right, yet I can’t make myself move.
NINETEEN
Donovan
“I’ll get your mother’s ashes,” I vow.
“How?” Astra asks. I hate the way her voice so clearly tells that she doesn’t believe me.
“I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.”
I feel a subtle vibration of rage slithering through my veins. I snuff it out before Astra can grab hold of it. I’m going to have to be more careful around her.
“I need you to keep this new thing between us for now,” I say. I don’t trust many people, and I’d hate for it to get out that Astra has natural powers, especially when she doesn’t know how to control them yet. If I’m going to have a leg up getting to her father, I’m going to need him to be in the dark about everything I might have to my advantage.
“Okay,” she responds hesitantly. “What about Fabien? Do you think it might help with the whole curse thing if he knew?”
It hits me how alone Astra probably feels. She doesn’t have anyone, and I suspect the people she does have, she’s probably starting to question their loyalty. If I can give her one thing, maybe it’s a friend she can trust.
“You can tell Fabien,” I say.
“Thank you,” she whispers as she turns her head and kisses the underside of my jaw. My lips twitch to smile. I like her lips on me too much, even if it’s only for the sweetest of kisses.
“Your father nearly killed one of my men with that stuff,” I tell her as the vial containing the bright green liquid captures my attention once again. I don’t want it here, but I also don’t want it out of my sight. The anger is starting to surface again. I know she can feel it when she puts a cool hand over my heart.
“What is it?” she asks.
“Liko.” She lets out a little gasp as if it automatically registers. “You know of it?”
“Only from studies. From the likois plant, right?” I hum my affirmation. I don’t know much about it either, so I can’t be of any help beyond that. “The aunts didn’t have any on the property because it’s so deadly.”
“Sonny was lucky it was diluted and that he spit most of it out. I was there,” I explain to her. I’m not holding back anymore. “So was your father. And I didn’t have any proof until now that it was him. He’s trying to get to me. Trying to take me out.”
“I hate him,” she whispers brokenly. “I wish… I wish…”
“Shhh,” I say as I smooth a hand over her hair, but somehow, I resist the urge to place a kiss against the top of her head.
“I almost poisoned you with that.”
With a gentle finger under her chin, I tilt her head until she holds my gaze.
“But you didn’t. You chose to fuck me instead.” I let my lips quirk up into a sinister smirk.
For a moment, she looks flustered. I bet she’s lost in the memories of that night. That look dies quickly, though, and the world somehow dims around me.
“Why don’t you take him out before he destroys you?” She clears her throat as if she’s not sure why she said that. “I mean, before he hurts anyone else.”
“I wish I could, Sweet Beauty.” I can’t stop myself as my lips press against the top of her head. Then I run my hand overher hair as if I could erase the previous action. Astra is turning me into…something. Whether that is a good or a bad thing, well, I haven’t fully made up my mind yet. “But your father is untouchable. He has some kind of protection. I haven’t figured out how or what it is, but I know those who have tried to harm him end up… well, to put it bluntly, they lose their mind, and within weeks, they are dead.”
I keep the gruesome details to myself. I think I’ve painted enough of a picture for her to understand.
She gasps as she lifts her head to look at me. I’m not lying, and I know she can see the truth of my words in my eyes.
