Page 80 of The Lies That Shatter
Ryleigh puts her hands firmly on her hips as she cocks one, rolling her eyes before glaring at our brother. “I am part of this family too, Liam. I want to help.”
“You’re not old enough,” he snaps, grasping at straws as she looks more murderous.
“I’m practically the same age as Shane, and he’s allowed. This is so fucking sexist. It’s because I’m a girl,” she yells, sounding more like a petulant teenager than I think she intended.
Bree, seeing Liam is close to ripping his own hair out, steps in. “It’s not because you’re a girl, Ry. It’s because you’re the baby of the family. We all know you can handle yourself, but we don’t want you to have to.
“I know you think you want to be part of this life, but we want you to have the option for more. You promised you would finish university. If you still want to be part of all this when you’ve finished your education, I will personally find a job for you, but until then, we want you to live as normal a life as possible. Don’t grow up before you have to.”
Shane takes hold of Ryleigh’s hand when he sees she’s about to argue back, cutting her off. “I was forced into this life, Ry. I wasn’t given any choice in the matter, and as a result, I’ve seenand done things that people our age would have nightmares about.
“You have a choice, and while I would never tell you what to do, I am going to ask you to think it through properly. I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that if I were given a choice in all this, I would have chosen to live a normal life as Shane…with you.
“I crave a world without lies and danger. Where I get to wake up every morning to your face, rather than a text because it’s too dangerous to see you. I want to be able to go on dates, to take you places, and hold your hand. I want the world to know that I choose you, Little Rebel. And more than anything, I want to know that I’m not putting your life in danger by choosing you. I don’t get to make those choices, but you do. So, I’m begging you, choose normality for as long as you can, as once you go down this road, there’s no going back.”
A silent tear trickles down Ryleigh’s cheek, and out of the corner of my eye, I’m sure I catch Red wiping at her eyes. The truth of Shane’s words hit hard. We were all forced into this life, in one way or another. None of us really chose this, and the more I think about it, the more I wonder what my life would look like if I had made a different choice all those years ago.
What if, when we were sixteen, instead of taking my first job with my dad—whilst desperately seeking his approval—I told him to fuck it. What if I left the Family behind and chose Mac? I would have gone to prom with her. Maybe we’d have gone to college together.
Instead of me spending the last eleven years lonely and miserable, whilst still searching for praise from a man I don’t think is capable of giving it, I could have been living a normal life…with McKenna. And if that thought isn’t the biggest fucking kick in the balls I’ve ever received, I don’t know what is.
“Okay, I will sit this out, for now. But I swear to you, Shane, if you get yourself killed, I will bring you back just so that I can yell at you. I want that life together that you promised me,” Ryleigh says, as she pulls Shane into a kiss.
Kellan’s loud voice cuts through the room, grabbing everyone’s attention. “The meeting will go live in twenty seconds. Can we get seated, so I can test the mics quickly, please?”
With that, everyone grabs their seats, and Ryleigh closes the door on her way out. When it’s my turn to test the mic in front of me, I use it to ask the question that’s been milling around my head for the last couple of hours, but I’ve been too distracted to address.
“Where’s Evan?”
Normally, with family things like this, we all jump in for them. I’m shocked he’s not here. Desmond replies from in the corner near Kel. “He’s on his way here now. There were a few things he needed to wrap up at home before he could leave. The helicopter left just over an hour ago, so he should be here soon.”
Before we can ask any more questions, Kellan lets us know the meeting is going live, and one by one, lots of different faces flick onto our screens, as more and more people join the meeting. Some are just single faces, whereas others have several people all leaning around one camera. There are some groups that don’t have one set leader, they make decisions like a democracy, so with those, we invited everyone to be present.
When we’re sure all the attendees are present, and Bree has said hello to everyone, she straightens in her seat, ready to get to the point of the meeting. Everyone has a healthy look of uncertainty on their faces, but I hope they will be open enough to hear what she has to say.
Kian and Liam are by her side, their backs completely straight as they watch her take charge. “Thank you all for joining us inthis meeting. I know it’s late, and this was all very last minute, but I promise it’s for good reason.
“As I’m sure you have all heard by now, myself and my family have secured our hold over London. We’ve established strong working relationships with some of you, but others have remained uncertain. I’ve given you all the time to think about what you want to do, and I’ve never forced the issue. But, unfortunately, the time for sitting on the fence has come to an end.”
A few people gasp, but nobody says anything. Bree gives them a moment before she continues. “It has come to my attention that there is a threat to our society, and it’s a big enough threat that it’s forcing me to take decisive action. I’m sure you have all heard of The Aristocracy. It’s the underground society that runs the human sex trafficking in this country. As I’m sure you have also heard, this is not an area myself or my family are willing to be part of, and if we’re not part of it, it’s not happening in this country. Too many children and young people are being taken and used for sex… It stops now.”
Everyone appears frozen, though some appear to be muttering to each other with their microphones on silent, so we can’t hear them. I wouldn’t put it past Kellan to be recording them without their knowledge, so we can listen to what they’re saying later.
Bree, on a roll, continues her speech, sounding like she’s been practising it for a while, even though we all know she’s making it up as she goes. “I have quickly realised that the only way for me to stop The Aristocracy is by cutting off their ability to trade in this country. But as I only have power over London, that’s the only district I can control, and I know that’s not enough. This is a cause I feel very strongly about, which is why you need to know that I don’t make this decision lightly.”
Bree takes a deep breath, and you can cut the tension in the room with a knife. “This is me officially notifying you of my intent to expand. I want to rule, not just London, but the whole of the UK. I have already teamed up with a few prominent families, including the Marcushios.” Bree points over to Shane—or Vinnie, as he’s known to the people on the screens—before she continues.
“As I mentioned before, now is the time to make hard choices. Nobody can remain on the fence. You either support me as your leader, or you see me as your enemy. Whichever you choose, know that my mission to rid this country of the skin trade will still go ahead, with or without your support. I have the means, the support, and the power to go to war over this, and I’m fully prepared to do whatever is necessary. Starting with Mortimer Whitlock.”
Even with muted microphones, their gasps and surprised faces are evident. Before now, Mortimer has operated in the shadows, never letting anyone know who he’s aligned with. We’ve had strong suspicions for a while that he’s playing families off against each other, and I’m sure Bree’s naming him to bring him out of the shadows, in the hope we can expose his manipulations.
Bree pauses, giving everyone a chance to gather themselves before she continues. “I have reached out to you because I believe we can form a union. I have no desire to overthrow anyone, and as far as I’m concerned, you will all keep the areas you rule now. The only difference is that you will report to me, and therefore, you will abide by any rules I instate.
“I have no plans to take away any other areas of your livelihood, but if you are in the skin trade, I can promise you…that will come to an end. I will help you find other revenue streams, so your Family remains profitable, but selling flesh ends today.”
Bree takes a moment to look across the screens, no doubt trying to read the people before her, but there are so many of them, and most have learnt to school their expressions, the same way we have.
“I’m not asking for a decision right now. I will reach out to you all individually after twenty-four hours. At this time, you will be asked to declare your allegiance. You are either on my side, or you’re in my way. If you choose not to align with me and my plans, we will consider you our enemy. War is coming, and nobody will be able to sit this out. If anyone has questions, you know how you can reach me.
