We’re close to the wall here. Too far to jump, but I can still look down over the wall and to the street below. All is silent and still, but the feeling of being watched only intensifies.
If Abel found me here, it would shatter what little trust we’ve managed to build up between us.
Fuck, what am I doing?
Harlow is right. If I’m really intent on putting the faction first, then that means working with what we have instead of trying to wrest control away. I won’t be able to take the faction back without killing Abel and all six of his brothers, and that’s too steep a price, no matter how ruthless I’ve been in the past.
I turn for the door, but a shadow breaks away from the corner of the balcony, morphing into the familiar features of Marie. Even in the relative darkness, I can see the circles beneath her eyes. I glance at the door and shift closer, speaking barely above a whisper. “Disband the people. Call the whole thing off.”
She jerks as if I’ve struck her. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am.”
Marie leans forward. “I don’t care what he’s threatened you with; we’ll see it through. You just have to hold out a little longer.”
Something like true fear coats my tongue. I move before I can think twice about it, shoving her against the wall. I lean down until our faces are even. “Listen closely, Marie, because I will not repeat myself. If you move against Abel without my permission, I will cut down you and every single person you bring with you. I will not spare you, and I will not show mercy.”
“You really are serious,” she breathes.
“Deadly so.”
“But…”
I step back and drop my arm. “I did not ask for or need your input. The safety of the faction is what matters, and this is the best way to ensure it. You will do nothing to endanger that.”
For a moment, I think she’ll argue with me, but she finally nods and drops her gaze. “Yes, sir.”
“It’s over, Marie. It’s time for you to move on now. Let your people know.” A bitter pill to swallow, but even if this works out with Abel, he won’t trust any of my people at his back. Nor should he. All it takes is one misguided person to think that shooting him will be enough to put things back to how they were before. It’s too big a risk to let them close.
Disbanding them means failing them in a way, but Harlow is right—the stability of the faction as a whole is greater than any one person or small group. All of my people are capable. They’ll land on their feet.
They’ll just do it without me as their leader.
“Yes, sir,” she repeats. Her tone is off, no doubt because she’s fucking furious with me, but she’ll get over it eventually. Or she won’t. Either way, I have bigger things to focus on now.
“Don’t come back to the compound.” I turn and walk through the doors and off the balcony.
I stop short, peering into the darkness. The feeling of being watched is so intense, I spend a good five minutes staring at the shadows and waiting for someone to reveal themself. But there’s no one there. The room is empty, and I’m being paranoid. I shake my head and move to the door in the wall.
Fewer than ten minutes later, I’m back in my room.
I take a quick shower, but it does nothing to settle me. Ever since Harlow basically moved out, this room has felt like it’s missing something vital. Someone vital. After last night, that sensation has only grown. I can barely look at the bed without remembering everything we did there. The sex, yes, but also the heady comfort of sleeping with Harlow and Abel. Something outside of the realm of possibility until last night.
I want it again.
I don’t want to wait.
Despite the late hour, I pull on a pair of lounge pants and head down the hallway to Harlow’s room. After the briefest debate with myself, I open the door without knocking. The room is dark, but she left the curtains open, allowing moonlight to spill into the space. It highlights Abel’s large form at her back, his arm carelessly wrapped around her, holding her to his chest. The sheet is tangled around their hips, leaving both their torsos bare.
Longing nearly takes me to my knees.
I’d hoped they’d be awake, but I can hardly crawl into bed with them while they’re both asleep. And the idea of waking them feels like shattering a perfectly rendered piece of art. No matter how bitter the idea of returning to my bed alone is, it’s still the right choice.
I’ve been selfish enough for several lifetimes when it comes to these two. The least I can do is leave them in peace for tonight. I turn for the door.