My chest squeezes, stealing my breath away. He did not just say what I think he did. “What? No.”
“Shut up and listen, Stacia,” Daddy says, again breaking our rule about using our real names. It shows that Daddy is beyond this bullshit as much as I am.
I snap my mouth shut and turn my gaze to look at Talon, who clenches his fingers into fists without a word.
“It would be in your best interest to listen. And I mean really listen. I don’t know what kind of bullshit you’ve got yourself caught up in, but I cannot stand by as someone threatens our chapter. This is not only our livelihood, but it is also our lives. There’s a lot at stake, and we need to handle your bodyguard immediately. Obviously, I understand that you’re not a killer. It has been very clear since even before your initiation, but we can’t just let him go. The court has agreed to accept my compromise, and you will frame Leandro for all these murders. Do you understand? It is the only way this can happen or he’s a dead man.” Daddy steps away from me and returns to his desk, slouching in the rolling chair.
Tears fill my eyes, but I don’t argue with him. Talon warned me to just agree. If I try to argue, it’ll get worse. This is a small mercy I must take. Because Daddy is right. If I were anyone else, I’d probably lose my head as well.
“I understand and will take care of it,” I say, keeping my voice low to stop it from shaking.
“You better. You have until the end of the week. I can’t buy any more time from the authorities.” Daddy turns toward his court. “Is that satisfactory?” he asks them, acting like they have a choice. Daddy is the king of our chapter for a reason. He is a ruthless man, and he will fight anyone who tries to go against him. But he’s also a smart man, which is why he gives into such compromises.
“Yes,” Daddy’s court says in unison.
“Excellent. This meeting is adjourned. Everything said within these walls must stay within these walls. We cannot risk this getting out. It is one of the benefits of being on the King’s Court. Does everyone agree?” Daddy looks around those closest to him, including Talon.
“Agree,” everyone says.
Daddy peers at me in silence.
“Agree,” I whisper, hanging my head.
“Good. You are all free to go.” Daddy smacks his hands together, the sound shocking through me. I don’t move from my spot until he vanishes from the room with his most trusted following behind him. Talon silently goes with them.
I peek up and watch him go, leaving me alone in the King’s chamber. I don’t know what to do as my world continues to fall apart around me. It was one thing, framing a man who abused his girlfriend and who was an entitled bastard. It’s another to frame a man that I like and enjoy the company of. A man who has proven he’d die to protect me.
I hate my life.
I hate this fucking secret society.
The benefits no longer outweigh the danger. I don’t gain anything anymore, and it feels as if I’m losing everything.
My life. My friends. The men I care about. My innocence.
It’s something that can’t be maintained any longer. I can’t just be the party girl and the heir of the St. Germaine empire. I have to be more. I have to do more.
I can’t let the Looking Glass chapter destroy me. I just can’t. I refuse to frame Leandro.
I need to figure out who really killed those people. And quickly. Because time is running out.
“Astéri mou, let me help you. You can’t just stay here.” Christos materializes beside me, kneeling on the ground. “Tell me what happened and what we need to do.”
I shake my head, tears burning my eyes. “We have to get out of here. We have to run away. I can’t do what they’ve asked of me.”
Christos lifts me off the floor, carrying me through the dark, empty meeting room. I have no idea where Esteban and Bianca went, but they were probably ordered to vacate the building. Rubbing his hand up and down my spine, he smooths out my trembles, caring for me in a way I haven’t let him do in so long. Something about his familiarity helps settle the erratic beats of my heart, but my mind still begs me to keep my guard up.
“If you want to run, then we’ll run. I have a place in Greece we can stay, off the radar, and away from SOS.” Christos whispers the words in my ear so quietly that I struggle to hear them. “I’ll take care of you. Nothing will get between us again.”
He cracks the foundation of the wall I built between us. My heart flutters with his words. He’d so easily give up his life as he knows it to ensure mine doesn’t end. But how long can we run for? How long can we hide? I wouldn’t be just giving up the Society of Secrets. I’d have to give up everything, including the men I’ve grown to appreciate and cherish. Perhaps love, if I’m even capable of such things.
And what about Leandro?
“Christos, I’m just so scared. I can’t do this. Any of this.” I bury my face in the crook of his neck, not even caring if my tears dampen his button-down.
“Don’t talk like that. I know you’re capable of doing anything. You just need a moment to collect yourself. I’m going to get you out of here, okay?” Christos doesn’t wait for me to respond and carries me to the elevator and down to the parking garage. Esteban stands at his car, leaning against the door, and he doesn’t say anything while he opens the passenger side while Christos sets me on the front seat.
Bianca must’ve left with Juan, and I doubt he will let her come in contact with me anytime soon. She’ll have to sneak around like she’s done before, but it makes me feel like crap.