Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Anger ripples through me. “You don’t know him.”
His raised eyebrow leaves me bracing myself. “Oh? I don’t? Right. I couldn’t possibly understand your deep, special relationship because he’s so important to you. More important than blood?”
It’s not a question, but it feels like it.
“Stop twisting this around,” I warn, my heart pumping harder and blood beginning to roar in my ears. It’s always this way. I start out so strong and confident. I’m sure I can get through a call with him without losing control of my temper. But it never fails.
Like magic, here I am, clenching my fists out of sight of the camera. Clenching them so tight, it hurts.
He heaves a sigh, shaking his head as if he’s disappointed in me. “This is war. How many times do I need to remind you of that?”
I should know better than to think he’ll understand. He never does. I concluded long ago that River is missing some key component that makes a person human. That certain something that separates us from animals.
In some ways, I envy his ability to look at the world in black and white. There are no shades of gray for him. No degrees of right or wrong. You’re either for him, or you’re against him. There is no in-between.
There are times when I know life would be easier if I could shut down my feelings. My allegiance. This is one of those times.
“Tell me something,” he murmurs before I’m able to come up with a response. “When did you lose sight of what’s most important?”
“I haven’t,” I snap.
I hate when he’s like this. Sitting back, watching my life, passing judgment on things he could never understand. It’s one thing to watch but another to experience. He hasn’t shared what Q and I have shared over the years. The friendship, the trust. He’s only ever been an observer.
No wonder it’s so easy for him to sentence Q to death.
Especially when he won’t be the one performing the execution.
“Fine.” He sits up straighter, shrugging.
“What’s fine?” I have a sinking feeling…panic rising in my throat.
“I took care of Aspen. I suppose I’ll have to take care of your precious Q this time.”
I suck a sharp breath into my lungs. “No.”
Big mistake.
His eyes narrow, and I know I stepped straight into his trap.
“Wow. You really love him, huh? When’s the wedding? Is bigamy allowed at Corium? I suppose so since every other crime is, minus death.”
“Enough.” I’m two seconds from slamming the laptop shut, but I can’t give in to the impulse. I can’t let him come here to do the job himself. Casualties will be far worse if I allow that.
“Now I know this is truly for the best,” he muses, shaking his head. “It’s one thing to get revenge, but it’s another to pull you back from the edge and remind you of what matters. You’ve lost focus.”
Have I? Or is he looking for a fight?
Stroking his chin, he adds, “Maybe I need to pay you a visit after taking care of our Q problem. We can talk face-to-face about your loyalty. Get you back on track to where your focus needs to be.”
“There’s no need for any of that.” I tighten my jaw, molars grinding. “I’ll get it done.”
“Oh?” He feigns surprise. “What changed your mind? The fear that I might actually do it myself?”
This time, I follow through on the impulse to close the laptop and end the call. It’s better to do that before I say something I can’t take back.
River is dangerous, but unlike most, his bark is nothing compared to his bite. When he puts his mind to something, if he’s determined enough, he’ll destroy anything in his wake. That’s definitely one thing I admire about him.
It’s better to control him and keep him in line than let him take control.
My body is heavy as I rise from the couch. There’s no decision that needs to be made. This has to happen, and I need to be the one to do it. I don’t trust River when it comes to Q. Let him taunt all he wants, but I’ve known him long enough to understand where his attitude stems from. It’s jealousy, plain and simple. He resents the presence of anyone in my life who isn’t Luna or himself.
Let him pretend all he wants that this is strictly according to plan, that Q is a casualty of war. He can’t convince me otherwise. I know it’s personal for him.
Which is why he can’t be the one to do it. This needs to look like an accident. It’s too likely River will lose his cool, and things will get out of hand. We don’t need a blood bath. A bad fall is one thing, but I get the feeling there’d be questions if Q ended up with his face kicked in until it was unrecognizable.