Page 69 of The Casella King

“What did they do to you?” My voice is low, scared that if I talk at full volume that she will pull away from me, and that’s the last thing I want. She bows her head and turns to walk towards the bed.

“I don’t speak of it. Not to anyone.” She sighs. “They’re gone now, so it doesn’t matter.”

“You can trust me.” I want to reach out to her, to comfort her, but I don’t want to overstep. Nothing I say or do can make her past vanish, but I can be an ear to listen if she’ll let me.

“That’s the problem, Aries. I don’t know that I can.” Her voice shakes as she sits on the bed, her head in her hands. “I don’t have a choice, do I?” She peers up at me, her watery eyes holding on to a small bit of hope that I’ll say she does. I bite my lip and shake my head, words evading me. I want her to trust me. I want her to have someone she can confide in, knowing that she won’t be exposed no matter what she shares with me. Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the situation we’re in.

I make my way out the door, past the guards and into the large lounge area. I find Ezra and Nico huddled around the coffee table in what looks like a serious conversation. Nico’s eyes find mine as I step into the room.

“So?” he asks, and I know he’s hoping for the answer he wants.

“She didn’t say much, but I don’t think she will fight it,” I explain as I glance at Ezra who nods. I wish I had more information to give, but until I can earn her trust, I’m keeping it to myself.

Placing my guns in my holsters, I head downstairs as Henry places my suitcase in the van. I wait outside as Nico brings his luggage and throws it in the back of the van.

“Jesus. I know you’re pissed off, but there is no need to take it out on the suitcase.” I watch as he grunts, leaning against the van, lighting up a cigarette.

“What’s our plan anyway?” he asks, blowing out a puff of smoke into the air.

“Well, we have to find out if he knows anything about us first,” I explain.

“Surely he would, if the Brayfords had anything to do with it,” he spits, the disdain oozing from his voice.

“We can’t assume that,” I explain as I watch my beautiful wife emerge from the front door of our house dressed in a floral dress, accentuating her delicious curves. “We need to be sure.”

Aries walks down the steps and throws her arms around me. “I’ll miss you,” she whispers as I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her into me.

Nico makes a gagging sound and walks into the house. “Let me know when we’re ready to go, I’d rather not watch you two tongue fuck each other,” he calls out, and Aries giggles.

“You have no idea how much I’d rather stay in bed and fuck you until the sun rises and sets.” I place my lips on hers, lowering my hands to her ass.

“Promise me you’ll be careful,” she pleads.

A smirk curls in the corner of my mouth. “When have I ever given you the impression that I am careful?” I ask.

Her brows pull in. “Ezra.”

“You have nothing to worry about, sweetheart.” I kiss the top of her head, inhaling her scent before I call out to Nico, “We’re leaving!”

Henry loads the car as Nico appears walking down the steps. He kisses Aries on the cheek then slides into the seat next to mine.

The trip to the tarmac is silent. I know my brother hates me right now, and I can’t do much to fix it, so I stay quiet. There’s about ten minutes left into the car trip when he finally speaks.

“You’re so fucking lucky, you know that?” He grits his teeth with hate swirling in his stare. Being the youngest, Nico never truly understood the sacrifices I had to make, to take on the role I have, and I’m so fucking tired of him assuming it’s been a smooth ride.

“Grow the fuck up. You really think this is the life I dreamt about when I was ten years old?” I seethe, sick with the blaming and self-loathing. “You have no fucking idea the shit I had to do so Dominic wouldn’t make you do it. I’m fucking fed up with you drinking yourself into oblivion.” I grit my teeth. “It’s about time you came to the realisation that we don’t always get what we want, brother.” The air is dense as a silence takes over the space in the van, leaving my words hanging in the air. I don’t care if I’m harsh with him anymore, he needs to hear the truth.

“What did he make you do?” Nico asks, his voice now calmer than before.

The memories flash before me as I remember the vile things I did for my father. They used to bother me, back when I was just a boy, but now they have become a part of me.

A part of me I embrace.

“It doesn’t matter, Nico, because it’s made me stronger. All I want is for you to embrace all that you try to bury within yourself. The further you push it down, the more it will break you until you can no longer piece yourself back together,” I speak, watching as he looks out the window. “I don’t want my brother to become a broken shell of a human. I want to see you thrive like I know you can. You’re smart, you have so much talent in strategy, and yet you choose to be numb instead of homing in on your skills.” He looks to me, visible hurt in his eyes. “I’m not saying this to hurt you. I want to see you at your full potential—” I’m interrupted by ringing. I slide the phone out of my pocket and see an unknown number on the screen.

Putting the phone to my ear, I answer. “Who is this?”

“Your worst fucking nightmare, Casella.” My eyes fly to Nico’s as I put the phone on speaker.

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