Page 28 of Lethal Truths

I mean, everything is wrong lately. I’m miserable, Prudence hates me, and I worry every day that Asher won’t ever be himself again. Not to mention feeling eyes on me all the time. Undoubtedly, it’s my parents watching my every move and ready to end me should I show any hint of softness toward Prudence again.

But today, with Bruce here looming his presence over us… something is very wrong. I can’t exactly pinpoint why I feel that way, though. The bastard always makes me uneasy for a whole host of reasons.

First thing this morning, practically before the sun even rose in the sky, Bruce was banging on my door and telling me he’d be having a long chat with me and the others about our failures. I wish I had the guts to tell him to jump off a bridge then and there. I’m done playing by their rules, have been for a long time. Doesn’t he see that? Can’t he tell? Surely, my rebellion has been obvious enough.

I’m really surprised they’ve left me alone for so long. Every day that I’ve refused to make another move against Prudence, I’ve expected one of the Elders to show up and finish the job my father started a year ago. But every day, I remain alive and unscathed, and my wariness only grows.

The Celestials don’t sit back and let their members disobey direct orders, so what the fuck is going on? I’d bet my life that whatever that answer is, Bruce being here today is part of it.

Once I’ve showered and dressed, I meet Creed at the top of the stairs. He’d been leaning against the banister as if he was waiting for me. As I approach, I offer a nod in greeting.

“I don’t like this,” he murmurs as we begin down the stairs.

I don’t need to sign a word, my agreement is clear on my face. Creed studies my grim expression and then brushes his hand through his hair in frustration, leaving the locks sticking up in wayward directions.

“Whatever he wants, let’s get it done fast. I don’t like leaving Prudence unguarded,” he says, his voice heavy and rough. He’s on edge, same as me.

Creed and I agreed weeks ago that Prudence needed to be watched at all times. She’s not always aware of it, which I’m sure she’d be pissed about. It’s a drastic measure, but after the attack on Fright Night, I’m not willing to leave anything to chance. The only slip up we had was when Creed had to stay late in class the other day. And even though there was no hint of an attack on Prudence, she was frightened when she called Creed. And then he called me, and I left my class without an excuse because I could get to her faster.

That was a mistake, leaving her open like that. One that I won’t allow to happen again. I texted some of the freshman frat brothers and told them to watch Prudence all goddamn day if they need to and report back to me if anything happens.

Once we’re downstairs in the spacious living room, suspiciously empty, Creed and I sit on the dark leather sectional and wait. It’s not five minutes later when Bruce strolls in, looking casual and at ease. Asher follows after him, and I almost jerk out of my seat when I spot the bruises and split lip. Narrowing my eyes at Bruce, I silently promise retribution. It’s been a long fucking time since he lifted a hand toward his son — he stopped once Asher was big enough to fight back — so whatever went down between them last night must have been nasty.

Asher takes a seat between Creed and I, his posture stiff and guarded. I spare him another glance, catching Creed’s worried expression on the other side of Asher as I do so. Ash keeps his gaze forward and focused on his father, but I don’t miss the muscle tensing in his jaw under my perusal.

Maybe I’ve been too hard on him? I forced distance between us because I didn’t like who he was becoming under the influence of The Celestials. But what if, in doing so, he’s worse off? He used to come to us — to me — whenever Bruce hurt him, but he didn’t last night. Is that my fault?

Guilt, confusion, and a host of other unpleasant emotions slam into me, but I don’t let them show on my face. For now, I’ll listen to whatever Bruce has to say, but as soon as I have a moment, I’ll check in with Asher.

Maybe my best friend is still in there somewhere? Maybe I can bring him back to me…

“Gentlemen,” Bruce begins, clapping his hands together like he’s getting ready for a long spout of bullshit. “How are things? School, fraternity life?”

I frown at him, but I don’t make any effort to communicate. He doesn’t sign, anyway, and taking out my phone seems an impossible task. I’m uncomfortable in his presence, on edge and ready for an attack. I tap my finger against my outer thigh in a steady, calming rhythm, hoping it keeps my mind in the present. I haven’t had a panic attack in weeks, but knowing Bruce and all the depraved things he’s done, his presence is enough to trigger one.

“Why don’t we save everyone’s time and get to the point,” Asher drawls, his voice empty and seemingly bored. Really, I know he’s shut himself down to deal after the abuse he went through not twelve hours ago.

Bruce grins at his son, but it’s not a nice, fatherly expression. It’s a deadly smile from one of the most influential Elders within The Celestials. It’s a look that promises pain should he be interrupted or rushed again. “Do you have somewhere you need to be, Asher?” he asks slowly.

Asher’s nostrils flare, but other than that, he shows no sign of emotion. “Just class, Dad. Or are my grades no longer important? I thought I was to maintain perfect attendance and a four-point-oh to secure my position in your company after graduation?”

If Bruce had any kind of humanity inside him, he’d feel guilty as he looks at Asher’s busted up face. Instead, he charges forward too fast for any of us to react, gripping Asher’s shirt collar and yanking him onto his feet. “Watch your smart mouth, boy. After your colossal failure with your initiation task, I’m in no mood for an attitude. You should be thankful I’m not seeking to push you three harder,” he snaps, his voice a lethal hiss that has all the tiny hairs along my body standing up.

Asher grits his teeth, wrapping his hand around his dad’s wrist. I’m twitching with the desire to defend him, to rip Bruce’s hand away from my friend, but doing so would only make things worse. We’ve played this game before, and Bruce always doubles down when he feels challenged.

“I can’t speak for them,” Creed muses, stealing my attention. “But I’m done. Done with the orders, done with rules, done with the unreasonable expectations and unjust punishments. But most of all, I’m fucking finished trying to ruin someone who’s done nothing bad in her life. She’s lived through enough without us putting her through hell, so I, for one, will be flipping the coin and showing her what happiness should feel like. God fucking knows that she deserves it. I might not be the most worthy man for her, but I’ll try until my heart quits pumping,” he explains, each word growing with passion and determination. “So frankly, Uncle, you can kindly shove a twelve-inch dildo up your ass if you want to push.”

Bruce stares at Creed in shock for a moment, long enough for Asher to shove out of his hold and settle on the couch again. He sits a few inches closer to me this time, and something unfurls in my chest, knowing that he’s close enough for me to protect if need be.

I casually lift my hand enough to grab Bruce’s attention, holding his hardening gaze. Pointing to Creed, I nod, indicating that I agree with every last word he spoke. Asher remains silent between us. He doesn’t agree, but he doesn’t argue or try to convince us that Prudence has to go, so I think we’re on the right track. Either that, or he’s given up on getting Creed and I to help, and he’s planning on taking care of my little flame on his own… That’s a very real possibility, so I make a mental note to keep a vigilant eye on him. More so than I’ve already been.

Bruce pinches the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes with a low exhale. “You were all raised better than this,” he murmurs. Rolling his shoulders back, he opens his eyes and tries for a softer smile. “You each understand the importance of the work The Celestials do and your roles within the group. An act of loyalty has to be carried out to prove yourselves, but after that…” Bruce trails off with a shrug and a lighthearted laugh. “Boys, the world will be at your fingertips. Prestigious careers, sway within the elite communities around the globe, fortunes beyond your wildest dreams. All we ask in return is that your loyalties lie with us and whatever work you do benefits the longevity of The Celestials. It shouldn’t even be a question of whether you want to do this.”

Creed and I remain quiet and pensive, but Asher, surprising the hell out of me, speaks up. “I’ll finish her,” he states, every syllable grating over me. I’m about to storm out of here and kidnap Prudence for her own goddamn good when Asher arches a brow and adds, “If you tell me the truth, Dad. Why is she such a threat? And don’t tell me it’s because her mom knows too much. That’s a fucking copout. If that’s the case, why not go after Irene? You’ve all had years to do so.”

I flick my eyes between the two, waiting with bated breath to see if this is the moment Bruce will finally shed some light on the reasons behind our task. It won’t make any difference for me. I won’t be hurting Prudence even if I find out she’s a trained assassin sent to eliminate us. But it would still be nice to know. Maybe then I would be better prepared for whatever they try to throw at her next.

Bruce swipes his tongue over his teeth, staring at his son for a long, tense moment. Just when I think he might give in, though, his cell rings in his suit pocket. He takes it out and looks at the screen, and then holds up a finger at us as he answers it. Bruce walks out of the room without a backward glance, speaking in a low voice to whoever called.

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