Page 54 of The Cult

“They headed that way.” Abel once again wrapped his arm around my shoulders like I was one of his buddies.

I stared at his hand then at his face and raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry,” he said, distancing himself from me. “What do we do?”

“We’ll wait them out.” I relaxed and leaned my back against the bales of hay.

Abel settled opposite me and crossed his long legs. He stared at my face thoughtfully.

“What?” I asked after he’d spent a good five minutes just watching me. He was starting to freak me out.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“No.” I crossed my arms and closed my eyes. Being this close to Abel and doing nothing was more anxiety-inducing than when we were messing around.

“What happened between you and Dad?”

“I said no questions.” I should have seen that coming. Oliver and I used to spend a lot of weekends together, but things changed after witnessing the disappearances of other assassins’ loved ones. They were never found alive. Having more people around me became a liability. Risking my life was the hidden truth I lived every day. I wouldn’t gamble with his or his family’s well-being. Then Aurora died, and a part of me died with her.

“Why did you stop visiting us?” he pried. That little fucker didn’t know the meaning of the word no. “You were like his brother.” I could sense the dismay in his tone. “He tried to reach you a hundred times, hoping you’d help us get the hell out of here.” It didn’t sound like he was blaming me; he sounded disappointed, and I didn’t know which was worse.

I popped my eyes open. “It’s not my fucking fault,” I barked, cursing when I realized that we were surrounded by guards within earshot. I lowered my voice. “I wasn’t the one who brought you and your family here. So watch your tone.”

“I’m not blaming you,” he said, his calmness pissing the shit out of me. “But Dad could’ve used a friend.”

“Well, life is full of disappointment.” I stared at holes in the ceiling before closing my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“Was it because of Aurora’s death?”

I remained mute, fearing any word about her would open old wounds.

“You can tell me anything,” he said.

“She didn’t just die. She was murdered. That’s all you need to know.” I stood, not caring whether the guards were around. I’d take my chances out there over the danger of exposing myself to Abel.

“What? Tobias, I’m so sorry.”

“See your mom and sister, or don’t, but we’re heading back in a few minutes.”

“Tobias! Wait up.” Abel shuffled behind me, and I didn’t have the balls to look him in the eyes.

I was an asshole. But that was a hundred times better than being weak.

I watched Abel and Maddy from a distance. Being this far from him served two purposes: to return the favor by being the lookout for him while he visited his sister, and to clear my head. Abel thought I’d abandoned his father. I’d let him think that. “Everything we touch crashes and burns. Are you sure you’re willing to bring them into our world?” El Jefe once asked me. I missed that old grump. He was our leader who died protecting us. He was the father I never had. I didn’t have a lot of regrets in life, but not being able to tell him how much he meant to me was up there. I’d never been great with words and emotions, but I could’ve tried. “You’re free now, my friend. We won’t let your sacrifice be in vain. The Firm will answer for what they’ve done.”

Remembering the pics on my phone, I quickly fired a text to Zero with the pictures from the barn. Hey, Zero! Any clue what these are? After sending the message, my thumb hovered over an unnamed folder. The guilt came in droves. It’d been a while since I allowed myself to peer into my past life. Reliving those memories was unproductive. I fought the urge and focused my attention on Abel instead.

Where are you, Oliver, and why did you leave your family here alone? I knew my best friend, and I had a hard time believing he’d leave them here without a good reason. There was only one reason why he wouldn’t call or return. Fuck! I was cursed to never have anyone in my life. No family. No friends. A killer taking up space in the world.

Maddy whispered something to her brother, her lips hidden behind her hand. They both glanced in my direction. Abel mouthed, “No,” while shaking his head repeatedly.

It was time to go. After ten minutes, I whistled to get Abel’s attention. He seemed to have caught the hint and jogged back up the small hill to where I sat.

Maddy waved goodbye to me. I waved back.

Twenty-Four: Abel

“We need to tell him everything. Maybe he can help us,” Maddy said. That was a huge maybe. The plan we had was bigger than us. Lives were at stake if we trusted the wrong people. This was Tobias; I knew he could be trusted, but I needed to get the guys’ approval before I spilled everything about our upcoming escape from this prison cosplaying as a community.

---