Page 136 of Underground Prince

“Believe me.” He tapped my cheek to bring me back to him. “I swear I will not do anything to make my time with you on this earth any shorter.”

My voice was clotted with fear. “Don’t do this shipment. Please.”

Theo grew serious, then concerned as he watched me work hard to keep any tears from splashing on my cheeks. “Let me do this one thing,” he said. He hesitated. “I’ll finish it.”

“You mean it?” I rose up on my elbows, gently pushing him off so he’d rise up, too. “But your father. And Trace, and…” I kissed him hard, holding his face between my hands like he’d dissipate if I let go.

“My brother and I, we’ve lived a life of competition. Everything was a battle, from the best seat at the breakfast table to whatever daily task our father had in mind. When we were young, it was intense, but childlike.” Theo wound his fingers with mine, sorting his thoughts. “Until Trace grew into the cruelty. Asked for it. Actually looked forward to facing off with me. I have the moment, seared into my mind, when he took pleasure in hurt.” Theo glanced from our hands to me. “The second he lost his humanity and became my father’s cruel spawn.”

“And you kept fighting him?”

“I’d never back down—will never. To prove to myself that I can still battle him and come out the same. That I’m not changing. Some part of me still believes that it’s the second he stops fighting me that I’ll have to worry. The time he doesn’t bother to give me any attention will be the moment he believes he’s won.”

I clenched my hand against his. “You’re talking like it’s going to come down to the death.”

His answering stare was so bleak and haunted that my features echoed his before I understood the implications.

“Trace won’t stop. He’s still asking about you, poking at me, involving our parents. Showing all too much obsession.” Theo’s hand covered mine, and after a moment of silence, he said, “I will do it, Scarlet. Fuck family ties. I’m done with sacrifice. I loved him once.”

I was afraid to prod further, but further encouragement wasn’t necessary for him to murmur his solemn oath.

“But I’ll kill him if I have to.”

* * *

The next morning, I left Theo a note on my vacated pillow saying I had to get to work, but I’d see him later this afternoon.

Of course that was a bald-faced lie. I needed the day to figure out how I was going get Trace to Williamsburg tonight, and then how I was going to infiltrate the meeting and prevent anything from happening to Theo.

I didn’t kid myself that Theo’s morning slumber was completely natural. With an upbringing like his, he’d be alert to any kind of movement in his bedroom. Maybe he was pretending sleep for my benefit, allowing me a courteous exit.

Possibly he allowed me to go because he had to keep up pretenses as much as me. After convincing me he’d be safe, he’d settled with my smile. But behind his answering grin, he might have his own plans. To keep me placid so he needn’t worry about me tonight. Lulling me into complacency by promising he’d come back.

I turned at the bedroom door, and sure enough, while maintaining his restful repose, Theo’s lips were drawn together, hardened into a tight line.

He was what mattered. I knew I was only one person, a peon in the midst of controlled criminal chaos, but I could still make waves. Institute some kind of change, even at its smallest, to ensure disorganization and give Theo enough time to get away.

His father could not catch him. The FBI would not take him. Trace would not hurt him.

This was my mantra as I took the subway home, walked into my apartment, and nearly threw a lamp at Kai.

“Jesus Christ!” I smacked against the door frame.

“Sorry!” Kai rose off the couch, palms up.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I glanced left and right. “Where’s Verily?”

“In class. She let me in on her way out.” He remained where he was, surrendering between our couch and the coffee table.

“How kind of her.” I tossed my tote in front of him so it hit the couch where he’d sat and we were almost nose to nose. He winced. “If only she knew you could arrest her on a whim.”

Kai avoided my eye. “I won’t stay long. I just have a few questions.”

“That sucks. Considering you could’ve manipulated me for information and now you have to straight-up ask me. When I want to scratch your face off.”

“You weren’t even supposed to be involved!” Kai’s shout sent me backtracking. “The takedown was gonna happen, without Sax, without you. You were never supposed to be tapped to draw Trace to the location. Sax sure as hell wasn’t meant to be in play tonight. Get that? Had you not gone all street-cat on my shirt yesterday, we wouldn’t even be in this position.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry I caught on to your backhanded maneuvers.”

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