Page 35 of Where We Ended

I spoke softly, keeping my eyes on Dirk. “Natus redi ad domum cum Alec et ibi mane, donec veniam ad te.”

Natty, go back to the house with Alec and stay there until I come for you.

She didn’t hesitate. She moved behind Alec and tugged his sleeve until he’d caught on to what I’d told her. He gave me one glance from over his shoulder before he followed her.

Dirk was about to say something as he trailed Natty’s exit, but my mother suddenly appeared. She handed Dirk a beer, and then whispered something in his ear. His hands came down, grabbing her ass roughly and pulling her closer. I looked away because I refused to watch my mother get treated like that.

Pushing through the crowd, I headed back across the club, veering for an exit. My mother’s hand was on my elbow moments later, pulling me into a small alcove.

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I remained silent, watching as her dark eyes sharpened. Her arms came down over her chest, and she took two steps closer.

“Why did you bring Natty in here, and why the fuck did you give her a patch?”

“I joined this fucking club as a way to stay out of my father’s.”

She shook her head, her jaw moving as she lowered her voice.

“That is not what I’m questioning. I am asking why you gave Natty a patch, and why she was physically in this club?”

Why was she acting like she didn’t know how I felt about Natty? She was the one who used to tell me to be careful and not to scare her off. She has always known how the two of us feel for each other.

“You always knew I was going to be with her.”

My mother clicked her tongue. “Yes, fine. I knew that, but why did you bring her into the club?”

I was starting to get a headache. With a heavy sigh, I said, “Why don’t you cut the shit, and just tell me what the fuck is going on?”

She paused, staring at the spot behind my head as if she was trying to decide the right way to say her peace.

“You can’t afford to be distracted, Silas. You know I love Natty. I adore her, but the things Fable is asking you to do…don’t make her a target, Son. Just focus on training. Use this club as a means to gain allies, and a wall of sorts to stand behind while you learn.”

I didn’t want to do this with her right now.

I was happy.

For the first time in such a long fucking time, I was waking up with a smile on my face. Natty’s presence, in my bed, next to my heart each day, was like waking up with a clean soul. It was addictive, and something I refused to live without. I wasn’t good enough to spare her from becoming a target.

“You need to let this go…for years you’ve pushed it, but you’re pushing too hard.” I went to move past her, but she gently grabbed me by the shoulders.

“Son, I love you. But I know your father, and whatever horrors you’ve seen so far is nothing compared to what he will turn you into. You have to keep your head clear, you only have one more year where he’ll continue to take you, if that. Now that you’re patched here with his permission, it may be Dirk who pulls the strings.”

I scowled, feeling exasperated. “Then it’s a good thing I have you pulling Dirk’s, isn’t it?”

Her face twisted with malice, and I instantly felt like shit. My mother did things with a purpose behind them. The very fact that she was with Dirk meant she likely had an end game; whatever it was, I trusted her with it.

“Dirk will only be distracted for a few months, maybe a year if I’m extra vigilant…he’ll move on and he will notice what you’re doing or what you aren’t doing. Do not bring attention to Natty, and if you can help it, stay in the shadows, stay in the background for as long as you can.”

That darkness appeared to seep back in. A web of evil I couldn’t seem to outrun.

My mother seemed to know I was done. She moved to the side, keeping her arms folded in tight. I made my way out through the back and moved to the house, coming in through the garden. The first thing that set me on edge was the laughter.

I could hear Natty’s sweet giggle from outside the gate, which meant she had the windows open. So, she felt safe with Alec…and confident enough that he’d keep her protected.

My boots padded softly in the dirt, soundlessly so neither of them knew I was near the window. I stopped short when I heard Alec speak up.

“Seriously though, you aren’t the least bit curious where his new nickname came from?”

---