Page 31 of Seizing Control: Part Two

And I’m the judge, jury, and executioner of the underworld.

Never before has the Catalonian conclave of La Trinitat Nova allowed two Adjudicators to operate at the same time. Normally promotions are contingent upon the death of the previous holder of the title, with their successor groomed from birth to step up. Somehow, Gabriel has bartered the favours owing to him to create a new system where I, an interloper, will publicly wield the power of the office and he’ll act as my counsellor from the shadows.

All I had to do in return was die...

The continuation of the Abaddon name is important.

As always, I get a twinge when I think about the end of my bloodline.

With Dad’s impending death, and the end of Ezekiel Miles’ time on earth, my lineage is technically done. For all intents and purposes, the Miles name dies with my father. The truth is a hell of a lot more convoluted.

My little brother is our legacy.

He just doesn’t know it yet.

I trust Lily to keep my presence secret.

My quasi-suicidal, easily manipulated younger sibling, not so much...

“I like the black fridge,” Layla tells me as she strides into my kitchen. She passes me a bacon and egg breakfast roll and a takeaway cup of coffee. When I place them both on the counter, she pouts. “I didn’t poison it.”

“Never said you did.”

“Then why aren’t you eating?” She easily lifts herself onto the bench. After tearing off a bite from her toasted sandwich and chewing it obnoxiously, she swallows down her food, then quips, “If you won’t tell me what you’ve done, I can’t help you fix it.”

If anyone else spoke to me like this, I’d knock them unconscious.

Somehow, Layla has become more than my most trusted curia member.

She’s almost a friend.

Our work relationship has grown in the weeks since I was released from the Adjudicator’s medical facility post-induced coma. The unsanctioned torture and slaughter of Noah St. James bonded us. Our demons and my offer to be her ally in riding the world our of mutual enemies after she’s hunted them connected us. The desire for retribution that drives us is synchronised. We work together in harmony, a quiet understanding between us that is solidified further every day.

Which is why she gets a pass for being a smart arse.

I’m not sure if it’s my mummy issues—as Layla likes to call them—but I seem to be collecting female confidants at an accelerated pace. Without Lily and our love that grew out of a lifetime of friendship by my side and my rapport with Gabbi terminated by Venom’s untimely death, my camaraderie with Layla as I find my feet in a new life has proven fundamental to my sanity.

The fallout from my impending resurrection will be bloody.

My club brothers are unlikely to extend grace and understanding, even if I could find a way to explain that he betrayal of my brotherhood is my third biggest regret.

Deserting Lily.

Devastating my dad.

Deceiving the Shamrocks.

Three duplicities that I cannot undo.

Three duplicities that I would carry out again.

My dishonesty has given me the life I was always supposed to lead.

I can fulfil my most fundamental need now.

I can keep Lily safe.

But I’m going to lose everyone else in the process which is another reason why my increasing bond with Layla De la Rue is so important to me. She is part of my new life. A fundamental ally. Whether our affiliation continues once our mutual goal is reached remains to be seen.

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