Page 67 of Morally Corrupt

He holds me into his arms for what seemed like forever until I suggest we leave.

"I don't want to be here any longer than needed."

It isn't until we're finally home that he opens up about what was discussed in the study.

"So wait, they want you to get them a meeting with the mayor?"

"Yes. They know I have a close relationship with him and that he was a friend of my parents."

"I'm so sorry, Theo. I never knew my father would go so far."

I'm sitting at the table in the kitchen, a cup of hot chocolate in my hands. After making his own coffee, he joins me at the table.

"I can't say it was totally unexpected."

"What do you mean?"

"B, don't tell me you've never known your father was involved in illegal stuff."

"I mean yeah, sure, I had my suspicions, but I never once believed he would force you into this. Especially by blackmailing you… And it's all my fault."

"It's okay. I told you, we'll get through this. But I have to ask…"

"Yes?" I look up into his eyes, and he hesitates slightly.

"What else does he have on you?" Of course, he would ask that. I remember my father hinting at lots of other skeletons in my closet.

"Would you believe me if I told you I don't know? Even with Jenna, my nanny, I had no idea he even knew that I poisoned her."

Theo is pensive for a while before speaking. "We have to find out everything he has on you; otherwise, we'll be at his mercy indefinitely."

I nod.

"I'll do that. It's my mess, and I'll be the one to fix it. But… just don't leave me. I couldn't bear if you left me, Theo." His hand comes on top of mine, and he squeezes.

"I seem to have a very increased tolerance to things when it comes to you, B… Just… don't betray me."

"I could never betray you, Theo. Always for you and with you, never against you."

My assurances flow from my mouth, hoping they're enough to convince him, especially now when things are so precarious. If killing those people would solve the problem, I would do it in a heartbeat.

But even I can recognize that murder isn't the solution in this particular scenario. The best we can hope for is to play them at their own games.

"We can't just let them walk all over us," I add, hoping he already has a plan.

"One step at a time. I'm going to have to talk to Marcel about this, get his angle too."

"Are you sure? Do you trust him?" It's not that I don't know who Marcel is to Theo, but this information is too sensitive.

"Of course. I'd trust Marcel with my life. Besides, two minds can work better than one."

"Three, you're forgetting me!"

"B, I don't want you involved in this. You could get hurt."

"You could too! And it's my fault you're involved in this in the first place. I won't stand by and watch you strut in the den of wolves by yourself." He sighs deeply.

"Fine! But don't do anything without talking to me first. Don't think I didn't see how Enzo was eating you up with his eyes."

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