Page 3 of Fractured Onyx

Rigidly crossing her arms in front of her chest, she marches toward me as soon as I join her in the room Daveed decided to lock her in. It's one of the smallest guest rooms our headquarter mansion has to offer, but it will do for the time being. I haven't decided how long we're going to stay, since we never meant to be here in the first place. Everything has come undone over the past few days when our planned escape and the attached going-out-with-a-bang drinking antics were interrupted by the appearance of this girl and a chance I never thought I'd have.

There's only one reason I'm still holding on to this insane plan, and now she's the only person other than Lailah who knows about it.

"Why did you not tell me about your brother?" she asks, elaborating on her earlier question.

She continues approaching, but then comes to an abrupt halt about two feet away from me, as if there's an invisible barrier separating us. We're standing close to the door, and with nothing but the bed to sit on, I decide the best idea is for me to remain standing for now.

"He's only a half brother, " I correct her. "And no one knows about him."

My response doesn't satisfy her in the least. She scoffs, shaking her head. Her arms are still crossed angrily across her chest.

"What kind of excuse is that," she snorts. "Lailah knows. And if I'm supposed to be pretending to be her, I think I ought to know, too."

It's hard to argue with that, but I still hate the fact that Lailah took away that decision from me. I left the two of them alone, knowing very well that I was taking a risk that she would reveal my secret to Malia. I didn't stop Lailah from telling her, but I still wish she hadn't decided to share it.

If Lailah hadn't told her, though, I don't know that I would have ever told Malia of my own free will. She doesn't need to know the real reason why I want to see the Scivola family, or at least their leaders, dead. As far as I was concerned, it was enough for her to think the only reason that we were committing the deed was to gain higher standing with the Lato Family in Boston in exchange for protection. It was enough for her to think that this was all about strengthening our relationship with the local mafia—because that's all it is for the Covey.

But it's different for me.

For me, it's personal.

Years ago, the Scivola family made a big mistake when they decided to break their word, showing just how little the mafia can be trusted. They almost ruined my entire family, and with that an empire that had been built over generations. My older brother is now in charge of that empire, like he was always meant to be. His path had been laid out for him from birth.

Mine? Not so much. It only made sense that I would be the one to take the blame for what happened back then, because I was already tainted. It ended up being the final nail in the coffin cementing my broken relationship with a family that never wanted me.

And it's all because of the Scivola family and their dirty business, their lies, their betrayal.

I swore back then that I would get my revenge on them, even though I know it wouldn't fix anything between me and my family. It was far too late for that.

But I won't be able to put any of it to rest as long as the Scivolas are still out there, still running their filthy little business, still deceiving and killing people left and right however they see fit.

"It's personal," I say, trying to evade her quizzical eyes. "And it doesn't change anything."

"It does for me!" she shouts. "Lailah told me to trust you. She said you're not one of the bad guys."

"Well, she lied about that."

"No, she didn't," Malia insists, shaking her head. "I could tell from the beginning that you're different than them. And now I know why, at least partly."

I raise an eyebrow at her. "What exactly did Lailah tell you?"

Her faces goes blank for a few moments, as if struggling to come up with an answer or make sense of my question.

"You know what she told me," she utters. "About your brother, and all that."

"I want to hear it from you. What exactly did she tell you?"

Her expression looks strained while she ponders her response in her head, as if she was afraid to speak.

"She left outsomedetails, saying it's up to you to fill in the blanks," she finally says. I notice her eyebrows are raised, even though she's casting me a hidden look from the side. "All she told me is that you have your own agenda with this. You're not doing this for the Covey, but to get revenge."

I nod along as she speaks, pressing my lips together to stop myself from saying something I might regret.

"And?" I prod.

She lets out a heavy sigh. "You took the fall for your brother when his business-"

"Ourbusiness," I interrupt brusquely. "It's my family's business. He may be the one in charge, because he's the first born, but I still own almost half of it."

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