Page 118 of Demise

My brows furrow at that. Did he have to kill someone for his initiation too? How does she know that? Something tells me her husband shouldn’t have told her, let alone have her telling others. I go with my gut and swing.

“Huh, I’ll have to chat with my father-in-law, oh, you know Christopher,” I smile like I’m being silly. “I’m sure he’ll be fascinated to know that not only is one of his Elders spilling induction secrets during pillow talk, but that his wife is then repeating such things in mixed company no less,” I say as I make dramatic eyes at the people around us.

She visibly pales before anger takes over her face. I’m so over this conversation and company, so I stand, throwing my napkin over my untouched food.

“We’ll see who winds up dead first, I suppose,” I say as I turn to walk away.

Sharp nails dig into my wrist as she holds me in place. I do my best not to show weakness, but it feels like she’s cutting me more than Vincent’s knife ever could.

“Stay the fuck away from my son! He’s set to be married soon, and you will chase away his fiancée!”

I scoff, shaking my head at her.

“Chase her away? Why would I do that when I prefer her in bed with us?” I lie, ripping my hand out of her grasp and sauntering out of the restaurant.

I can feel her fuming, but she doesn’t dare cause a scene. Not when I’ve just threatened her so beautifully. Honestly, no idea where that came from but I’m kind of proud of myself.

“What happened?” Vincent asks as he quickly steps beside me, opening the front door for me as we walk outside.

“She told me I’d be dead in months and I told her that I was gonna fuck her son and Maryia together.”

“What?” he snaps.

I shake my head. “Let’s just go. I’ll tell everyone when we get home.”

Vincent hands his ticket to the valet, but his body is turned, facing the restaurant. I can practically feel his body vibrating as he contemplates all the ways to kill Alison Walcott. She’s not worth it, though. She’s a deluded woman who feels a sense of superiority because her husband hasn’t offed her, unlike every other woman, it would seem. Maybe Steph had it right. Maybe my father is the one who killed my mother. It seems to be a pattern among the Elders. Get married, have a baby, kill your wife.

If he did, I’ll make sure that he suffers tenfold what she did. The lust to avenge her practically thrums in my veins the entire drive home, and I don’t stop vibrating with rage until we get there.

Chapter Thirty Eight

Skyla

Vincent called Ronan and Wesley when we were driving home. Asher was already at the house, and he was able to get Liam to come out of his room. I’m sitting on the couch beside Liam with Vincent on my other side, Asher sits on the coffee table facing me, and Ronan and Wesley stand to the side.

“She said what?” Liam snarls.

I nod with a sad smile.

“Sorry, baby. I don’t think she likes me very much.”

“I don’t give a fuck. Who the hell does she think she is to threaten you? And I am NOT engaged. You know that, right, babygirl?”

“Of course.” I nod.

“Well, if you do. I’ve acquired a knack for disposing of fiancées.” Vincent shrugs and I shoot him a look as Ronan grimaces.

Despite Annie being awful, I know he feels guilt for it. After all, she was Madison’s little sister. The family has now lost both of their daughters, and Ronan, my sweet teddy bear, hates that both of their deaths had something to do with him.

“Not helpful,” I say to Vincent. “Maggie would never forgive you. I would never forgive you.”

Vincent rolls his eyes. “Between your happiness or Bartlett’s, do you really have to ask me whose I’d choose?”

“Liam and Maryia might not be the worst thing,” Asher butts in. “He’ll be forced to marry and produce an heir at some point. If it’s Maryia, you guys can be together in the public eye, and behind closed doors, she can be with Maggie, and you can be with us.”

Asher says us so simply, so easily. It makes my heart warm, and apparently Liam’s too. I see a small smile spread across his face, the first one I’ve seen since his induction ceremony.

“There is more,” I admit. “She said that you had developed a skill or something for killing,” I say to Asher. “I think she was referring to your induction.”

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