Page 172 of Demise

They all nod.

“We will make them see reason,” Asher says stiffly.

My mother makes a concerned look as she addresses Asher.

“Don’t underestimate them, especially him. You…you have no idea what he’s capable of.”

“With all due respect, Giselle, I’ve been under the man’s thumb since birth. I know exactly what he’s capable of.”

She gives him a sympathetic frown and nods, cupping his cheek softly.

“Keep my girl safe.”

“On my life,” Asher swears.

“And mine,” Liam adds on.

“And mine,” Vincent says.

“Mine,” Wesley agrees.

Ronan is the last to speak, all eyes on him as he gives a strong nod.

“Mine.”

Chapter Fifty Two

Asher

We went straight home last night despite how much Giselle and Jonathan wanted us to stay the night. I think they just wanted one more night with Skyla, should the worst happen. We weren’t going to let that happen, though, not for anything.

Tonight is Hutchinson’s initiation, and it gives us the perfect opening to do what needs to be done. First, we have to convince the others.

I’m standing in my kitchen, Skyla and Liam snuggling on the couch, when a knock comes from the door. They move apart an appropriate distance when Andrew Hutchinson steps inside, followed by Dane Lewis and Jeremy Stroughton. Lewis limps, braces holding his legs straight as he does his best to stand tall. Shit. Vincent really did fuck his life up. Good. Piece of shit should have died, in my opinion. Maybe he will by the end of this conversation.

“What the fuck is this?” Stroughton snarls.

“A discussion, welcome. The most important part is you shut the fuck up,” I say before looking to the others.

My eyes roam over them in a calculated way. It’s a move I’ve seen my father make a million times. It puts your opponent on edge, forces them to pay attention, and it seems to work for me now.

“The Brethren must fall. The Elders must be eliminated.”

Concerned looks move through the room as Hutchinson, Stroughton and Lewis all glance at each other, while we all stare at them with a hardened certainty.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Stroughton demands as I hold eye contact with him.

“I’m talking about starting over. Burning this society to the ground and building a new one in its ashes. I think we are all brainwashed enough to actually believe that there are advantages and benefits to being a part of the Brethren,” I say as the three stooges nod.

“I think we can also all agree, our ancestors were evil, our heads of the family are evil, and in order to truly rebuild, we have to start from scratch.”

“Meaning?” Hutchinson asks nervously.

“Meaning we are going to kill them all, tonight,” Vincent says sharply.

Hutchinson’s eyes bulge at that and I watch as he takes a nervous step backwards. I make eye contact with Wesley, who nods and stands behind Hutchinson, keeping him in place as I continue.

“Andrew, let’s not pretend that your dad doesn’t embezzle millions from the Brethren a year. It’s only a matter of time before my father finds out and slaughters your whole family.”

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