Page 51 of Red Dreams

“You’re seeing things that aren’t there,” Kaden says to her through tight lips.

But she's just getting started. Cassie leans in close as I struggle to breathe, as my neck burns. “He'll never truly be yours, you know. No matter how much you spread your legs, no matter how sweetly you beg. Because at the end of the day, blood is thicker than water. And I'm his blood.”

Tears sting my eyes, blurring my vision. I blink them away furiously, refusing to let her see how deep she can cut.

Cassie straightens, the corners of her mouth twitching.

“But I'm a generous daughter. I'm willing to give Daddy a chance to prove his loyalty. To show me once and for all where his true allegiance lies. Let go of the kitten’s collar, Dad.”

She turns her attention to Ethan, who watches the exchange with mounting dread. His face is a mask of blood and bruises, his one open eye wide with fear.

“Kill him,” Cassie says simply.

17

LAYLA

My heart stops. The whole world narrows down to those two words.Kill him.

Cassie claps her hands together, the sound loud and jarring in the tense silence. “Okay, boys! Let's set the stage, shall we? I want everyone to see this.”

At her command, her men spring into action. They drag Ethan from his chair, ignoring his grunts of pain as they shove him to the center of the room. They force him to his knees, one brute holding him in place with a meaty hand on his shoulder.

Cassie's men form a loose circle around Ethan, their eager faces lit by the golden lamplight in the suite.

Kaden's hand falls away from my throat. He looks at Cassie, then at Ethan. His expression is unreadable.

“No more excuses. No more delays,” Cassie continues. “You want to prove you're with me? Then do it. Kill Ethan Rutledge, nerd extraordinaire.”

Ethan makes a low, pained sound. He tries to straighten his posture, to face his fate with some semblance of dignity, but his injuries make it impossible. He slumps under the foot soldier’s hand in defeat.

I can't let this happen.

“Kaden, please.” I grab his arm, forcing him to look at me. “Don't do this. You're not Morelli. You don’t kill innocents. All Ethan has done is help us. He saved your life! You're better than this.”

For a moment, just a moment, I see the doubt in his eyes. A semblance of the man I know is still in there somewhere, buried beneath the Scythe.

Then he blinks.

Nothing reflects back at me. No warmth, not recognition. Just emptiness.

Kaden pulls his arm from my grasp and steps away. Toward Ethan.

“No!” I lunge after him, but Cassie grabs me, yanking me back. Her nails cut into my arms as she holds me in place.

“Watch,” she hisses in my ear. “Watch what he's willing to do for me.”

My heart seizes in my chest. This can't be happening. After everything, Kaden can't seriously be considering...

“I made my choice long ago,” Kaden says quietly. He looks at Cassie. “My loyalty has always been to my daughter.”

Ethan's eyes lock with mine. A silent apology. A goodbye.

Cassie practically vibrates with anticipation.

“Do it, Daddy,” she urges. “Let's be a real family again.”

For one breathless, endless moment, Kaden goes utterly still.

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