Page 49 of Into The Darkness

Rain joined the conversation. “And let’s not forget that Walsh wants Ash dead just the same despite us safeguarding him all these years. Remember last year when Johnny was at the helm of the Den, and the Alphas ambushed us at the bonfire?”

My father’s nod was deliberate as we all recollected the almost fatal incident from the previous year. Historically, the leader’s life was on the line during the bonfire event. Both crews would set up undisclosed campsites in the woods, indulging in revelry until midnight when the hunt for the rival leader would begin. Killing the opposing leader symbolized the culmination of one’s journey within the fraternity.

It was a rite of passage, but last year, things went awry. Instead of pursuing Johnny, Walsh seemed hell-bent on targeting me directly, as if nursing a personal grudge. I had been trapped within the Alphas’ stronghold for an hour, until Rain risked everything to extract me, smashing through the backdoor to secure my escape.

“The tradition dictates that the two leaders settle the score through combat,” my father replied in response to Rain’s input.

“I don’t get what happened then last year, Dad.” I butt in because, to this day, he wouldn’t tell me why the attack felt more personal than any other year had.

“I want Walsh almost dead when I get here but surviving enough that he understands he is tortured by the hands of his enemies. I want you to use the girl to reel him out. Play on his weakness.”

“We spoke about this earlier, Father.” I hated that he constantly repeated things like he did when I was a child.

“But whatever you do, you need to understand your role in this,” my father seethed, leaning toward me while playing with the small gold ring he wore on his pinky finger. “When the time comes, you are not allowed to protect the girl. She is a pawn in our game. End of story.”

I nodded slowly, not wanting to look at Rain because I knew he knew.

“Don’t worry, Boss. Ash has already told us the plan with the girl,” Pico chimed in, and I was grateful he had.

“Thank you for the lovely visit, Father,” I responded when I glanced over and saw Ember walking toward us.

“Fuck,” I muttered, but my father heard the movement and turned around to lock eyes with the one woman who would ruin his plan. The way she moved so innocently and delicately down the hallway toward me, I knew I could never put her in harm’s way.

“And who is this beautiful young woman?” my dad said, standing. Fucking asshole. We all knew who she was. My father had been studying her for years.

Ember walked through the room, and I opened my arm, and she strode right into it.

“This is my father, Mr. Ortiz.”

“Hello, Mr. Ortiz. It is a pleasure to meet you,” she said, letting go of me and going to shake his hand. I ground my teeth when my father’s hand touched hers. My jaw clenched when his gaze traced over an old high school football shirt of mine.

My eyes locked onto Rain, telegraphing a plea for assistance. We might not share blood, but in some unexplainable way, we could always grasp each other’s needs. It was how he rescued me from the Alphas’ clutches last year—a strange cosmic alignment that defied logic, as bizarre as it might sound.

“What is your name, sweet girl?” my dad asked.

“Ember Solis. I am . . . a friend of your son’s.” An innocent smile was plastered on her face. She knew our families were brutal enemies, and I bet that sweet little brain of hers was trying to come up with a way to kill him with kindness.

“Ember has to go, Dad.” I stood up from my chair, and Ember glanced back at me with furrowed brows.

“She can stay so we can get to know each other,” my father pressed.

Ember glanced at me, then back to my dad. “Thank you for the thought, but I must go to visit with my brother, Walsh, now.” I cringed at his name coming off her lips. Grabbing her hand, I pulled her from the room and down the hallway that led to the front door.

“Why fucking engage him?” I asked through clenched teeth.

“What do you mean?”

“You know that we can never be friends, Ember. You know that my father and your father fucking hate each other.”

“But you told me that Isles is a neutral territory. I thought maybe if I introduced myself, I could show him that we mean no harm. This feud that has been happening for years between our families can finally stop.”

My temper flared, and I leaned down, struggling to contain my anger. The situation was pushing all the wrong buttons—my father’s unexpected visit, Ember’s unrealistic optimism, and the whole absurdity that it had nothing to do with either of us.

“Just fucking leave!” I screamed, having zero control over my emotions as the weight of it all came crashing over me. I was fucking done.

Then her bottom lip quivered, and her eyes welled with tears.

“Fine.” She straightened the shirt she was wearing over the dress from yesterday. “I will.”

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