Page 32 of Vengeful Valentine

Tomorrow would start my first day as a student at this backwards ass university that was known for its plethora of suspiciously missing students, its dark past, and a Headmaster with no soul.

But I would do it, if only to be reunited with Ace just a bit sooner.

Surely Silas and Hawk would come around, and if they didn’t, I would just have to make them.

Chapter 18

Ashmine

Hawk didn’t fight Ace or lash back; he simply heaved a shuddering breath before stepping further back from the bed and taking up post next to Silas at the door.

I could see the hesitation, the confusion.

The need to flee.

Hawk was a runner. An escaper. I hadn’t expected Silas to leave him alone, hadn’t expected the outcome of the series of events that led us all to this moment.

But I would pivot. I would put our family back together. Whether they wanted me to or not.

Silas moved mechanically, opening the phone in his hand and starting the video over again.

“Watch this.” He thrust it towards Hawk, before giving me his full attention.

Finally.

Almost two years later.

Nearly twofuckingyears since Silas looked at me with anything besides pain.

Instead he wasconfused.His hands flayed on his pants, his head angled.

The mask, still in place.

I wonder if he would keep the mask on if he knew I picked them out. That I had given them to Ace earlier this week to distribute to the other men to wear. That it was another cog in my scheme for tonight.

Inhibitions waned when we wore our masks. We felt powerful. Stronger.

I hoped it brought them the confidence they needed.

“The Headmaster of St. Valentine’s niece?How?Why didn’t he take you with him sooner?” Silas spit out.

“He was waiting until I turned eighteen, he didn’t want to deal with me before that. But since I am his blood, it is his ‘duty’ to keep me close.” I laughed sardonically.

That whole university was a cesspool of fuckery.

Hawk’s face twisted as the video played out. His eyes widening, his nose flaring, his breath turning erratic.

It was the shortened version, but the original audio was still on it.

It was the video the Headmaster,my uncle, had sent me shortly after William’s untimely demise.

“But instead…I think I want to watch this boy here fuck you. Watch you bleed for him. When it’s done, I’ll rewrite the will as promised. That’s not too much to ask for, is it? Not for my whole life’s earnings?”William’s voicecame from the phone’s speaker. From the video they watched.

Hawk’s hands began to shake.

“You came here for revenge. Because Icheatedon Ace. You heard us talking about me losing my virginity to him. Well, here’s the fucking video. And if you keep watching? You’ll see that I poison William. You’ll then see me watching him die anddoing nothing to stop it. And I don’t regret it,” I spoke evenly, willing my emotions to not seep into my voice.

Silas remained silent, his green eyes darkening as he watched the rest of the video with Hawk.

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