Page 14 of Paper Thin Love

“Then find another. Find a crutch,” Damian growls.“Find someone you can trust. Make them fear you. Use them, bend them.”

“You make it sound like I’m a Jedi who can summon the force. Like you said, everyone is going to want a piece of me.”

“So give them a piece. Play smart and think for once, Dash.” Titan snaps impatiently.

I feel the weight of his words; they tumble onto my shoulders, each letter carrying significance. He’s got a point.

Use someone. Break them after I use them so they can’t gossip about my weakness.

A king doesn’t simply claim a throne with a smile. He needs an army, spies, and, most of all, muted morals.

The hand that helps you? Well, sometimes you have to sever it, or that same hand can stab you in the back.

I need to find a hand that I can easily break when I’m done using it.

“I’m going to turn into him, my father,” I ashamedly admit to them. A disgusting laugh slips from my lips,“We’re all destined to become the men we hate. Do you think our sons will feel the same way?”

Silence. Truth has a way of doing that. Shutting everyone up.

“We have each other to make sure we don’t become them,” Damian finally replies.“I will never be my father, and if you see me turning into him, then you better kill me.”

“We have each other, and that will never change. No matter the distance or pain. We will always have each other’s backs,” Titan assures me. He's always been the leader of our group. The voice of reason that can penetrate Damian and me when the noise in our heads tries to consume us.

“We love you,” Damian admits wholeheartedly. "You're my brother, and I refuse to lose you."

If his dad heard him utter such words, he’d kill him on the spot. Kings don’t love. It’s the one thing we can’t afford.

“A King’s love kills, Damian. You know that better than most.”

“Dash,” Titan warns me.“Don’t think that making us angry will make us turn our backs on you. We do love you, and I know you’ll survive this. We all have tests ahead, and in the end, we will survive. Promise us right now you will never stop fighting; do it for us."

I know what he's begging me to do. Titan wants me to fight so that one day, the three of us can take down our fathers.

"I won't give up again," I mutter.

"Our fathers think breaking us allows them to mold us, so let's let them think that. We'll break, but we will sculpt our molds, not them. One day, we will have the power. Live to see that day," Titan adds with a hunger in his words.

The pilot’s voice interrupts the call, blasting through the headphones and announcing my imminent landing.

“I've got to go,” I tell them.“I...” I want to tell them I love them too, but I’ve only ever told one person that, and they ended up dying. I think confessing my love is a curse of death. So instead, I say,“I miss you both.” Before they can reply, I end the call.

I still clutch the envelope my father left for me when I entered the helicopter. As we begin our descent, I rip it open.

A photo slides out. Five lifeless faces stare back at me, a silent accusation in their eyes. I recognize them, the ones who shattered my leg, the ones who gave me what I asked for.

I read Dad’s note,

If you feel guilt over this, you’re still thinking like a man. I need you to think like a King. Hurry up; power waits for no one. Your actions have repercussions, and remember, you are not just responsible for yourself, Dash; you have to consider others now.

Dad’s note is a cold reminder of the ruthless world I’ve been born into.Guilt is a luxury I can’t afford, not if I want to survive. He must be referring to my cousins; I wouldn’t put it past him to threaten Titan or Damian; he and my uncles have done it before.

With a deep breath, I steel myself for what lies ahead. Titan is right. I can play the long game and suffer through the tests my father throws my way. I just have to keep the goal in sight: controlling my future and my father. Power waits for no one, and I refuse to be left behind.

***

“We will have doctors, nurses, and a full physical therapy staff here on campus for you. Your leg rehabilitation has been added to your class schedule. You'll be up and running in no time. Here at Silverstone Preparatory, we desire to make our students comfortable, well-educated, and—”

I stop listening. If I hear“Silverstone Preparatory” one more time, I’m going to purposefully break my leg again so I can get the fuck out of here.

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