Page 86 of Vendetta

But Cashton didn’t so much as spare me a glance, his features hard and eyes locked onto Kaptan across the room. Had I missed something?

Kaptan stared right back, the two of them in a standoff as an awkward silence took over the space. I made no move to leave Cashton’s side, remaining behind him as he took a defensive stance.

It felt like forever before Cashton finally spoke first.

“How long?”

The tension was palpable, both of their features cold as stone.

“Cashton–” Kaptan started, Cashton quickly cutting him off.

“How long have you been a part of them?”

My eyes shot up to the man I loved. “Cashton, what’s going on? What are you talking about?”

Cashton’s eyes remained on Kaptan as he answered me, a threat hanging in the air between them.

“I had my suspicions the morning that we found your father dead. Kaptan was the only person other than me to see the video. He noticed the same part that I had caught on to. And he knew that I was planning to go see Arthur the next day and askquestions. So he got there first to shut him up before I could. Isn’t that right, Kaptan?”

Kaptan only remained silent, the gun held stiffly at his side. His face was impassive, not betraying any emotion.

“And then today,” Cashton continued. “How else could he have known that they would lure me out here?”

My mind whirled. I faced Cashton once more.

“But I texted him… When he didn’t answer my call, I sent him a text. Look–”

I pulled out my phone, opening my messages.

LANDRY:Cashton’s in trouble, I need your help. Please call me back, it’s an emergency!

Cashton was right. I had never told him where I was headed. He must have figured it out and raced here after receiving my text.

“It’s not what you think,” Kaptan finally responded.

“How long!” Cashton screamed, his rage cracking his cool facade. I flinched at the hardness of his tone.

“A long time,” Kaptan’s words were solemn.

Kaptan was a part of the group that just tried to kill us? I felt like I might faint. It was Cashton’s turn to remain silent, clearly coming to terms with the confirmation he just received.

“Did you know about Emory?”

“No,” Kaptan’s cold expression didn’t budge, though truth shone in his eyes. “They knew it would have been too personal. I didn’t find out about the Order’s involvement until around the same time you did.”

The Order? What the hell was that? A different question jumped to the forefront of my mind.

“What about my mom?” I spoke up.

Kaptan finally looked my way, his black eyes meeting mine. I saw a hint of sorrow cross his features, and I had my answer. A lump appeared in my throat as I tried to forcibly swallow it down.

“I’m sorry,” he admitted, “It wasn’t my call.”

I looked away from him, not wanting him to see the tears threatening to fall. He had known, ever since that first day at the pool party. He had looked me in the face all of this time, aware that whatever organization he was a part of had murdered my mother.

“Why?” Cashton asked, tone cold.

“Cashton, this is bigger than you think. You both need to get out of here. Get out of the country, even just for a few months until all of this dies down. The Order doesn’t bother with threats, they go straight for the kill. And you both poked the beehive when you started looking into everything a little too close.”

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