Page 46 of Deadly Rival

Sebastian

“Right. Kendrick is atmy place. It don’t look good, mate.”

Jacob’s words hammer down as we approach his door. There’s that broad accent again. Not a good sign.

“Kendrick? Why?”

“He wants a word with you before the meeting, and for us to walk in together. A united front. He’s really stickin’ his neck out for you. Try not to do anything else fucking stupid.”

Like texting Ophelia’s dad and brother detailed pictures showing exactly how I’m degrading her? Like that?

Shit.

Jacob opens his door, and I follow him inside. The place has transformed from the miserable man pad it once was. Quinn’s quirky personality screams at me from every available surface, from the gloomy stuffed deer and boar heads to the gaming merch to the colorful pop art on the walls.

Kendrick, thunder-faced in his ever-present dark suit, looks like a funeral director in a playground. He’s seated at the dining room table, glaring at his phone, and his head snaps up when we enter. “About time. What kept you?”

I resist the urge to hide behind Jacob and meet his glare head on. “Just getting my Ward settled, sir. It’s still early days.”

“And those days might be numbered, along with your own, if this meeting doesn’t go our way.”

Ourway.

It’s shameful how much relief that one word brings.Our.The big man, as Jacob calls him, has my back.

For now.

“Sit. We don’t have long.”

Jacob and I take our seats as Kendrick sets down his phone. He looks out of place with technology, as ridiculous as that sounds in the Brotherhood Compound. He seems like he’d order horses to be saddled. Ravens to be sent.

Christ, I’m spiraling, thoughts dissolving into nonsense as my heart races. Deep breaths. Deep fucking breaths.

“There’s been a development, and it’s not good. You both know Anthony Harker?”

Jacob nods as I force my whirling brain to concentrate. The connection clicks into place. A youngish Brother working on something in computing. He works in my building and keeps to himself. I don’t want to ask the next question, but I have to. “Yes. What about him?”

“His mother and father were attacked last night. Men broke into their home, battered them, and left them tied up. His father will pull through, but it’s touch and go for his mother. They’re in our hospital now. The Calders claimed responsibility early this morning.”

It’s a punch straight to the gut. My fault. My stupidity. My drive for revenge. I knew this might happen. Didn’t I? Yes, but that doesn’t come close to the brutal reality.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter, and Kendrick shakes his head.

“That’s not worth much. I also received a second message from Randall Calder at eight this morning. He doesn’t just want his daughter back. He wants you, Sebastian. Alive or dead.”

Right around the time I sent my message. The ever-present dice in my head roll, falling out just as I predicted. My message raised the stakes, and now my life hangs on how highly the Brotherhood value it. Exactly as I planned. Mission accomplished.

Fuck.

“Of course, I have no intention of letting that happen. You’ve acted in the most thoughtless, callous way possible, but even though you’re yet to be initiated fully, you’re still a Brother. It’s a sacred bond, and I won’t see it sullied to pander to this criminal scum.”

See? Ravens.

Focus.

Kendrick’s gaze sears me. “Not everyone will be of the same mind. This meeting is a fight for your life. When called to speak, focus on the ancient dignity and tradition of the Brotherhood. Don’t try to argue what you did was correct—it wasn’t—but call on your Brothers to honor their duty anyway. We are all flawed.”

Kendrick? Flawed? I doubt it. But I nod anyway. “Yes, sir. I understand.”

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