Page 85 of The Devil's Hunt

"But do you? Because you're not being smart, parading aroundwith Mila like she's above The Brotherhood. Your father may look the other way, but mine and Theo’s won't. We are only here by their mercy. We move when they order us to. We respect their traditions, and we never question their commands."

“Goddamn it, Kai! Milaisabove The Brotherhood. She’s above you, me, the whole fucking legacy!” I roared, feeling my control slipping away as I slammed him against the wall, the impact causing a picture frame to fall and shatter against the marble floor.

Kai's eyes widened in shock as he steadied himself against the wall, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of fear and understanding.

“To you, she is. But do you think they care? Will you be able to watch all of them take her in front of you? She will be passed around like a toy to show you whoyoubelong to. They won't stop until she's broken, and you know it. She may be above all of this, but you aren’t. You chose to bring her into our world and knew the price she would have to pay. I'm trying to protect her too, even if you're too blinded by your feelings to see the truth," he whispered, his voice laced with desperation.

I released my grip on him, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. Despite our heated argument, deep down, I knew Kai was right. The Brotherhood's traditions were archaic and brutal, but defying them meant losing Mila’s and my life in the process.

"I'll talk to Mila," I finally conceded, my jaw clenched tight with resolve. "But if anything happens to her..."

"We'll do everything in our power to keep her safe," Kai interjected, his expression solemn as he straightened his jacket. "Just remember our duty. Our loyalty lies with The Brotherhood above all else. But my loyalty lies with you. Theo and I are with you. I just want to make sure you are prepared for the consequences if you defy our fathers."

As Kai left, the weight of his words hung heavy in the air around me. I knew he was right, but the thought of betraying Mila made my stomach churn with guilt. She had become more than just a part ofmy life; she was my everything. And yet, The Brotherhood demanded sacrifices that I was not sure I could make. But if I didn’t, she would be destroyed, not by me. Not willingly. I knew her. She would fight, and they would punish her for my defiance.

I foundMila still asleep when I came back into the room. Her peaceful expression softened the turmoil raging within me. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, my heart aching at the thought of what could await her if I didn't act. The weight of my responsibilities pressed down on me, threatening to crush me under their immense burden.

Mila stirred slightly, her eyelashes fluttering as she slowly woke up. Meeting her gaze, I saw trust and affection reflected in her eyes, making it even harder to contemplate the inevitable conversation we needed to have. How could I explain the dark reality hidden behind the façade of our seemingly idyllic life together?

Taking a deep breath, I started to speak, hesitating for a moment as if the words themselves were a betrayal. "Mila, we need to talk about something important."

Her brow furrowed in concern as she sat up, giving me her full attention.

“What’s wrong?" Her voice was soft, filled with a tenderness that made my heart ache.

“I want to talk about who I belong to and what that means for you,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. “I think it’s important for you to understand what it entails before you choose me.”

Mila’s expression shifted, a flicker of apprehension crossing her features. “And what does it entail?”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves before continuing. “The Brotherhood has certain traditions and ceremonies that we must uphold. And tomorrow night is one of those ceremonies.”

Mila’s eyes widened in realization, a shiver running down herspine. “What kind of ceremony?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s...complicated,” I began, struggling to find the right words. “It’s about loyalty. About...sharing.”

Her gaze searched mine, sensing the gravity of the situation. “Sharing?”

I nodded, the weight of my confession heavy on my shoulders. “It’s a part of our allegiance to The Brotherhood. We...we share partners to show our devotion, to prove our unity.”

Understanding dawned in Mila’s eyes, a mixture of shock and disbelief clouding her features. “You mean...” she trailed off, unable to voice the implications of my words.

“Yes, with Kai and Theo,” I confirmed softly. “And tomorrow night, at The Ceremony, we will be expected to participate. It’s a tradition that has been ingrained in our families for years.”

Mila's silence was deafening, her gaze shifting from me to the walls closing in around us. I could see the turmoil brewing behind her eyes, the clash between her love for me and the reality of the world we were part of.

“I had no idea,” she finally whispered, her voice barely audible in the heavy air of the room. “Is this what you want?”

The question hung between us, laden with more weight than I could bear. How could I admit that my desires were inconsequential compared to the demands of The Brotherhood? That my heart belonged to her, but my duty was sworn to a legacy built on sacrifice and submission?

“Fuck no. It’s not about what I want,” I replied, the truth bitter on my tongue. “It’s about what is expected of us, of me.”

Mila’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, the hurt and betrayal evident in her gaze. “And what am I in all of this? Just a pawn in your game with The Brotherhood?” Her voice trembled with anger and sadness, the raw emotion tearing through the fragile façade of our life together.

“No, Mila. Never,” I protested, reaching out to hold her hands inmine. “You’re not just a pawn. You’re...” I faltered, unable to find the right words to soothe the pain radiating from her.

“A sacrifice?” she finished for me, her voice laced with bitter resignation.

I closed my eyes, unable to meet her accusing stare. “I should have told you earlier. I should have prepared you.”

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