Page 114 of Ink Deep Devotion

Dash has gone insane trying to trace the unknown number, to no avail. All our leads connected it back to a burner phone paid for in cash. The store had no cameras, so we never got to see who bought the phone.

Marcus licks his lips, nervous again. Every hair on my body is standing up.“Because it’s not Dash’s problem. It’s a trap. One of our enemies wants to capture Dash in exchange for Titan. Dash won’t listen to me, so I’m asking you to tell Titan to look into it. Please don’t let Dash follow the trail.” He implores me as if Dash’s death is already signed, but I’m a deity who can undo what the fates have woven.

“If you know who the enemy is, why can’t you just kill him?” I lean forward, digging my elbows into the table.

Marcus looks down, his voice barely audible as he whispers,“Because it’s not my Rite to pass.”

I tilt my head, leaning so close that the table digs into my stomach.“Your what?” Rite? Like a ritual?

Marcus's throat rolls like dumbbells at a gym thrown onto a rubber mat, heavy bounces up and down until gravity wins, and he speaks again.“I’ve said too much. You ask me to say more, and they will kill us both.”

“The enemy?”Who are you so scared of, Uncle?

He shakes his head.“No, the people pulling our strings. Damian, this is a game, and you need to wake up and realizetheyare not playing. They are sitting back and watching us. Judging. Do. Not. Fail. Or all of you, your cousins, that girl, everyone you love is dead.” He straightens his spine. "Tell Dash to let Titan handle this.”

“You’re asking me to lie?”

“I’m asking you to keep him safe!” he snaps, a vein in his neck bulging. “Tell Titan to look into it.” He repeats as he raises the tea, speaking into the cup,“I’m trying to help you.” He whispers, his eyes looking around the coffee shop like someone is spying on us.

The barista is busy making another coffee, her head down, eyes focused. Is it her? Or is it the table of two older women eating the freshly baked cookies that they disgustingly dunk into their cold coffee?

“And kill Titan in return?” How can he pick and choose who lives and dies?

“Titan is stronger than you think.” Marcus looks back at Isabella again. “I know we haven’t been good fathers, but I need you to know it wasn’t something we wanted to do.” He looks mein the eye.“It wasn’t something I wanted. I wanted to love you boys.”

“So why didn’t you?”

“Because you’d fight for us.’His voice is so thick with a pained exhale that it manages to tug at my heart. This isn’t a trick; it’s a confession, a last attempt.“You’d try to change the outcome. You can’t fightthembecause one day, we need you to become them.”

“The people controlling you?”

He just shrugs.

“What outcome are you referring to?”

“You can’t know yet. I can’t allow you to change it. The end is written, Damian. I need you to accept it like I have. I’m ready for what’s to come. I need to know you will help Dash when he faces it, too.”

“We’ve had enough of your mind games!”

“I know.” He reaches across the table for my hand.“I’m proud of you, boys. I wish I could tell Dash that. He’d never believe it, but I am. You survived and endured more than we thought you could. You paid for all our sins.”

He stands and grabs my shoulder.“Thank you.” Then he leans down and hugs me as if this is a final goodbye.

“I’ll see you at dinner tonight.” He squeezes my shoulder too tightly.

I almost grasp his hand back, but I don’t. I just watch him walk away, leaving me alone at the table with the book he bought. With shaking fingers, I grab the bag and pull the book out to see what he bought.

Greek Myths. Each chapter is a story, one I’ve heard time and time again—tragic tales of heroes who didn’t pay attention to the details.

Chapter 38

Mila

“Don’t do it.” I struggle to convince myself as I tiptoe across the garage floor, my gaze landing on the door Damian mentioned. I grasp the handle, twisting it, hoping for resistance, but it gives way effortlessly.

Why did Damian tell me about this room?

I cautiously walk in, holding my breath, my fingers tracing the wall for the light switch. Click. Lights blind me, then my vision adjusts and…“Oh, Dash….” I gasp when I look at the walls.

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