Page 126 of Seeking Shadows

"So you're saying I could've just ignored the trauma?" I huff, shaking my head. "Great. Wish I'd known that before uprooting my entire life—would’ve saved me the trouble of packing."

Kyle chuckles, and for a moment, silence settles between us. A comfortable silence.

Liam, still wedged between Kyle’s legs, is lost in his drawings, unconcerned with the rest of the world.

Then Kyle speaks again, surprising me.

“I always thought you blamed me for Dad’s death.”

“I blame myself more than I blame you.”

“Why?”

“I told him you were out that night.”

Kyle frowns. “He said he tracked us.”

“He only knew where to look because I told him you guys left. And because of me, he never came back.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Zane. It was the cartel’s fault. And trust me, if I could return the favor to Nico Riviera by taking something precious from him, I would.”

The way he says it makes my stomach twist. I forget that most of Evermore doesn’t know the truth—that Seth is Nico’s son.

That Nico doesn’t even know Seth is alive.

Would Kyle still say that if he knew? Would he really hurt Seth?

“They’re all rotten,” Kyle continues. “I’d kill them all.”

“Not all of them are rotten,” I snap, unable to help myself.

Kyle looks at me, confused, before assuming, “You must have met Laura.”

I don’t correct him.

“She’s tolerable,” he admits. “But she wasn’t raised by Nico. Ceci did that. I can’t imagine any child raised by him being anything less than abominable.”

My jaw clenches.

Mia isn’t abominable.

She’s kind. She’s good. She’s the best person I’ve ever met.

I want to scream it at him, but I can’t. Not without exposing Seth’s secret. And suddenly, I understand why Seth keeps it hidden. Because they wouldn’t understand. Because to them, he would always be the destruction Nico left behind.

My phone rings, and I exhale in relief. I hate keeping secrets from my brother, and this one feels heavier than most.

“Zane, I think Mia’s a little tired,” Laura’s voice says calmly.

“I’ll come get her,” I reply, hanging up.

I turn to Kyle. “I have to go.”

He nods. I hesitate before hugging him, pressing a kiss to Liam’s paint-streaked cheek.

Abby looks a little sad as I say goodbye, but she hides it with a smile—like always. I smile back and promise to return.

But I don’t know if I can.

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