Page 83 of Seeking Shadows

Still, I forced the words out. "I'm loyal to you, Papá."

He studied me, eyes dark and calculating, before stepping closer, his presence suffocating. "La lealtad no se dice, se demuestra. And so far, all I see are loose ends and half-truths."

My throat tightened. "I haven't lied to you."

Nico took another drag, exhaling smoke through his nose like a dragon about to burn everything to the ground. "Then you won’t mind proving it."

I went still.

His gaze sharpened. "Find out who did this. Bring me a name."

A chill ran down my spine. He wasn’t asking—he was commanding. A test. A trap.

And there was no right answer.

My heart stopped.

Even though I killed Rachel, the deaths of those men weren’t on my hands. That could’ve been Seth. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sought revenge. But no matter what, I would never turn my brother over to our father.

Nico watched me, his expression unreadable, but I knew him well enough to see the warning in his silence. He was waiting, measuring my hesitation like a butcher weighing meat.

"I will," I lied.

Nico let out a low laugh, blowing smoke into the air. “Don’t lie to me, Mia.” He tilted his head, his eyes analyzing me like a predator. “I know you better than anyone. I know when you're lying.”

I wanted to argue, but my throat was closed.

He took another step forward. “And I also know when someone is working in the shadows.”

“Dad,” I said, and he slapped me across the face hard enough that I knew it would leave marks.

"You worthless slut. Sabes lo que le hicieron a tu hermano... and still, you dared to walk among them." His voice was low, venomous, each word dripping with disgust. “I should throw you in the cage. But I already promised you, so I can’t.”

“I’ll be better,” I muttered, suddenly feeling like that little girl again.

“You deserve the pain, Mia,” James said, as he whipped me one more time before entering me from behind. The throbbing pain made me close my eyes.

I was bad. I am wrong.

“I love you, Mia. But he wants me to punish you, darling. It’ll be over soon. You’re my little monster, you know that? Only mine. I’ll keep you with me forever.”

“Please… it hurts.”

“No… my little monster, you don’t feel pain. Pain is erasable. Learn to live without it.” His movements became more brutal.

“Don’t cry. You preferred it to yourself rather than Katie. You know I don’t love her like I love you. I wouldn’t be so delicate with her.”

“Me,” I murmured, my body almost giving in.

It’s not real.

The blood ran cold in my veins.

“If I find out,” he continued, his tone sharp as a blade, “that you’re the reason certain people are disappearing…”

My stomach turned.

He smiled, but it was empty. “I’ll make sure Katie pays the price.”

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