Page 85 of Our Lips Are Sealed
Everyone held their breath as they waited for her to get up. But the only movement was the shallow rise and fall of her breathing.
Samuel stared down at her, his facade of indifference slipping. Antagonizing Toby into making a mistake had been dangerous but it permitted the two of them to get into an attack position for when the time was right.
However, any ground gained was lost as Samuel advanced along the fence to where Evie lay. He dropped to his knees, peering through the black iron bars, screaming her name.
Toby coiled an arm around Annabeth’s chest and risked a few precious seconds to check on Evie as well. With his attention occupied, Liam took the chance to steal through a broken piece of fencing. It was narrower than expected, and he reassessed his position when he couldn’t fit, finding a section easily scalable.
Evie remained still, and Samuel’s focus slowly returned. He rose to stand, the scope of his rage engulfing him. “What’s your plan, Tobias?”
The question hung thick in the air with the promise that whatever Toby said next wouldn’t matter. He wasn’t going to walk out of here alive if Samuel was the one to play judge and jury.
And Liam had to ask himself how far he was willing to let Samuel’s retribution go. It was true, a death sentence was what Toby deserved. The crimes committed were that of an animal, and not a human who might be entitled to mercy. Toby would never experience the agony his victims lived through within the legal system. Even a death penalty sentence, if ever achieved, could never provide an appropriate punishment for what he had done.
Tobias Miller would remain comfortable in jail for years, likely to be fawned over by a morbid public. People such as his father would study him, feeding him the attention he so desperately craved.
In his heart, Liam knew it would be Samuel’s wrath that would enact justice for the atrocities committed by his cousin. Toby’s victims suffered in the most horrific ways, dealt undeserving deaths meant to humiliate and strip away their humanity.
Jamison glanced over her shoulder at him as if she could hear his thoughts. Having also sensed the shift in her brother, she’d rolled to her feet to be ready should Samuel make his move.
Liam wanted to tell her to stay out of it, but already knew damn well she wouldn’t listen. His own need to engage burned in his chest, as it did hers, and catching Samuel’s eye, he inclined his head to let him know it was time to end this.
“Or is there no plan?” Samuel hissed through his teeth in a wholly predatorial way. “Maybe you’re just like Charlie, too impulsive and not very smart.”
The sliver of concern Toby held for Evie disappeared, and an inhuman growl rumbled low in his chest.
Samuel cocked an eyebrow. “Oh wait, I almost forgot that it’s not only Charlie’s genes prowling around in you. She’s in there, too,” he said as Toby’s anger grew. “Who knows, maybe you’re finally making her proud with everything you’ve done. Heartlessly killing a bunch of innocent people is right up that bitch’s alley.”
“I am not them,” Toby screamed. “I belonged here. If I had stayed, none of this would have happened.”
“Remember who you’re talking to.” Samuel braced his hands on the fence. “I know you. You’ve always been a sick fuck.”
Toby went quiet, studying Samuel with a tilt of his head. “How did you like my gift?” he asked. “Firewater was the name Laura Jean picked out, wasn’t it?”
“It was a good distraction, but here I am.”
Liam silently cursed himself. He should’ve known Toby set the fire. It fit the profile for a case like this.
“Not as damaging as I’d hoped?”
“Afraid not.”
“Pity.”
“See what I mean.” Samuel leaned forward slightly. “You’re a sick fuck, beyond help.”
Toby relaxed like he was settling in for a chat. “Anyone with Fairweather blood is beyond help. It’s like we’re cursed, you know?”
A high, piercing sound that Liam could only classify as a giggle burst out of Toby’s mouth. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and on the ground, Jamison visibly recoiled at the sound.
“A Fairweather curse,” Toby exclaimed, excited by the thought. “We have that dark need to dominate until the world burns to our satisfaction. If you think about it long enough, you might realize that it’s what binds us as a family, and as much as I would like to think I’m nothing like the rest of you, deep down, I know that’s not true.”
Toby’s laughter ceased, and he moved Annabeth to his left to face Samuel head on. “Selah was the only exception,” he said. “I believe loss is the key ingredient to unlocking that family potential, and I was more than happy to help him along. The streets of Atlanta are such a mess, you know? I hear they have something like over one hundred and fifty car accidents a day.”
The color drained from Samuel’s face, and Jamison scrambled to stand in outrage. For a minute, Liam was concerned she would attempt an attack from behind, but thankfully, she remained where she was, smartly not bringing attention to herself.
“Call me crazy, but I think the idea of a family curse sounds romantic,” Toby said, moving on from his bombshell admission. “Although, you’re probably arrogant enough to think it’s passed you over.”
“I’m not. It’s there,” Samuel assured him. “And you’re about to feel the full force of it.”
