Page 177 of Without a Trace
But I didn’t ask it yet. I hesitated. Glanced across the flames, then down at the edge of my blanket. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about Brielle?”
That landed hard.
Rhett went still, glass mid-air. Zeke looked off like he suddenly had to count raindrops. Alden sat up straighter, the fire catching on his jaw.
“She was,” I said, voice low, “like lightning. Like she belonged to all of you. But none of you ever said a word.”
Trace’s fingers flexed against my thigh.
“I figured it out, you know. There’s more history there than casual hookups.”
No one denied it.
I took another swig. Let the firelight do its worst.
“She felt like a warning,” I said. “Or a ghost. I just haven’t figured out which one yet.”
The wind shifted. Rain tapped the edge of the firepit.
I let the moment settle, then leaned in again, eyes flicking to Rhett. “Okay. Back on track. You survived your turn. Congrats.”
His hand slapped his chest in mock relief.
I just took another drink and laughed like none of it mattered.
These boys had been sent to watch me. Warned about me. Bound to something they never asked for.
But they stayed.
And I needed to know why.
I tilted the bottle. One last question. My voice was quieter this time.
“If it came down to it,” I said, eyes locked on the flames. “Would you leave the Order for me?”
The fire cracked.
Kane blinked like he wasn’t sure he heard me right.
Zeke didn’t move.
Rhett exhaled through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck. “Scar…”
“Don’t soften it,” I said. “Answer it.”
Zeke hesitated, then answered. “The bond isn’t something the Order can overwrite. Blood oaths don’t mean shit compared to that. You’re not just a girl or an heir anymore. You’re the fucking storm they were afraid of.”
I stared at him. “So you’re saying yes.”
“I’m saying they were idiots to think they could control it.”
Kane whistled low. “Well, shit.”
Rhett looked over at me. “It’s not about leaving the Order, Scar. It’s about surviving what comes after.”
“I didn’t ask about survival,” I said. “I asked about choice.”
Alden’s hand found mine—without a word, just there, rough palm against my fingers like he couldn’t not touch me.
