Page 97 of Imperial: The Corvidae Family
“You live for them and you die for them. It’s that simple. That mindset keeps them safe.” His voice dropped. “If you love someone, you’ll make sure that if a choice ever has to be made about life or death?—”
He let that linger before he confirmed…
“They live. You die. That’s the only way it works.”
I didn’t speak, instead just considered his words.
I heard him shift on the other end of the line. “You there, son?”
“Yeah, Pop. I’m here.”
“You understand what I’m telling you?”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah. I do.”
The silence between us lingered and his next words hit harder than anything else.
“Are you willing to be the choice when it comes to her?”
I sat with that.
Was I?
I thought about Baylyn.
Her smile.
The way she challenged me, calmed me, wanted me, trusted me.
The way she felt in my arms, in my bed, in my life.
The way she made me want to be better.
And then I knew.
“Yeah. I’m willing.”
There was no hesitation in my voice because I didn’t feel any.
“Then you’ll be fine.”
I leaned against the wall with my mind feeling at ease. “I appreciate you, Pop.”
“And I love you, son.”
I heard the slight shift in his tone and knew he was proud, but regardless he was also worried.
“Just know, as much as I want you to be that type of man, I know the danger it brings. As proud as I am of you… you’re still my son.”
He didn’t like that I was willing to put my life on the line for the woman I cared about but he would respect the decision.
“You raised me well and trained me even better. I’m always gonna be good.”
His voice was harsh but also soft. “I know, but that won’t stop me from worrying.”
“I love you too, Pop.”
I ended the call, feeling better about my decision because it wasn’t just about this shit with Trent.
