Page 33 of Secret

"Boys, it’s nice to see you," the old man says in a quiet drawl.

He straightens up and walks over so I can see him and I realise it’s Arthur. The fucking owner of The Cage, and he is a complete asshole. The asshole has on a, most likely, thousand pound suit with not a hair out of place. It’s grey, going white at the sides, but kept short. His wrinkled face shows his age more than the cold look his dark eyes give.

Elliot replies coldly,"You’re back."

"Yes, Europe took less time than I thought. Lovely fight tonight, Elliot."

Elliot just nods at me before his gaze goes back to Arthur, and I agree, we need to wrap up this conversation. I’m sure his bodyguards are close, with guns no doubt. I don’t like being unarmed around this son of a bitch.

He looks at me and smiles in that evil, creepy kind of way.Arthur is an evil son of a bitch.

"Blake, when are you going to fight for me? I’ve seen you train. You’re as good as them, and you get to keep the money,"he drawls in that fucking creepy voice he seems to have mastered.

"Not my thing," I say in a bored tone, offering no apology.

His eyes flare for a second in anger, but he quickly hides it. "Ah, well, I'm sure I can change your mind eventually."

"What do you want?" Elliot cuts in sharply.

I know the brothers have nothing but hate for this man, who makes them fight. Arthur controls them, and it’s the price they pay for being born.

"It’s just a chat, Elliot. Well, I am going. Say ‘hello’ to your brothers." He smiles widely, making him look more fucking creepy, and walks back to The Cage.

I unlock the car as Elliot watches Arthur’s bodyguards follow him, and then we both slide in.

After a few minutes of driving, Elliot says, "I don't like it. Arthur looked almost smug, and his timing, coming back when Izzy just got here–it's dangerous if he ever finds out about her."

I agree; he holds what their father did over their heads and makes them fight, but if he knew about Izzy. Well, he would make her pay, too, just for the blood in her system.

"Yeah, he looked smug, but he always does. Arthur can't know about her already, and his kids won't say anything."

“I know they won't," he says with a hint of a threat, but he knows there is little chance they would hurt Izzy.

"You like Izzy, then? She seems cool for a sister." I try and say calmly as I want to say ‘she is a fucking amazing person, and you’re damn lucky to be in her life,’ but I can't.

"I like her. She is honest and cool. But she is friends with Allie, and she makes mistakes."I try not to laugh, but I fail, snorting in laughter, and Elliot glares at me.

Allie and Elliot have hated each other since first school, but I see the way he looks at her. I’ve also seen the countless boys he threatened if they even looked at her.There’s a fine line between love and hate with those two.

"Right," is all I can say between laughs.

"Shut up, man. She is a cold-hearted bitch," he growls.

"Yeah, but a beautiful one. One you have been obsessed with since first school,"I comment, trying not to laugh anymore.

"You fucking know why I can't go there, ever." He stops speaking and looks out the window, grinding his jaw. Yeah, I know, but I think it's a pointless reason, and I hope he realises it sooner, rather than later.

Chapter16

IZZY

When I wake, I roll over. Seeing my red alarm numbers telling me it’s eight in the morning, I press the button to stop the alarm buzzing. I stretch, getting out of bed. Everything is perfect until the memories of last night come flooding back to me, making me gasp. I sit back as I hear the cleaners hoovering outside my room. Knowing they won’t be long until they will want to clean my room, I shower and lightly dry my hair, leaving it down. I dress in skinny jeans, an off-the-shoulder, black top, and my knee-high, black boots. My thought the entire time I get ready is how they didn’t tell me. My anger is full-tempo by the time I walk out of my room. I smile at the little woman who is dusting a picture as I pass her on the stairs.

As I walk into the kitchen, the boys are all sitting around the island, eating bacon and eggs. Luke must have cooked, it never smells this nice if the others try. I look at Elliot first and see the bruises littered all over his face from one or two punches last night, along with his cut lip. A flashback of last night with him covered in blood and looking so dark and lost flashes into my mind, making me shake slightly. I calm myself down by remembering Tris’ words in the car. I have to give them a chance, they won’t hurt me.They could have easily by now.

“Hey, guys,” I say, acting normal as I walk past checking my phone. I smile as I see some cute messages from Blake and Allie. I know I need a minute before I say anything, so I decide to get some of the delicious-smelling food.

“Good morning. You look nice today, sis,” Sebastian says cheerily as he sips his coffee, and the others mumble ‘hello.’

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