Page 58 of Judgment Day

“I’m sorry, sir. I just thought—”

“I said, is that understood?”

She lowered her eyes to the floor, an act of subservience that I’d never once demanded from her until now. “Yes, sir.”

* * *

Three hours later, I found Mrs. McTavish in Lyric’s old room, making a bed that hadn’t been slept in, in over a year. She still dusted the picture frames and put lavender soaps by the bath every week. I guessed I wasn’t the only one who wished she’d come back.

I carried two cups of tea, handing her one as I approached. “I was out of line earlier.”

I couldn’t blame her for something I’d intentionally kept a secret. She had no idea Sadie was a threat.

She accepted the tea with a small smile. “I’ve seen a lot in my years here, Mr. Van Doren.”Lyric.She took a cautious sip. “I’ve heard a lot.”The Brotherhood.She held the cup with both hands. “And I’ve never breathed a word of it to anyone.” Her gaze held mine. “You can trust me.”

Her words hit me like a bullet to the chest. She was here because my father trusted her, even when they told him he shouldn’t have, even after all the evidence pointed to her husband’s betrayal. My father trusted her. And now she was afraid I didn’t.

I sat on the bed. “Sadie is unstable.”

She sat beside me, placing her hand on my knee, but keeping quiet and allowing me to continue.

“I brought Ciaran here to keep him safe—from her.” I took a breath, not believing I would ever have to say those words. “What she’s been through has changed her.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Or maybe it just magnified who she already was. I don’t fucking know anymore.” I dropped my hand to my lap. “I just know I don’t want her anywhere near my son.” I put my hand on top of hers and squeezed. “It’s not you I don’t trust. It’s her.”

THIRTY FOUR

It had beenthree weeks since I’d learned Sadie had come to my home, and I hadn’t let Ciaran out of my sight for a single moment.

I worked from my study while Isla gave him his lessons. Afterward, we all had dinner together in the dining room, then I went with him into the library and we read. I’d read every book on those shelves at least once, but I’d read them one hundred times if that was what it took to spend time with him. I owed him so much. I had twelve years-worth of debt to repay.

We’d just finished grooming the horses, when I got a call from Chandler.

“Anniston wants you to walk her down the aisle. She said it seems fitting, since you brought her to me in the first place, for you to be the one to give her to me in the end.”

It was an honor I didn’t deserve but gladly accepted. That was my cue. Winston’s time was up. He was lucky I’d let him live this long.

After the phone call, I unleashed Koda and led her back to her stall. Ciaran met me after he finished with Honey.

“It will be late when I get back, so I won’t be able to read tonight,” I told him as we walked back to the main house. I hated the way he looked away from me to hide his disappointment. I ruffled his hair. “I need you to make sure Mrs. McTavish doesn’t leave the fireplace burning.” I leaned in and whispered, “Sometimes, she forgets.” I winked at him.

“Yes, sir,” Ciaran said with a nod.

I liked making him feel important. I remembered how it used to make me feel when my father gave me little tasks that made me feel like a man.Help your mother cut the lamb. Show the groundskeeper the rotten tree. Watch over the house while I’m gone.

“Tomorrow, we’ll take them for a ride.” I smiled when he looked up at me with hopeful eyes. “You can even have Honey.”

“You think she’s ready?”

I draped my arm over his shoulder and pulled him to my side. “I’m sure she is.”

I hired one of Chandler’s military acquaintances—a guy named Andrew—to keep an eye on the manor while I went to Ayelswick. He had one order: Shoot first. Ask questions later. Sadie hadn’t shown back up, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

I’d also called a Brotherhood meeting at the Sanctuary. Everyone was instructed to attend. No exceptions.

When I got to the mental facility, Maddox waited outside the door of Winston’s room in his usual chair. His booted feet were propped up on a different chair, and from the sound of it, he was watching porn on his phone.

“Fuck, I love Twitter,” he said when he saw me walk up. “It’s a porn playground for people with ADD.” He stood, scraping the second chair across the floor with his foot. “All the ass and pussy you need, thirty seconds at a time.”

I lifted a brow. “I’ll take your word for it.”

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