Page 16 of Reign By Wrath

Alistair shot to his feet. “No, it’s not over. Ronin will get to this kid. He’ll offer Langston more than Starling could ever give him. He’ll recant and—”

“I don’t think he will,” I said softly, lips trembling. “I’ve seen the kind of blackmail they hold over the members’ heads. Their every little secret from black to light gray. Whatever Everleigh has on Connor, it has to be terrible for him to confess to a crime like this. I’m sorry, Dad.”

He snapped to me, eyes wide.

“We lost.”

Alistair dropped to his knees, holding his head. Every emotion cycled across his face, each more heart-wrenching than the last. I felt everything he was feeling inside, though it didn’t show. I was horribly used to being outmaneuvered by Everleigh Starling.

“No.”

It took me a minute to realize the hoarse croak that came from him was a word.

“We haven’t lost.” Alistair pushed up to his feet, eyes heavy with a darkness I’d only seen from one other person. Me when I looked in the mirror.

“Tell me your plan.”

***

ISTEPPED ONTO THEdock, shading my eyes against the piercing glare. I turned and there she was, giving me a smile that every mom perfected—laced with equal parts love and worry.

We took off running.

I jumped in Mom’s arms, smothering in her peach perfume and the scent of fresh laundry. She hugged me so tight my bones creaked.

“Oh, my baby. My sweet girl.” She peppered my face with kisses. “Even though I knew you were okay, it killed me seeing the news reports the last few days. It brought e-everything back.”

I squeezed her just as hard, breaking under the same grief.

“I’m so sorry we fought, baby. I never meant to shut you out. I was struggling with your choice to stay, and I didn’t know how to speak to you and not beg you to reconsider every time.”

“I know, Mom,” I whispered. “I understand more than ever now all that you’ve given up to keep me and Winter safe.”

“Eloise.”

We turned, facing Alistair as he stepped off the boat. He lit on my mom like she was the only one there.

“My goodness, woman, you’re gorgeous.”

My mother did something she’s never done in my eighteen years of life.

Burst out giggling.

I suddenly found myself off to the side, staring at the shocking spectacle of her neon-red cheeks.

“Oh, Al,” she said, patting her perfect bun and straightening her dress. “It’s good to see you too.”

“When are you going to stop all this and run away with me?”

More giggling. More needless fussing with her clothes.

“Behave,” she said in a tone that was supposed to sound scolding but wasn’t at all. “I’m a married woman.”

“True. Better hop on the boat quickly before he gets here.”

Her husband in question was coming down the dock after parking the car, moving fast like he heard my father’s comment. Unlike my first meeting, he looked at Alistair with recognition—which made sense. Jack knew he could make a marriage deal with Martha that would protect me and give her everything she wanted. He had a lost Burkhardt heiress eating pancakes at the dining table every morning.

“Hello, Alistair.” Jack fell in beside Mom, snaking a possessive arm around her waist. “Thank you for taking care of our Luna.”

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