Page 70 of Among the Sins of my Father

My hands grip the wheel tightly. I’m driving idiotically fast. My eyes keep flicking to the rear vision mirror, but I don’t know what I’m looking for. All I can think about is Berkley, and the moments that have ticked by since Barrett confirmed she was at the Gormans’ house.

Hope sits beside me. She’s quiet, and has barely said a word since we got into the car. I tried to stop her. I told her it would be better if she stayed behind but she wouldn’t listen. No doubt her mind is obsessed with finding Ette, just as mine is obsessed with Berkley.

The tale Barrett told when he returned from scoping out the Gorman home wasn’t easy to listen to. He was there only to find out the number of guards stationed around the place, hidden and otherwise. Maybe he’d get a glimpse of the cameras. But the information he came back with chilled me to the bone. I wanted to leave there and then. I wanted to storm inside, kill everyone in sight and run away with Berkley in my arms. Because while Michael and his father were outfitted in their finery, sitting at the table of my poker game, the monster dragged Berkley to a car and drove her away.

But Hope and Barrett had convinced me otherwise. They said we needed to assemble a team. They said we needed to be prepared so we didn’t put either Berkley or Ette in any further danger. I knew they were right. But that still didn’t mean I liked it.

I spent the entire night pacing the floor of my bedroom, an ever-dwindling bottle of whiskey in my hand. Everything reminded me of her. The stained-glass window that was supposed to be in honor of Hope, now only made me think of Berkley. It was as though I could see her there, her skin tinted by the colors of the glass, her finger tracing the etching of the swans. My bed smelled of her. My sofa reminds me of the time she climbed on top of me, forgiving my confession. Even the shirt slung over my clothing rack reminds me of her.She’s everywhere. She’s permeated every aspect of my life.

And I will kill anyone who keeps her from me.

The screen on the dash lights with Barrett’s name. Hope’s eyes flick to mine and then she presses accept, knowing my fingers are too tightly wrapped around the wheel to let go.

“Did you manage to find everyone?” I say without preamble. Barrett’s used to my direct manner but even for me, it comes out snappish and stern.

“They’re all here. Ready to go.”

“Good,” I bark. “We’ll be there soon.”

Barrett clears his throat. “We have come across a bit of a problem though.”

“Spit it out, Barrett.”

“They’re having a party.”

“A party?” Hope speaks for the first time since she got in the car.

“It appears it’s Berkley’s birthday. The party is in her honor. It’s masquerade, judging from the people going inside.”

Hope looks at me. I know what she’s thinking. What if Berkley was in on this the whole time? What if she’s happy there? What if I’m a fool?

“Don’t,” I growl.

She turns over a hand, palm up. “What? I didn’t say anything.”

“Sir?” Barrett says.

“I heard you. I’m still coming.”

“But there’s no way we should consider—”

Hope presses the end button. “We’re still doing it, aren’t we?” There’s both anticipation and resignation in her tone.

I nod and push the accelerator down further.

We make a short detour before meeting Barrett at a hidden spot near the Gorman’s house. I’ve changed and am now dressed in a tuxedo; a mask, reminiscent of one worn by the Phantom of the Opera, is clasped in my right hand. It was all they had.

Barrett starts shaking his head before I’ve even fully got out of the car. “They’ve got guards all over the place, dressed as guests. The cameras are operating. There are people everywhere. You can’t go in there.”

“I can and I will.”

Barrett grabs my arm. I freeze, staring at his fingers until he lets go. “There are other ways to do this.”

“I’m not going in there to make a scene, but I am going in there.”

“What if it puts them in even more danger?” Hope says.

I run my hand through my hair, frustration and hesitation controlling my actions. I’m torn.

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