Page 31 of Sinister Lies

It was Father.

Samara staggered back, rushing to pull up her jeans and secure them back in place. Father’s eyes grazed over her for only a brief moment before finding the blades and gun scattered across the floor, and then Jace tied to the chair.

“I warned you boys what would happen if you disobeyed me,” his threatening tone quaked, submerged with unprecedented rage. “Go home.Now.And you two,” he hissed, motioning between Samara and Jace with two fingers. “You’re coming with me.”

Fifteen

Xavier

Igroundmyteethand continued to glare out at the road as I drove, my knuckles white thanks to how hard I was gripping the wheel. I fucking knew this would happen. That they’d go behind my back and force my hand. I knew it the moment I saw the looks on their faces when I gave them the order to back the fuck off.

My phone started ringing beside me in the passenger seat. It took me no time answering it when I saw it was Griffin.

“Where the fuck are you?” I asked in a venomous hiss.

“Home,” he replied. “Damien let me go early. Is everything okay?”

“No. We have a problem, dear nephew. A big one. How soon can you get to the house?”

“I’m on my way.”

“Don’t kill her,” Jace burst out in a plea from the backseat when I hung up, making my eyes dart up to the rearview mirror for what felt like the hundredth time since we hit the road. Samara’s head still rested against his chest while Jace’s arms remained wrapped around her, holding on out of fear that this would be their last night here together on Earth. “If anyone has to die or get hurt, let it be me,please.Just let Samara go.”

“Nobody is going to die or get hurt, Jace,” I replied calmly given my irate mood. “You’ve proven to be a man of your word, so in exchange, you have mine.”

Jace didn’t look convinced, but he’d soon come to realize that I was an honorable man when it came to my word. I understood his wariness. He’d be an idiot not to be. After everything he’s been through, I wouldn’t trust me either if it were me in his shoes.

“Where are you taking us?”

I swallowed, briefly adjusting my sight off the road again to gaze into the mirror, watching as Samara peeled herself away from Jace to cautiously gawk out the tinted window, her expression impassive. It was painful seeing her again after all these years, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bring me great joy. It was her hair, her eyes, just…everything. She looked so much like Lily it was unreal.

Princess… It’s me. Daddy.

I’m so sorry. I’ve missed you. I love you…

“Somewhere safe,” I stated firmly, clearing my throat as I caught Jace’s narrowed eyes observing me intently. I steered my attention back to the road and activated my blinker, preparing to make the next turn into the driveway. “Also, I cannot apologize enough for Phantom and Isaac’s insolence. They were given strict orders not to apprehend you two.”

“Wait a minute,” Jace jeered, his eyes widening so big it had to hurt. “You knew about Sa—”

“I’ll explain everything soon. First, let’s get you two inside.”

They offered each other the same skeptical look before they tilted their heads to the side, surveying the front windshield. A bewildered knot formed between their brows as they took in the two-story, ranch-style home within the distance.

Far ahead was a security gate that blocked out the view of the full landscape. But it failed to hide the three blacked-out SUVs parked in front of the two-car garage.

Good. Phantom and Isaac were here. Griffin should be arriving shortly.

“Don’t worry,” I said, taking in their startled, furious glares. “You’ll be safe. I promise.”

Hitting the brakes, I pulled up to the gate, then smacked the button to my window. I punched in the passcode and in less than a minute the gate opened, and we were through.

I got out of the car first and Samara followed, reaching out to help Jace. He shook his head, protesting.

“But your leg,” she argued, her face pinched with concern.

“Don’t worry about me, Kitten. I’ll be fine. Sometimes the weak have to fight through the pain in order to come out strong.”

“You’re not weak,” she contested again, bellowing out a frustrated breath as Jace waved her off a second time and tenderly planted his feet on the ground, wincing. “You’re injured. You were shot in the leg and beaten to a bloody pulp.”

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