“Always so positive, it’s a marvel considering all the things you have been forced to endure here. I do hope it has been easier for you, now that my son has claimed you. Such a barbaric term, I know, but some traditions are deep within the bones of this place.” I think his smile is trying to be sympathetic, but it screams fake to me. It doesn't reach his eyes, they're too calculating.
“I understand, Sir, tradition is there for a reason.” The words taste like ash in my mouth, and I hate myself for even saying them, but I have to pander to his ego. It’s the safest choice. “Things have been easier… in respect to the girls, of course. Not that your son hasn’t been kind to me. I…” Shit, where am I going with this?
“You do not need to explain, my dear, I understand. As long as he hasn’t hurt you or made you fearful for your safety. That would not help with the stress you are undoubtedly already feeling.” his head tilts slightly to the side. Damn, I almost copy him. It’s like he’s a snake charmer and I’m the… well, I guess the snake. Yeah, I really don’t like that analogy.
“Now, I called you in here for a reason. I know you are set on starting your own bakery, and I admire your determination. I admire your perseverance, especially in such a cutthroat business.” He smiles, but it rubs me the wrong way. Since when has baking been a cutthroat business? “As you know, two positions are opening up in my company, and I am looking to hire from the Academy itself. I would like to offer one of those positions to you. However, instead of marketing, I was thinking more along the business side of things. You could learn from the best, and the money would set you up for life. You wouldn’t even need to touch what you have earned here, if you chose not to do so.”
He smiles like the shark he is, and any sense that he may not have been the bad guy I first thought, it’s gone right out of the window. It’s not his words, although they certainly help, but the gleam in his eye. The way he taps his fingertips together, reminiscent of Mr. Burns from The Simpsons, and the way he peers at me as though there is no way I could possibly refuse. He thinks he owns me. Well, he’s dead wrong.
“Sir, that is unbelievably generous. I can’t even begin to express how much I appreciate it, but…” His smile falls away, as his eyes harden. It’s terrifying, I’m not going to lie to myself. This man is on a whole other level. He could crush me with a blink of an eye, and he probably wouldn’t even flinch or feel remorse afterwards. “The bakery is all I’ve ever wanted. I can’t throw that away, no matter how tempting your offer may be. I hope I haven’t offended you.” I make my voice wobble at the end, not that it takes much effort.
“Of course not, Miss Carter. I respect your decision. You are sticking with your plan, and again, I admire you for that. I can’t say that I am not disappointed, but I do understand. You may leave now.” He flicks his wrist at me, and I stand up, and slowly move backs towards the door.
My head remains bowed until the door is closed, and he’s no longer in my sight. I should feel as though I can finally breathe but really, I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever breathe right again.
Aeron
The day I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived, only the doctor won’t tell me anything unless it’s face to face. That tells me everything I need to know though. He said he can meet with me next week, although I won’t be able to take Luna this time. It should be okay. I mean Emmet, Thallon, and Tucker will be here. What could go wrong?
How does that saying go, famous last words? Here’s hoping it won’t prove true for me. I have to trust that those dickheads, and Darius will be able to keep her safe in my absence. They’re definitely the brawn of the operation, I’m just the stoner with a brain that never shuts off. That doesn’t mean I’m not willing to get my hands dirty, and as soon as I have proof, they’ll be as dirty as his. Things have been too easy, working out too well, I knew something was wrong, from the very beginning. I didn’t want to believe it was as bad as this. I mean, even as Harkwright standards go, it’s fucking low. And there isn’t a lot we wouldn’t do. Look at Bradley, he killed all those girls, and the only reason anyone stepped in was because he made it public. We couldn’t hide their deaths any longer, he was only arrested because he killed Ashley.
This family, my family, doesn’t care about people on the outside. They’re tools, only needed for as long as they bring something to the table. Stop being useful, break our ridiculous rules, or cross us, and you’ll be destroyed or end up dead. So, yeah, murder means nothing. Except to me. I don't like it, have never even contemplated taking someone’s life, until now. Because he could be a greater risk then we ever imagined, even worse if he’s working with Arthur. Is there any chance that Emmet is clueless? I hope so. I can’t believe he’s that bad, to let his father carry on like this, and act unaffected. The way he was talking on New Year’s Eve screamed sincerity. That he wants to see change, maybe with him in charge, it will happen. Or maybe, it was all posturing, and he’ll be just as maniacal and tyrannical as his dear old dad. God help us all if that is the case, with the way he’s been raised, he could even be worse.
Don’t let me down, Emmet, don’t let us down. The others may not want you in charge, fuck, most of them would follow Tucker if he decided to try and start up a competing company. It doesn't mean that we won’t stand by you though, not with the right incentive.
Maybe I should actually say all of this to him instead of myself, but it could affect the shaky truce we have between us. No, the only person these thoughts are safe with, are myself, and I don’t even want to hear them. Go figure.
I pull my phone out and make all the necessary travel arrangements, using a fake name, and an account that even Arthur can’t trace. He can’t know about this, just in case he is involved. I can leave here easily enough, I’m famous for my lack of impulse control, especially if I put the word out that I need to blow off a bit of steam. I’ll give Little Zero a heads up first. I can’t tell her where I’m going, but I don’t want her to worry about me. I’m trying to be a better man, someone who could one day hope to actually deserve the little angel. I can’t do that if I make her believe the same lie everyone else will.
I will tell her this secret as soon as I get back, but not until I know for sure. I don’t want to worry her unnecessarily, she has enough going on already. I’m being selfless. Yeah. Sure, maybe if I tell myself that enough times, I might start to believe it myself.
46
Past and Present Collide
Luna
Elena meets me outside my room, and I glance around before inviting her inside. Darius gives me a strange look, but I shake my head. I can’t explain this, not yet. I know he won’t tell the others, it just feels like tempting fate if I say it out loud.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, making her a mug of tea, which she takes with shaking hands.
“Scared, I still haven’t been able to keep much down. Seriously, Luna, I’m starting to think that the test is just there to dot the I’s and cross the T’s.