“I’m leaving,” he utters. “I’m ready to go to New York. It’s the one thing I’ve wanted, and it’s time. I’ll be back for my inking.”
“I didn’t think you’d stay, but remember, if we need you…” I allow my words to trail into the heavy silence in the office. He doesn’t realize what being an Elder means, but he’ll learn.
We still have time before Ares, Etienne Durand, and Tarian Calvert come of age, so Philipe will take the reins until the three younger boys step up and they form one entity.
Philipe swallows down the amber liquid before offering me a grin. “I’ll be here whenever you need me.”
“Go, I know you’re itching to get to your girl,” I tell him, shaking my head when he chuckles.
“See you tomorrow.” He leaves me in the office with my thoughts. I’ve done things in my life that were needed to ensure my family are safe. Even though most wouldn’t agree with my actions, it is my choice, and I’ll never apologize.
My phone rings shrilly on the desk; when I pick it up, I note the name before answering. “What?”
“We found her. She’s a crown,” he tells me. I knew they would. The men I have around the country, around the world, would’ve tracked her down one way or another, and she knows it.
“Good, we’ll keep an eye on her. The father?”
“He’s around.”
“Bring him in, the job I have for him is important. I want it done next week.” Hanging up, I smile when I pour myself another drink and savor the burn of the whiskey as it travels down my throat.
I sit back and stare out the window. The full moon is high, reminding me of how small and insignificant we truly are in the grand scheme of things. But I also know that nothing can stop the events that will take place in the coming years.
My sons will rule the Sovereign with iron fists.
I gulp down the last of my drink as my office door opens, and my wife strolls in. She’s my life. I fell for her when I was a boy, and even though she knows of the darkness that resides inside me, she hasn’t run; she continues to love me even after all the shit I’ve put her through.
“Are you coming to bed?”
“I am. Philipe was just here to collect a docket,” I tell her, crooking my finger to call her closer. “Ares will know about his new role in this household. I plan to speak to him tomorrow.”
“I don’t know if he’s ready,” she shakes her head, worry etched on her beautiful face. She voices my concerns out loud.
Sighing, I stand and go to where she’s standing at the edge of my desk, pulling her into my arms. “He will be. He’s a Lancaster, it’s in our blood.”
“This isn’t some supernatural occurrence, Abner. He’s not going to suddenly become powerful and grow wings,” she bites out in frustration. Our son may not be something from a comic book, but there are things about the four new Crowns who will take over that nobody would ever guess.
Ares being one of them.
But what she doesn’t know can’t hurt her, which is why I’m not the one to complete the task I’ve set in motion. So instead of saying anything, I scoop her up and make my way through the house and up to our suite.
“I think it’s time we made love again,” I murmur in her ear, with my eyes shut, I pray she’ll calm the fuck down. The darkness grips me when I think of the violence to befall us.
Her hands land on my shoulders, holding me away from her for a moment before she shakes her head. “Don’t push me away and treat me like I’m fragile.”
“You are fragile.” I can easily overpower her, and she knows it. I could lift her with one hand, squeeze, and her breath will be stolen. I don’t. I do allow her to glower at me though because that will ensure our night in bed together will be short.
“I’m not, Abner,” she bites out, and I can see this night isn’t going as planned. All I need, want, was a chance to feel her, but she’s not having it.
I rise, turning away from her, and head into the bathroom. I don’t need this. I really can’t lose my shit so close to Philipe’s inking. The moment my eldest son wears the mark of the Sovereign, I can take a back seat on the day to day running of the society.
“Don’t walk away from me,” she retorts, her voice shrill and angry.
“Darling, I suggest you go to bed.”
“Like fuck, this is ridiculous. What are you not telling me? You’ve hidden enough from me over the years, Abner. The women, the killing, I see the blood on your clothes; I’m not stupid.”
One rule of the Sovereign is to never speak of it with those outside the society. Even our partners. The only people who know about it are the children who will step up to the table.
No females.
No outsiders.
It may sound misogynistic, but that’s what the ancestors wanted, and that’s what they’ll get. We observe their rituals, their way of life.
“Abner.”
“Lilian. Go. To. Bed.” My voice is low, a warning tone that makes her stop for a moment. I feel her. Every part of me knows what she feels because I can feel it, too. I sense every argument she has raging around in her mind.
I glance over my shoulder, meeting her questioning gaze before she shakes her head and turns away from me. I watch her slip under the sheet and curl into a ball. Her shoulders shake, but I don’t go to her. I’m not that type of man.
Closing my eyes, I quell the urges inside me, and I calm my erratic heartbeat. My sons don’t know about me; they have no idea who their father truly is, and I refuse to let them find out by me ripping their mother to shreds in a fit of fury.
Once I step down, my secrets will be safe.
I’ll make sure of it.
ONE CLICK NOW
NEED SOMEONE TO LISTEN?
If you’re struggling, feeling depressed, or thinking of harming yourself, please seek help. Below are a few places you can reach out to.
United States
http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
United Kingdom
Australia
Canada
http://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Coming to the end of a series is always bittersweet. Knowing that you, the readers, loved the characters, and the world, is humbling to say the least. I’ve met so many new readers through this venture into New Adult Romance.
Thank you so much for all your love for this series, and even though the topics are tough to handle, you’ve been there with me through it all!
My Thorne boys will always hold a special place in my heart. And I have to start thinking about the Haven boys now. That’s going to be one heck of a rollercoaster! I hope you’ll be here with me through that ride!
To my editor, Rebecca Barney (Rebecca’s Fairest Reviews), thank you for polishing this story and making it shine. Your advice and comments always ensure my book is eady for readers.