Page 94 of Love Me

“But Uncle, since when is your nephew an intruder?”

We’re not blood-related, but in this fucked up Family, these titles are used to show how close we are. What fucking bullshit.

At Cillian’s order, I’m escorted over to them.

Sebastian’s face pales. “Kaden.”

“Thank you for not disrespecting my intelligence by bothering to deny it.”

“How did you figure it out?”

“It was bound to happen. We all have the same strategy. I was just quicker.”

Cillian looks at Sebastian and says, “We can’t have him here nor trust him.”

“I haven’t decided whether or not I can trust him yet.” He waves his men away. “Let’s go to my office.”

I follow them, the tracker embedded in my hoodie. You never know what will happen. I left instructions for Bailey, just in case.

Inside, the house has more of a lodge feel. It’s a wide-open space, with blocks of stones and wood creating a comfortable atmosphere. Sebastian and Cillian take a seat in brown armchairs.

“A drink?” Cillian asks.

“Whatever you’re having.”

We raise our glasses, and Sebastian says, “Now, Kaden, what do you want?”

“I will answer your question if our goals align.” I lean on my knees and continue, “I found you. It’s just a matter of time until the Family finds out. And I would rather kill you than put Celine in danger.”

He taps the arms of his chair. “What do you suggest, then?”

“You haven’t answered. Why did you come back?”

We eye each other in a standoff.

“Why should I trust you?”

“You can trust the person who would die to protect Celine.”

“You also broke her heart.”

“I did it to protect her.”

I take a sip. The alcohol burns down my esophagus, but I invite the strong taste. It does little to suppress my anger. Celine should have had a normal high school experience, not being caught up in this fucked-up web of lies and deceit.

“The Family has to pay for its sins. I plan to restore the old order.”

Power, it’s always about power.

I lean back, a headache throbbing behind my temples. “I will take her far away from here.”

“Celine belongs with her family.”

“I am her family. You only want revenge and power. Quite lackluster, really.”

“Meet the leader of the sixth family, Cillian Prescott.”

Nothing surprises me any longer, but this news is something else.

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