Page 43 of Dark Consequences

“Why haven’t you had more kids with Xiao…or anyone else, for that matter?” She’s careful with the words she uses and asks her question slowly and quietly.

“I have an IUD,” I explain.

“Xiao allowed that?” Gabriella asks incredulously.

I shake my head. “No. But he doesn’t know either. The doctor who helped deliver Mei worked for him but took pity on me. You see, as sick as it is, Xiao takes care of the girls who work for him. He doesn’t like to see them pregnant because, at a certain point, they can’t work, and if they can’t work, they’re not making him money. So he has them all on birth control. So the doctor inserted an IUD and told Xiao that I suffered a rare complication that could make conceiving more difficult in the future. It’s how I’ve been able to avoid getting pregnant again despite Xiao’s efforts.”

“Wow,” Rose breathes out.

Evie leans back in her chair. “Bloody hell, that’s intense.”

“Did you ever see the doctor again?” Gabriella asks.

“No. And I wish I could thank her, but I didn’t. I wish I could tell her how she saved my life and the lives of any further children born.”

“I lied earlier,” Gabriella confesses. “You’re not just strong. You’re incredible.”

My eyes land on the ribbon resting on the table. I reach out for it and a pair of scissors. With one quick and decisive snip, I cut off the damaged end and watch it fall to the floor in small frayed pieces.

I may be frayed around the edges like this ribbon, but you know what? I too will cut my broken ends off to reveal the person left whole and new behind.

21

Raphael

“Any news from Dominic?” Michael asks as we jog along the trail that weaves around the island.

I match his pace, my rapid breaths creating tiny white puffs in the morning air. “He checked in last night that his search was a dead end.”

Michael curses under his breath. “That was the last lead we had on Xiao.”

“I know.”

“Raphael, I hate to ask, but…” He trails off, and from the corner of my eye, I catch his hesitant glance my way.

I sigh, knowing exactly what he wants to say. “I’ll ask Lily if she knows anything more.”

“Maybe we should consider Dad’s suggestion?”

I come to an abrupt halt.

When Michael notices, he too stops and turns around to face me. He holds his hands up and pants out an apology when he sees my expression. “Sorry.”

“I am not using Lily and Mei as bait,” I tell him. My tone is hard, and my words are final. It was an option at first, but not anymore.

Michael wipes sweat from his brow and frowns. “I figured you would say that.”

“Then why even ask?” I demand, pushing past him to continue down the trail.

Michael catches up and puts his hand on my shoulder, forcing me to stop and face him. “I didn’t mean it like that, brother.”

I wait him out, and eventually, he sighs. “I’m only asking you to think about the idea.”

“No. Their presence here is more than enough. He thinks I kidnapped them, but when he sees that wasn’t the case, he’ll fuck up when he comes for them.” I know I’m being unreasonable, but he has to understand where I’m coming from. If I was asking him to do the same with Rose and Liam, he’d be saying no, too.

“How will he see that if you keep them hidden?” Michael argues, earning a glare from me. “We can brainstorm a way to ensure their safety but still draw the bastard out.”

I cross my arms over my chest and take a deep breath through my nostrils, then exhale hard.

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