Page 30 of Black Hearts
I’d choose her.
I said nothing to him, because there was nothing left to say at this point. I turned away from him and stormed out of the office, knowing what I had to do. As much as I didn’t want to see it, I was forced to, now. The man I was before was gone.
Tori waited for me further down the hall, and when she saw me leave the office and storm away, she skipped after me, barely able to keep up with me as I ascended the main grand staircase. Her short frame had trouble keeping my pace, and yet that didn’t stop her. “What happened? What’s going on? Is he finally leaving?”
I didn’t say anything to her right away. She threw question after question at me, looking at me with blue eyes that were a shade or two darker than Juliet’s. Finally, when I kept to my furious silence, she grabbed an arm and stopped us halfway up the stairs.
“What’s going on, Uncle Markus?”
The last thing I wanted to do was tell Tori, but with how incessant she was, how unwilling the girl was to just let this go, I knew I had to. “He’s not leaving,” I told her. “I am.”
Her mouth dropped. “What?” She still held onto my sleeve, but her grip had loosened considerably after what I said. “No, no. You can’t just leave! We need you here! You’re… you’re the big guy! You do everything! We can’t—we just can’t.” Her hand fell away, letting me go, and for a moment, she looked like nothing but a frightened little girl, something she definitely wasn’t. “I don’t want you to go.”
“I have to. I should’ve gone before.” That much was true. I’d only just gotten my own head out of my ass to realize it. Jaxon, Bennet and Will shouldn’t have been the ones to go after Juliet. It should’ve been me. Hell, I should’ve done more to stop my father from letting Fred take her to begin with.
The one who failed… was me, and that knowledge was a weight on my chest like no other.
I turned away from Tori, resuming my pace up the stairs. It wasn’t too long before another question from her rang out: “What about Juliet?”
Once I stood at the top of the staircase, I stopped. Throwing a glance over my shoulder, I said, “Where do you think I’m going?” As Tori’s face morphed into one of surprise and then one of excitement, I started walking again.
Tori would tell her mother, who would then in turn inform the rest of the house. I didn’t have time to sit around and call everyone for a meeting; I’d already wasted enough time diddling about. I needed to go. I needed to see Juliet.
I needed her to know that I would never let her be taken from me again, that if I had to walk away from everything I’d ever known, I’d fucking do it—for her. I’d do it all for her.
I made it to my room, grabbed a small suitcase out of my closet, and packed a few things. Not everything, but a few outfits. I didn’t plan on being gone long; I wanted to go to Juliet, tell her my revelation, and then, once she was able, bring her back here where I’d force my father out of this house.
This was my fucking house, not his, and I’d be damned if I let him take it from me.I’d give it up for now, but I’d be back. Mark my fucking words.
But first thing’s first: Juliet.
Once I had everything I’d need, I left my room and headed to Theo’s office. I knocked, and the second the man said to come in, I walked inside and informed him I was leaving. Needless to say, Theo was not expecting that, even with seeing the suitcase by my side.
“You’re what? You’re really leaving?” His brown brows furrowed together, and behind his glasses, his eyes squinted, almost as if he thought I was lying or trying to trick him. “You spoke to your father, I’m assuming?”
“Yes. I’d offer to take you with me, but I think we both know this house needs someone with a level head watching over things. Right now, you’re the only one I’ve got.” I wouldn’t say Stella had a level head, not when it came to certain things. And the others? Even if hell froze over and the world turned on its axis, they’d never be level-headed.
Theo looked pained, but he didn’t argue with me. “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll let you know. Focus on getting everyone on the same page. When I come back, if my father is still here…” I trailed off, imagining a few different scenarios. Throwing him out with a mini army of Scotts behind me. Chaining him to the floor in the basement and showing him that I hadn’t lost my touch. “This is my fucking house, and I’m not going to hand it over to him.”
His voice came out softer when he said, “And Juliet?”
“I’m going to bring her back, and if anyone tries to take her from me or this house again, they’re going to end up in pieces.”
Theo couldn’t say anything to that, so I left shortly after. I headed to the garage and got in my car with the suitcase in the back. On my way out, I dialed Jaxon’s number. He and Theo had been in close contact during his mission of saving Juliet, but I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to talk to me.
I… I couldn’t blame him at all for hating me. There was a difference between being possessive and being an asshole without reason, and I’d definitely tiptoed on the latter a few times.
It took a few rings, but Jaxon answered right as I was pulling past the gate to the estate: “Markus.” He didn’t sound overly thrilled to talk to me, and I imagined he wasn’t.
“I’m leaving the house now,” I said. “Where are you? Give me the hospital’s address, and I’ll meet you there.”
He waited a moment, and I wondered if he didn’t want to tell me, if he didn’t want me seeing Juliet. “Juliet’s getting discharged soon. She’s getting a few prescriptions for the pain and some antibiotics. She’s got a few exercises she has to do every day, but they said she’s looking good—”
“Are you with her now?”
“No, I’m in the restroom.”
