Page 274 of Chaos Kills

It’s at the tip of my tongue to act ignorant, but what’s the point? So I say nothing. Ozzy knows—which is something we haven’t talked about—but my brain doesn’t click, connecting it to him for some reason.

He wouldn’t.

Not with the way things are flowing between the two of us. The one-worded answers he’s given me.

Short, simple, to the point.

Nonetheless, that still leaves me with how?

“There’s been a lot of things I’ve seen since you and I have been reacquainted.” Emilo continues. “And I’m concerned.”

“With?”

“Torin.” My whole body numbs at the mention of his name, because I instantly don’t like the way it sounds on his lips. The way it tumbles, as if he’s all business, and Torin is a liability that needs to be handled.

“You’re going to be rising up,” Emilio says simply. “And I don’t trust what he’s going to do or what he’s planning. Torin has always led with his emotions. He’s already done things…that I’m not proud of…” He doesn’t finish his inner monologue, and I can’t stop the immediate bounce in my leg, hinting at how anxious I am.

“What are you saying?” I press, focusing and demanding my body remain still and composed.

This isn’t a game, and I don’t trust what Emilio has in mind.

He flicks his gaze quickly to Ozzy before they fall right back to me with more conviction and seriousness to it. “Torin will always be my son. However, you’re my blood. And you have to come first over all else.”

That small change of his attention was a trick. He wants me to think Ozzy said something. A not-so-innocent display of concern when, really, Emilio doesn’t want me to have support. He wants me vulnerable and reliant on him.

He wants Torin out, which would leave me with one less.

“And what does that look like in your head?” I challenge, crossing my arms and legs to keep them under control.

Emilio’s blue eyes remain locked on mine—no empathy, no second-guessing, no anything but his plan.

“He has to die.”

My heart slows, though I had an inkling all along. The way this man just expressed his alleged feelings for his son, confirms Emilio has loyalty to his family.

“Are you fuckingcrazy?” I leer between clenched teeth, and my expression says it all. I don’t bother hiding it.

He doesn’t either.

Emilio is dead serious.

Unfazed as all hell that he just said his child—the one he allegedly half-ass raised—has to leave this Earth over shit he doesn’t approve of.

Thank fuck I never grew up around him, or I never would have made it past sixteen.

“I’m looking for your blessing, Haven.”

I rise from my chair because Emilio can consider this conversation over. “You’re not gonna get it.”

“I understand.” He tips his head downward, and I’m hoping he gives up this insane idea of fixing things when he, of course, doesn’t. We’re two different beings, our blood bond having nothing to do with the way our heads work. “But I’ll do it anyway.”

Fuck.

“This was a bad idea,” I claim, towering over him and his desk. “You shouldn’t have told me,Dad.”

“I’m aware of your relationship with him, but?—”

“That has nothing to do with it and everything to do with the boys. I won’t have them lose a brother because you’re scared. I’m not.”

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