Page 54 of Broken Truths

Part of me wonders if we should all slow down. Not because I’m not one hundred percent in, but because Eden’s been through a lot. Her sister, now her father, the Knights, her mother forcing her to marry for business… It’s too much.

I squeeze my glass of water tighter. If she pulls away from us at the end of this, I’ll be devastated. No amount of money or power or prestige would make up for the hole she would leave in my life.

“I feel you,” Oliver interrupts. He’s staring at the two of them as well. “It’ll be hard getting used to this, but at least I don’t hate the fucker anymore.”

He’s mistaken my train of thought, but I’m keeping them to myself. Maybe I’m used to people taking things away from me. “I really just want to get home,” I tell him.

Finally, he peers over at me and frowns. “You’re sweating, mate.”

I brush my hand across my brow. I’m sure I don’t look good either. With how tense I’ve been, I feel like I could quite literally snap at any moment. I’m just waiting for the sky to fall. It couldn’t be this easy… Nothing is. Not loving this girl. Not finding this new family. Not stealing from the Knights.

“Come on,” Oliver says. He stands, buttoning his suit coat, and then motions to Leo. Eden’s busy speaking with another well-dressed woman while Vincent and his new bride stay seated at the front of the room, drinking wine like it’ll expire within the next couple of hours.

Leo nods and winds his arm around Eden in a way that looks like he’s trying to excuse themselves. Miraculously, they both make their way to the table without being interrupted by the many people who want to wish them well on their engagement.

When he sees me, his lips thin. “Let’s go,” he says. We all walk toward the exit and give our numbers to the servants to get our jackets and to put our names down for the next ferry leaving the island.

Snow has started to fall, sprinkling the landscape like a perfect dessert topping. The shock of the cold breeze nearly numbs my bones when our names are called for the ferry. Leo places his arm around Eden as we traverse the walk back down to the docks. I itch to touch her, too—to make sure she’s okay—but I know Leo has her. He may be hard-headed and a selfish dick at times, but he loves that girl.

Before her, I couldn’t imagine Leonardo Jarvis loving anything. So, as crazy as it sounds, I trust him to make sure she’s okay.

We get onto the boat, and I sigh in relief to find the inside almost empty, bar a few other couples. There are no sirens ringing through the island. No police boats or Knights running around the premises like they had something valuable stolen from them. Nothing.

I can’t shake the feeling, though. I stare at Leo, and he stares back, but we won’t dare ask one another what’s going on until we’re all alone. We know how the Knights operate. They’ll interrogate anyone for information, even measly guests at a wedding.

Beside me, Eden sits on her hands, and a small tremor shakes her. Even with her large coat on, it seems like the weather is getting to her again. Leo notices, too, and once again drags her to his side and puts an arm around her.

I don’t know if I ever would’ve guessed how capable he is of looking out for someone he loves. I hate that due to circumstances that person can’t be me now. Just like Oliver was feeling while we were at the reception.

It’s not that everyone thinks she’s going to marry Leo either. The type of relationship we’re in is unconventional. I doubt it will be accepted everywhere. The analytic in me is trying to figure out how this will all work. Should only one of us marry her? But then the other two will have to look from the sidelines, like right now.

Maybe none of us should marry her? Then we can all pretend we’re swingers, I suppose. Sharing.

I know one thing, though: it’s the exact kind of relationship that definitely won’t be accepted in this world. But I’m okay with that. After we find out who killed Delilah, I want nothing to do with the Knights or my parents ever again.

Wherever our group wants to go, I’m going with.

It feels like forever as we motor back to the public dock where my SUV is waiting. Eden prefers Leo’s sports car, but with all of our fancy outfits, we decided something conventional would be better, and Oliver’s Minis are just too damn small for my taste.

I blast the heater as soon as we get inside. Leo lands in the passenger seat while Eden and Oliver take up the rear. Leaning forward, Leo takes out the burner phone that he used to set up the team and checks the messages.

My heart careens in my chest, and more sweat trickles down my brow despite the chilled temperature.

He smirks. “They got it.”

I blink in surprise. “Are you serious?” Oliver and Eden celebrate in the back.

He nods, showing me the text that came through.Package acquired. Meet at go-karts.

I shake my head. “This doesn’t feel right. They double-crossed us.”

Leo stares at me, and behind us, the triumphant cries quiet down. “They didn’t double-cross us.”

“It shouldn’t be this easy. If it was this easy, everyone would do it.”

Eden leans forward and places her hand on my sleeve. Beneath her touch, I can feel the warmth growing on my skin. “It’s okay to be scared, Alaric.”

I shake my head, ready with the words to contradict her, but they dry up on my tongue. “Maybe I am scared,” I admit. I’m most definitely scared. I don’t want to lose this because, however fucked up it may seem, I think the three people sitting in this car would do more for me than my family ever would. “I don’t want to hope.”

---