Page 135 of Depravity

My anger explodes and I slam my fist onto the desk, sending papers and objects flying.

They’re hurting her, hurting her more.

And not just hurting her, but hurting her in ways that couldn’t be fixed. That couldn’t be repaired.

If I had killed Magnus, then she would be okay now. True, I would be condemned but she would be free. For a moment, I contemplated it. I contemplated killing him, even though it would be the death of me.

But what was Brynn without me? What was my wife, if I wasn’t by her side?

No. That wasn’t the answer.

I grab my phone, dialling Antonio’s number. He picks up immediately, almost as if he’d been expecting me.

“Conrad, what a pleasant surprise.”

“Quit the pleasantries.” I snap back.

He sighs, and I hear that usual tone he saves just for me. “What do you want?”

“You know what I want,” I growl back.

“And you know your brother doesn’t want to help.” He states.

“What if I told you that if you don’t help me get Brynn back then I’ll do it, I’ll kill Magnus. I’ll kill my brother and then all your hard work will be for nothing.”

Antonio scoffed. “Conrad, please, we both know you’re bluffing.”

“Am I?” I say as I start pacing the room, “I don’t even need to be the one to wield the blade. All I have to do is tell Devin where Paitlyn is,” I begin, using my trump card. God, why hadn’t I thought of that before? “…What’s more, I think he’d be more than interested in knowing that Magnus knew it was a set-up. That Paitlyn wasn’t even involved, and yet he had her locked up and condemned all the same…”

“Conrad…”

I smirk, but I haven’t finished yet. Oh no, I’ve done my dirty work. I’ve done enough digging to be able to use this moment here to my advantage. If patience is a virtue, then I’m the most virtuous man on earth. “We both know how sensitive my brother is about that girl, imagine his reaction when he discovers that. I doubt the Brethren will be reassured if the Blake family turn on themselves. And add the fact that you fucked Paitlyn…” I pause, waiting to hear his reaction and the silence tells meeverything. “Imagine his reaction to that little piece of information too…”

I didn’t know he had. I wasn’t certain of that, but the pieces fit so perfectly. Antonio served her then-husband, and we all knew what that man was like. How he abused his power. It’s probably why Paitlyn did what she did, why she murdered him.

“Alternatively,” I add, “You could help me get Brynn back and as a reward, I’ll give you something you want, something you really want…”

“And what is that?”

Yeah, I have the bastard, don’t I? “Grace Ratcliffe,” I say.

He scoffs but I hear the sound, the hint that he is flustered. “You and Titus were friends.” I state. “I don’t care what drove you apart, what little argument you had but by the time this is done, he’ll be dealt with, and his wife and daughter will go to Oblivion. We both know Grace is untouched, and Titus has put a high price on her virginity. A girl like that, she’ll go to auction and because of who her father is, everyone will want to fuck her. You do this for me, and you can have her. I’ll rig the damn thing. I’ll gift-wrap her for you, and you can do what you like, no questions asked.”

“And Magnus?” He says.

“What about him?”

“You’ll stop fighting him, stop causing issues? You’ll do whatever I say from now on without question.”

I smile, “I’ll be the perfect brother.” I declare, and it’s true. What issues would I have anyway, once my wife is returned? I can get back to the matter in hand, producing an heir. And Magnus, he can get back to focusing on the race for Chapter Lord.

“You got yourself a deal,” Antonio says.

Pain.

That’s all I feel.

Nothing but pain.

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