Page 112 of Twisted Truths
There’s no point.
I turn my back on him.
He’s not worth anymore time or effort.
With a final derisive sound, he leaves.
When the back door slams shut, Hadley finds me with my palms resting against the mantle, my head bowed.
“Are you okay?” she asks cautiously.
“Please tell me I’m nothing like that man.”
“Definitely not,” she rushes to assure me.
I look up, meeting her forest green eyes. “How can he walk away from his own flesh and blood? I haven’t even met Franklin yet, but I know I’d never turn my back on him. I’d burn the world down before I ever let him feel like he’s unwanted.”
“He’s lucky to have you as his uncle.”
My thoughts drift to my uncle Kaleb. Regret burns deep in my stomach at the way I pushed him away when we moved to Barrenridge. I was so jealous of his close relationship with Levi, and hating how controlling Dalton was. While the pressure I was put under from my father definitely made me a better player, I can’t help but hate the arrogant son of a bitch I was back then.
“I want to be someone he can be proud of,” I choke out.
“You will be,” Hadley says without hesitation. “I don’t know who you were before, but the man who stands in front of me is strong, loyal, and brave. Despite losing your family in a horrific way, you’ve kept going. You’ve had every reason to give up, but you’re fighting for your nephew’s freedom and your sister’s innocence. You’re letting Gabriel help you, even though I know you’re struggling to trust him because of your past. Going up against the Circle is dangerous, but we’ll do it together. Franklin will be proud of you.”
I pull her into my arms, my body relaxing when she wraps hers around my waist. Pressing my lips to the top of her head, I murmur, “Thank you.”
“For what?” She tilts her face up to look at me, those wide eyes causing my heart to beat double time.
“For seeing the best in me, even when I haven’t always deserved it.”
Her lips tug up in a warm smile. “You saw the best in mewhen I felt weak and trapped in a cult. We bring out the best in each other, Nash.”
Cupping her cheeks, I lean in and capture her lips in a searing kiss, letting her know everything I’m too afraid to say out loud. She’s my anchor, my hope, and the only light keeping me from falling apart.
The sound of a throat clearing in the doorway alerts us to Gabriel’s presence, and I reluctantly pull away from her, rolling my eyes at the amused smirk on his face.
“Am I interrupting something?”
Hadley groans and buries her head in my chest.
I flip Gabriel off before asking, “How did you go with Isaac?”
All humour disappears from his face. “He’ll make sure we have clear access to Franklin. All he wants in return is to leave with us.”
“I don’t care what he does, as long as we get in and out safely,” I say. “What about the evidence to bring down your parents? Does he think he can get access to it?”
Gabriel gives a grim nod. “The timeline will be tight. He can’t risk them finding out it’s missing before the ceremony, but he thinks he can get it. Grimshaw already has everything I got from my uncle, and I’ll hand deliver my cousin’s journal when we get to Sydney.”
I press my lips together, the hope stirring in my chest warring with the fear of the unknown.
This plan is more than risky, it’s downright dangerous. I want to believe we’ll finally bring the Circle to their knees, but wanting isn’t going to will it into fruition. If we fail, I’ll never be able to return to Barrenridge. Not that there is anything here for me anymore.
I want nothing to do with Dalton, but things between me and Levi have been good. Although, when things come to lightwith the gambling ring, I can’t see him staying in Barrenridge himself. Maybe I’ll see if he and Paige will bring Sawyer over to the States to visit her cousin. While I’m disappointed with the decisions he made, I don’t want to see him suffer for them. Deep down, I know he’s a good man who simply found himself pushed into a corner.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
NASH
