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“What I do best. Tracking. That’s what all the data at BANKS Corp is really for. The world’s leader in Global Connection.” I let the slogan ooze with sarcasm.
Cillian shakes his head. “I get it. I fought too. All the new kings did.”
I lift my chin, meeting his gaze from below. “And then you all slipped right into your roles.”
“You will learn soon enough that the weight of the crown is better than six feet of dirt on top of your coffin. We accepted our roles, but we rewrote the rules.”
“Save the new regime pep talk,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.
“For a man who was just spared, you seem to be willing to gamble your life again. You don’t get heads twice. Tails will land you on your ass. How will you seek forgiveness from Rylan then?”
The sound of her name on his lips sends a shiver through my bones.
“I don’t get it.” Cillian crosses his arms. “You use her to get Nelson, knowing that it forces her into this life. Why?”
“Because I was a blind man following the scent of revenge.”
He glares down at me, his eyes full of curiosity. “You won’t be blind forever. Remember that when you work for us, you face death. Is she worth the fight?”
Cillian squats down, a massive mountain humbling itself to a small river. He shouldn’t be able to move like this, balancing on the very balls of his feet. That’s why people underestimate him. They think he’s slow. He’s not. He’s as quick as a hawk swooping down. You never see him coming.
I’ve heard stories about his gyms, boxing arenas scattered across the globe. His favorite is in New York, where he forges killers in his own image before recruiting them into The Rites of Passage.
“I read the deal,” his deep Irish voice grumbles. “I know what you asked Alister to do. Why? You could have had Rylan.”
His words drag me back to the day I betrayed Torben; Rylan was in her bedroom. I called Alister and added to the deal. Actually, I gave Alister no choice. Accept or never see Rylan again.
Cillian’s hand slices the air. His slap burns across my cheek, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth as I swallow. “Why?” he growls.
“All Rylan’s life, people have used her,” I tell him, as I take a deep inhale. “I didn’t want her to think I was.”
“You were.” His words feel like another slap. It’s true. “You used her as a coin to trade.”
“Or a coin to be placed in a vault,” I argue, avoiding his eyes. I keep mine down, not out of fear. I just lost my heart. He can plunder me, use my body as a punching bag. It doesn’t matter now.
“She doesn’t know?”
I shake my head.
He stands, flexing his muscles. “I don’t understand,” he says. Genuine curiosity and interest crease his forehead.
“You, of all the new kings, should understand, Cillian.” I tip my chin up. Cillian has the weakest heart when it comes to women and the need to keep them safe. “I need it to be her choice.”
He watches me, intensely pondering every word before he replies. “You know what’s wrong in this world, Steffen?” He closes the distance and stretches out his hand.
I accept it. He yanks me up so we’re level.
“Enemies no longer respect each other,” he continues. “Sure they kill, but there used to be a time you allowed the other to mourn. I respect you and your decision.” He steps back. “Torben has Nelson. When you’re done with him, call me and your sentence will start.”
The hallway feels as if it’s only two inches wide. “You know the rules The Rites of Passage follows, Steffen,” Cillian says as he rubs his jaw, trying to cover his mouth. He speaks, almost as if it’s an unwilling fruit of knowledge he doesn’t want to have plucked off his branches. “BANKS Corp’s seat goes to the firstborn. That’s not Henderson. It’s Rylan.”
My body runs cold.
Whatever look in my eyes seeps out has even Cillian stepping back. “You might have given her a choice,” he says carefully. “We won’t. No exceptions.” He watches, waiting for an attack.
I know better now.
Cautiously, he turns and strides out of my house. I brace the wall and press my forehead to it. I wanted to give Rylan freedom, but fate seemed destined to keep her caged.
