Page 31 of Hide Little Traitor

The difference between my situation and Camilla’s is that her guys were a family before she came into the picture, and mine hate each other with everything they are.

It could never work, and that’s the thought that has tears rolling down my cheeks as Kingston’s breathing evens out behind me.

How can I possibly marry Kingston when my heart will always be divided?

CHAPTER NINETEEN

DAMON

NOW

Blood usually eases the pressure in my mind.

That probably makes me a sociopath, but hey, I’ve been called worse.

I’ve made a point of staying out of the compound as much as possible the last few days because the more complicated the lie becomes, the harder it is to keep it going.

Everyone is beginning to draw their own conclusions, and I can’t protect Ronan anymore, no matter how much I want to.

It’s instinctual to take care of your family, especially your siblings, but there’s only so much I can do, and as long as he doesn’t come back to Miami, he should be safe.

Even as the thought crosses my mind, I realize it’s wishful thinking.

Our father has spent decades hunting a man because he was driving when his wife was hurt. I can’t see him getting over his son betraying the family to protect someone he views as a traitor.

The tiles turn red the second I step into the shower. An out-of-town gang member took it upon himself to try to steal a shipment of cocaine before our guys could get it off the ship.

Safe to say he didn’t live to gloat to his bosses.

I made sure of it.

But it didn’t take the edge off the way I hoped it would.

I’m just as agitated as I was before I left the compound last night, and I can’t keep making excuses to not be here.

At some point I need to face up to the fact my own brother is now the enemy.

As unnatural as it feels, it’s a reality I need to learn to live with.

Making quick work of washing the blood away, I shut off the water and move through the motions of getting ready for the day.

It’s been days since I’ve slept, but it’s a pointless endeavor I’ve officially given up on.

Just like a decade ago, thoughts of Chloe’s pain haunts me every time I close my eyes, and eventually my body will need rest badly enough that it will crash without the possibility of nightmares.

Until that time comes, I need to keep busy.

Stepping into the hall, I glance both ways before heading toward my father’s office on the ground floor to update him on my night.

I can’t fucking wait for the day I don’t answer to anyone and I’m calling the shots.

But until that day comes, I have to play by the rules.

Voices at the other end of the hallway catch my attention, and I step into an empty room to listen.

I want to say I’m not just being nosy and will walk away if they’re talking about something important, but that’s a lie.

I’ve been walking a fine line of deceit this past week, and if my father’s men are catching on to that, I need to be aware and get the fuck out of here.