Page 73 of Serpent & Saviors

Was I really that gullible?

The analytical part of my brain wouldn’t shut the hell up either. And it also forced me to look at the strange dichotomy I willingly walked straight into. Regret and resignation—a series of events that created this state of my new existence. Images of my childhood appeared, followed by my time with the guys, my schooling, my career, and then her.

The single most important relationship I’d ever experienced was—fake. I really was that pathetic and deserved everything I got.

In one sweeping motion, I pushed the glass down the length of the bar, where it shattered against the wall. The liquid soaked into the top and dripped onto the hardwood floor. I walked to the antique mirror, sneering with anger and disgust at the image.

“You should’ve known better, fat ass.”

I closed my eyes and mouthed her name, feeling the vacuum of her absence. I let it consume me. Her face, her voice, the look in her eyes as she opened up and shared parts of her soul. For the first time ever, I wished that life had a rewind button. Hell, I’d go for a delete button.

Professionally, I knew better than to go down that path, but the man in me traveled it anyway. I looked at my watch. Forty minutes had already gone by. There was no sense in staying any longer.

I stood and cleaned up the mess I had made. Sighing, I walked to the bedroom to finish packing my things. The bags from Victoria’s shopping trip were still in the closet. What the fuck was I going to do with the shit now? I threw it into the empty suitcase we’d picked up.

Sighing, I plopped my suitcase on the bed and started throwing my clothes inside, not even caring. I sent a message to Marcus to meet me downstairs in the lobby. With one final sweep of the room, my eyes landed on Kinsley’s letter. It was lying flat against the counter. My eyes narrowed at what looked like frantic handwriting scrawled across the back. I picked it up.

Andy,

I’m sorry for all the heartache and mess I’ve caused. By the time you find and read this, I will be dead. Cameron bugged the room and heard everything. He has Declan and his nanny. I think he may have killed her already. I had no choice but to go with him for the safety of YOUR son.

You read that correctly. Your son.

You asked me days ago if we’d ever met before, and the truth is—yes. Parknasilla Resort. The summer you lost your mother, the same as me. We were both on the beach at the same time. I was the angel you thought you saw. I helped you back to your room.

You were very drunk, and one thing led to another. I know how you feel about children, but what is done is done. Do a DNA test, and you will see it is true. I was three weeks late for my period and had already taken a pregnancy test when Cameron raped me for the first time. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.

Declan is a good boy, sweet and innocent, nothing like Cameron. Please rescue him. I can’t save my life or Jenny’s, but you can save our son from having that monster for a father. You’re a good man, Andrew Marcel, and I know that with you and your crew by his side, Declan will have a better life. Tell him I loved him with every fiber of my being and everything I did was to keep him safe. And most of all, tell him I’m sorry I wasn’t stronger.

Tori

All the air left my lungs, and my hands shook violently. My heart constricted, and I grabbed my chest as the weight of the words hit me. Re-reading it, I wondered if this was a sick joke on her part. A child, our child, a part of me, existed in this world for six years. And I never knew?

The idea felt improbable, but the words our son leapt off the page. And the desperation in the penmanship, the way it scrawled so differently from her poem from last night. A thousand questions rushed at me, but I didn’t have time to process or dissect them, not now.

Not when they were in danger. I reached for my phone, needing my guys. Marcus and Pasha were still at the hotel. My mind kicked into gear. I tore out of the room and yanked the door open. Marcus was standing out in the hall, ready to knock on the door.

“You didn’t make it down. I thought you might need some help.”

I shoved the note into his hand and pushed my way out with the bags.

“Shit. I knew something was wrong. Did you call the guys?”

“We can in the car.” I mashed the button for the lift, cursing under my breath.

Pasha straightened up the minute he saw us exit the hotel. His cheek twitched. He could tell something was up, and he looked around as if trouble was around the corner. Marcus popped the trunk, and I unceremoniously threw the bags in, not even taking care. I walked around to the driver’s side. He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“We’re going to break some laws. I’m driving and don’t look at me like that. I know it’s your damned job. Get in, we need to go now,” I exclaimed.

He and Pasha climbed in and buckled up. They exchanged a look before I pulled out into traffic, slamming my foot down on the gas.

“Get Ivan and Bash on the phone. Tell them to meet us at Victoria’s. Tell them it’s a matter of life or death,” I barked to Pasha, who whipped out his phone. Mine rang at the exact time. I hit the Bluetooth; it was Nik. Feelings of dread settled in my chest.

“Alek and I are at—”

“Cameron got to her. He’s going to kill her. Get Matty to send a patrol car to her house now. We’re fifteen minutes out.”

“I’m on it. We’ll head back to town,” Nik said.