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“Yes,Iam.Iknow you are aware that we picked up some pod signals in an area that is not yet mapped in our solar system; an area that appears not to have any planets at all.Wewere discussing this withFatherwhen suddenly,SCOUTandANDIboth received an incoming alert that someone in that area was researchingEarthand its inhabitants.So, we are on our way to that sector now.Itis quite a journey, butFatherdemands that we be back before theWarriorTrials, whether we find anything or not.

Thereare rumors of some sort of veil hiding the planets in that sector, and you know, several times, theJynrel,Korgons, andVelgriddixhave just disappeared off the radar.Webelieve it may be a pirating region where they have been hiding all this time.So, the weapons system you designed forDestinyjust might get its first test run.”

“Iwish you and the others safe travels, and thank you for assisting remotely withLacie.”

“ANDIdid the majority of the work,Isimply oversaw the procedure fromDestiny.Ihope when we speak again, it will be about more favorable matters.Strengthand honor, brother.”

Thescreen goes blank andIhear the lock on the door disengage a short time later.

Chapter Twenty-Six

LACIE

Thefeelingof someone rubbing my knuckles has me opening my eyes slowly, only to findMeK’slarge hand wrapped around mine.Sittingin a chair next to the bed, his head is lying next to my arm, turned the other way, and for a moment,Iallow myself a brief second to enjoy his presence.Iappreciate the fact that he is here with me and that they found me in time.EventhoughI’msore all over,Iwill live another day thanks to their efforts to get me out of there.

Thenthe memories hit, andIpull my hand away.Immediately, his head turns, and his bright eyes are glowing as he stands up, towering over me, as he reaches up to brush a stray hair out of my face.

“Howare you feeling?”

“LikeIfell off a rock.”

Hecloses his eyes, andIcan tell he is fighting an internal battle. “Lacie, we need to talk, but all that matters right now is that you get better.”

“You’reright,MeK.Wedo need to talk, and that’s whatI’mgoing to do while you stand there and listen.Then, whenI’mdone, you can do your famous walk-off when things become too difficult for you to handle.”Standing, he crosses his arms and steps back.

Ihad a lot of time to think whenIwas stuck on that rock,MeK.Youknow they say your entire life flashes before your eyes right before you die.Andthey were right because memories, wants, needs, even dreams, and hopes all bombarded me all at once.ButIlearned something about myself as well.Iam worth something too, andIpromised myself that ifIsurvived,Iwould never forget those words.

Youlet your mother talk to me likeIwas white trash.Awhore who was only trying to better herself by taking you into her body.Youdidn’t say a word …Simplylet her assume whatever she wanted even while your cum was still running down my thighs.Youdiscarded me likeIwas a nobody, and that’s unforgivable in my world.I’ma living, breathing person with feelings and emotions who never asked for anything from you.DidIwant more?Yeah,IthinkIdid, but now …IwishIhad never seen your face, since things were hard enough beforeIadded you to the mix.

Youtook something from me thatIdon’t know how to get back, my confidence in howIread people.Isaw you, the man youtrulyare.Theone who doesn’t like crowds but still wants to be invited.Theman who needs to be number one in someone’s eyes, and that’s why your work is so important to you because it’s about recognition.Ittook me a bit to come to the understanding thatIwould’ve never been enough because it’s not my approval you need.Inyour mind, it’s your mother’s.MeK, you have to know you won’t ever live up to her expectations, but really, the problem is you.You’venever been comfortable with who youare, so you’re still reaching and searching for where you belong.Unfortunately,Icrossed into your path, and here we are.

MeK, you will never please your mother.Aperson that miserable has only one goal and that’s to bring you and others down.Themoment you step over the wrong lines, she will wash her hands of you, and then where will you be?

Iwish things had been different, but they’re not … you’re stillMeK, andI’mjust plain littleLacie.Sonow thatI’vesaid what’s on my mind, go ahead and walk away,MeK.Ihave nothing else to say, and you have nothing to sayIwant to hear.”

Hereaches out, andIpush his hand away. “Lacie, please don’t give up on us … on me.IknowI’vemade a royal mess.Iknow that now, but you are my mate.”

“ThehellIam!Ifthis is or heaven forbid that’s your version of love, … leave me the fuck out of it.Thereis noUS,MeK!Youmade damn sure of that.WhywouldIwant or even subject myself to that kind of life?Aplace where you’re ashamed of who or whatIam?Ipale in comparison to that beauty that was presented to you.Hereyes devoured you and with her, you can finally be all you’ve dreamed of.Mother’spet.Now, get out becauseIreally don’t have the energy for you any longer.”

“Lacie,Iwill find a way to make this right.IknowIdo not deserve your forgiveness, andIam not asking for it, but please do not push me out of your life.”

“Youpoor, beautifully tortured soul … you really don’t see it, do you?Ididn’t push you away,MeK… you did that to me.”Hebacks away from the bed, and you would have thought by the look on his face thatI’djust slapped him.

Thedoor suddenly flies open and in strollsBriar.Shelooks at me and thenMeK. “Doessomeone want to tell me what the fuck is going on?”

MeKcloses his eyes, and for a second,Ithink that all of this just might have changed him a little.Butnope, without even looking back at me,Iwatch as he does his famous walk-away once again, and this time, he takes my heart with him.

Briarfrowns when he slides past her, but within two steps, she’s crawling up the bed to sit beside me. “Youhad me worried sick, and you look like hell.”

“Ilove you too.”Ino more than get those words out thatIcompletely fall apart.Briarcurls up next to me, gently rocking me back and forth.Ican feel her own tears mixing with my own.

“Lacie, sweetie, what’s wrong?”

Ishake my head.Nomatter how many times they ask,I’llnever tell them whatIdid.Ipull her closer, needing her friendship and love, as she runs her fingers through my hair.

“Lace, cry it out, baby.I’mnot going anywhere.We’llget through this together, no matter what it is.Justtell me who to kill?”

Ifeel her kiss my head and the next thingIknow, darkness envelops me, and my mind goes quiet.