Page 75 of Atone

Alex

You get my point.

Declan

What’s the damage?

Alex

Marco’s alive.

Unfortunately.

Or not?

I haven’t decided yet.

Declan

How long do you plan on allowing that to continue?

Alex

Until he’s learned his lesson.

Kole

Please, keep going with this lesson. I’m appreciating the entertainment.

Declan

Stop encouraging him. You don’t need entertainment. You need to focus on your task in LA. How is it going?

Kole

We’re on track. But it’s slow given Jacob’s distraction.

Declan

He’ll get it done. In the meantime, Alex, try to keep shit under control. And if you can’t, just drag Marco to the basement and end it. I’ll figure out how to make the problem disappear.

Alex

In due time.

We end our conversation, and I shove my phone back into my pocket.

Marco is lucky he’s still breathing. The only reason I’m allowing that to continue is my sick curiosity. I know Declan will hold to his promise when I decide that’s no longer necessary, whether it goes against his new House rules regarding members or not. Marco helped his father with plenty before we took him down. If I’d have given the okay, Declan would have ousted Marco with him in that initial wave, but I asked him to hold off.

The only person who is going to deal with Marco is me. And I’m going to enjoy every second of it.

Declan can complain about my methods, but he won’t break his promise. He owes me for how I helped Teal when she tried to kill herself when she was sixteen.

At the time, his hands were tied by family obligations. Which is why I stepped in and looked out for her when he couldn’t. And honestly, even if I wasn’t doing him a favor, I still would’ve been there for Teal.

She is one of few people who saw past my bullshit growing up. Who understood what it’s like to be hollow inside. It’s why she would still come see me when she had therapy appointments at Montgomery. She knew that even in my silence, I wouldn’t judge her.

I don’t care for many people, but I always liked Teal, so I’m glad she’s getting better. She’s finding peace with Declan, and her doctors have her on medication that’s working.