Page 116 of From Hell

“Is that why you left?”

“You know that’s why.”

I shake my head. “But you’re still here now?”

Jaxon’s jaw clenches, silver eyes like shards of glass. “Hand the evidence in.” He gets to his feet, his coffee untouched.

Any hope I have still lingering deflates, and then I hate myself for having hope in the first place. I’ll never forgive him for what he did, what he’s doing. Walking away as if it all meant nothing. Ten years of my life chasing a nightmare, wasted. “Is that all you came here to tell me?” I snap as bitter rage bruises my chest with every breath.

He pauses. “No. I came to tell you I made a mistake.”

I make myself eat the strawberry. Surprisingly, it’s really sweet. “Oh?”

“I shouldn’t have left, but after I told you who I am, I thought it best.” He rubs his jaw. “I’m sorry I didn’t explain.”

“I know about your condition. The dissociative identity disorder,” I blurt out. After everything had settled, I scoured Google for the answers I so desperately needed.

“I never wanted to hurt you, Laine.”

I spear another strawberry with a chunk of waffle and stuff it into my mouth, stopping me from breaking down. “Well, you did.”You still are.He stills and then makes a nodding motion. I want to ask him why he’s leaving, but my pride won’t let me stoop that low.

Jaxon is the killer,mykiller.

I mustn’t forget that.

“Just get out. And never come back. Both of you. Or I’ll carve your heart out myself.”

A smile twitches across his lips. “Give the evidence to the police, Laine.” He drops a crisp fifty on the table. “For the coffee.” And walks out.

* * *

JAXON

I’m supposed to stay away. It’s supposed to end like this.

She’s supposed to hate me.

I tell myself as I walk purposely to the car waiting outside and get into the passenger side. Wolf is in the driver’s seat, arching his brow at me because I don’t trust anyone else.

After I razed the organization’s London headquarters, the other Sanctuaries stepped in to smooth things over. Pay off the authorities. Conveniently remove police evidence and witnesses. It’s what they do. They appointed me Archkey in place of my father since I’ve always been in line for the role, but that doesn’t mean I’m not under watch.

“So that’s why you finally killed our old man,” Wolf muses. I shoot him a look. He holds up his hands. “I don’t give a fuck. I would have put a bullet between his eyes long before this if I could.”

Wolf is an acolyte, which means he’s in training to become a member. If he had killed the Archkey, him being our father aside, the organization would have removed him. I, on the other hand, am protected. Power plays are common. Once you’re in, you’re in no matter what fucked up thing you do. But my brother’s status means he can leave anytime, unlike me.

Ironic. Now I have everything I’ve ever wanted. Power. Prestige. Divine reckoning at my beck and call.

But I want it gone.

That’s why Laine needs to give the evidence to the cops, specifically to her dad, who is one of the non-corrupt ones. Wolf can still get out and live his life, but I must go down with the mother-fucking-ship.

“Is she going to do it?”

“She will.” Maybe she won’t kill me, but she hates me enough to do it.

Wolf sighs and starts the engine. “You know you’re signing your death warrant. Fuck the police, the Lucians will make you wish you’d burned in that house along with Dad.”

“Just make sure you get Matty somewhere safe when the cleansing happens.”