Page 4 of Light in Your Eyes

Jaxon tsks. "I knew that you would ask me for that, and that's why I didn't ask you. What do you have in mind?"

"I want a horse," I say firmly, just for the sake of pissing him off.

"What the—"

"Do you have any problem with that?" I ask. "You said that you would buy anything Inez wants, so that's my turn now. I want a horse," I emphasize the last sentence. "You better get that for me."

Jaxon scoffs, shaking his head. "There's no way that I'm getting you a horse. That's ridiculous. I'm not going to afford that. You can take any horse from Dad's ranch if he allows you to. Why would I buy you a horse?"

I scoff too, making it more obvious that he's getting on my nerves.

He rolls his eyes. "Fine, I'll get you a bicycle. How about that? But it shouldn't be expensive. I'll get you a cheap one."

"I don't need a bicycle," I bark.

"Geez, you're impossible." With that said, he ends the call. It makes me want to break something.

Mom and Inez laugh.

"Cocky bastard," I mutter. "It's not like he's going to win anyway."

My conversation with Jaxon was silly, but that's theway we talk sometimes. That little bickering reminds me that no matter how horrible the situation we experienced with Dad's job or his friends, it's just a small thing. Our family will always stick together, and that's all that matters.

When the car turns silent again, it's then I realize that Dad has spoken no word since we got into the car. He usually listens to our conversations, but today, it's different. He only pays attention to his phone, scrolling through the messages, as if to confirm something.

I also realize that Mom hasn't asked him questions about what happened with Fenrir back home. Maybe they don't want to discuss it while still having me and Inez around.

Dad calls someone, who picks up the call after the first ring. "Are you positive about that?" he asks the person in such a low and dangerous tone that it makes the atmosphere in the car turn cold.

After the person gives him an answer, Dad ends the call and hisses, "Fucking traitor."

His anger sends shivers down my spine. I’d never seen Dad so consumed with rage. Something awful must be happening.

The car seizes a sharp turn, and that makes Mom ask with urgency, "Why are we taking this road? We should go the other—"

"We're being followed," Dad says.

The silence that follows after that sends chills through my body.

Inez and I exchange glances. Her face turns as white as paper. I hold her hand to comfort her while the car speeds off. We were never in a car with a speed this high. Judgingfrom Inez's expression, she's feeling nauseous and about to vomit.

Dad and Tristan don't have to share any words. They are both very aware of what's happening.

It seems that Dad sees something in the rearview mirror because the next thing he does is pull out his gun. My heart skips a beat, and I can hear Inez letting out a soft cry beside me.

Dad is going to shoot someone. Kill them, if necessary.

"No," Mom objects. "Not in front of our children."

"I'm sorry," Dad says. It's a firm apology because he's not going to change his mind. "I have to."

I watch as Mom bites her lower lip. She looks extremely pale. But she doesn't say anything anymore. She knows that Dad has to protect us all.

In that split second, I see a van speeding toward us from the car window.

Look out!

I can't even say those words because the next thing I feel is an immense blow. I pull Inez closer to me and cover her while extreme pain stabs every nerve in my body.