Page 27 of Reckoning

All four of them lie in a heap, their blood pooling around them.

“This is the price we pay for failure.” I bellow. “You fuck up, you get us all killed.”

It’s that simple. It’s that damned obvious. Sofia might be my biggest concern but she’s not the only one. One mistake will mean the death of all of us. Failure is not an option.

“Clean this mess up.” I growl.

We’ve got shit to do. We’ve got more names now, more locations. This isn’t over until every last one of them is dead.

* * *

Sofia

The house is silent.Too silent.

Since Roman was exiled my father will barely even look at me. I think in total we’ve exchanged less than five words.

He eats alone in his study. He spends his time hauled up there, like he’s trying to pretend I don’t exist, like none of this is happening.

I normally keep to my own wing - that’s a lesson I learnt a long time ago and it’s worked for almost six years, it’s kept me safe, but when I went down to the kitchens the staff said that he hadn’t eaten anything all day.

It might not mean anything. The old codger could just not be that hungry but my gut tells me something is wrong.

So I do it, I break his cardinal rule and I step over the threshold, crossing into what I know is forbidden territory.

Every step I take feels like I’m condemning myself but, as I move steadily closer to the colossal oak door of his study, I tell myself that I’m not six years old anymore, I’m not a child, if he raises his hand then I will damn well raise mine back.

To my surprise the door is ajar. I tighten my grip on the silver tray, the food might be lukewarm at best now but it gave me an excuse, a justification for being here. He can hardly accuse me of snooping when I’m acting like I care about his wellbeing.

“…It’s done.” My father growls, making me pause. I wasn’t aware anyone else was in the house. That anyone was visiting.

“You’re certain?”

“Of course I am.”

I gulp, recognising the other voice more from the telly than anything else. So Darius is here. The great Governor himself has deigned to pay us Montague’s a visit.

I lean forward, sneaking a peak through the gap. My father is sat at his desk, no surprise there, a puff of smoke is emanating from the oversized cigar in his hand and the room is foggy with it.

I can’t see Darius, but as he moves, a shadow tells me that he’s close, that he’s right by the door.

“I want proof.” Darius replies.

“You know I can’t provide that.”

“No?” Darius sounds almost amused, but I can tell under that playful tone he’s not messing around.

“We agreed the steps.” My father states. “And I have done my part. It’s time for you to do yours.”

Darius seems to bristle, “They’ll get the second half when I decide.”

A bang makes me jump. My father’s hand remains on the leather top where he smacked it. “They are not fucking around.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Darius sneers. “You think we’re not a match for them?”

“You have resources, Darius, but you know full well I do not.”

I can’t see the Governor’s face well enough to judge his reaction but it feels like he doesn’t seem to care all that much.