Page 12 of Tricked By Jack

His jaw tightens, a muscle twitching beneath the skin. “Are you sure about this?” he asks again. “I need to hear you say it now. While you’re sober for once.”

The words emerge heavy with intention, laden with all he knows but won’t say aloud. This is his final warning, his last attempt to pull me back from the edge.

I study him—my brother, the heir, the chosen one—and feel nothing but a distant fondness, like remembering a photograph of someone I once knew. Whatever bound us as children has thinned to a fragile thread, barely visible in the gathering dark.

“Yes,” I say, the word falling between us like a stone dropped into still water. Final. Unmovable. A declaration of intent. “You know I can’t resist a good gamble.”

Nick holds my gaze a moment longer, then nods once—sharp, resigned. He’s made his choice, just as I’ve made mine. We are Knights, after all. Blood calls to blood. Silence protects silence. And some vows transcend family loyalty.

I look at the window, to my reflection growing sharper as night claims the glass. The darker it gets, the clearer I become. Like I was never meant for daylight.

Not as Nick’s brother or Willow’s uncle, but as what my sister’s death has made me. The architect of retribution, the keeper of accounts, the hand that balances scales tipped by blood and betrayal.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to read the text from Ned.

Ned: I just heard her make plans with that boyfriend of hers. Want me to stop them?

Me: No. Just leave the key to your apartment under the mat for me.

There’s no need to chase her. She’s already stepped onto the stage—I’m just behind the curtain, waiting for my cue.

Before he can text me back, I say goodbye to both my brother and sister-in-law. Once I’m in my car, I speed toward the Bronx, ready to wait for her return in Ned’s apartment. Well, technically, mine.

I’m the one paying the rent, he’s just the one living there to keep up appearances. And Eve isn’t aware her neighbor works for me.

Chapter 5

The Bride

Ihum as I end the call with Caleb, telling him I need to get ready. This is just what I need, a night at the ring. And he’s always extra feral when he’s been fighting.

After draining the last of my wine and texting Shelby my plans, I head to the bathroom so I can shower and get changed into something a lot less comfortable than the oversized t-shirt and leggings I’m currently wearing.

While showering, I make sure I’m mostly hairless. There’s no way I’ll be able to resist Caleb when he’s panting and sweaty from fighting. Just thinking about it is enough to make my clit throb.

By the time I step out, the air smells like cherry and honey, remnants of my soaps. I inhale greedily while I towel dry, and then I get to work.

It’s almost ritualistic the way I release my long hair from the messy bun on top of my head. Like keeping it contained hides the darker part of me I’m letting out more and more often—the side that doesn’t just want release, but ruin.

Taking my time, I separate the strands into two and braid each section so they fall down my back. Once I’m done, I move on to my makeup. I’m in the middle of adding a second coat of mascara when my phonerings.

“Shel,” I say as a way of greeting my friend.

“Eve,” she hollers so loudly I’m glad the phone is resting on the sink instead of against my ear. “I can’t believe you’re going out again tonight. I thought for sure you’d be nursing a hangover after yesterday.”

“Look who’s talking,” I mutter. “At least I didn’t have to work.”

“I know,” she groans theatrically. “Trust me, I was tempted to call in sick.”

When I ask if she’s coming tonight, she throws herself head first into a long story about all the work she’s behind on.

“Well, that—”

“And you wouldn’t believe the amount of shit I’m going to unleash on my intern,” she interrupts, her tone heated. “There I was, in court. In front of the honorable judge or whatever…”

Knowing I’m probably close to running out of time, I get dressed while she tells me all about the intern sending her to court with the wrong folder.

“… I looked like a fucking fool. Oh, and the best part is I got fined for wasting the court’s time.”