Seduce & Destroy - Page 89

“It was. Is.” I stood back up, a pain sliced through my side.

“I knew you were warming the bed for the Ravencroft girl, but still? Have you no sense of loyalty?”

I didn’t answer. Laney rolled on her back as she began to stir, but my eyes remained firmly on mummy’s.

“Don’t.” I said. “I’ll fix it.”

She shook her head. “I’ve told you many times, Kilina. Don’t let lust distract you from the family.”

“This was a temporary lapse in judgement. Trust me, Mummy.” I prayed Laney wasn’t coherent enough to realise those words. It broke my heart.

Mummy gave me an unbelieving look as she passed me on the way to the door.

“I’ll end it,” I said, softly. “For real.”

“She’s not welcome here.”

“I know.”

“All we’ve worked for…” She slowly shook her head, standing at the door. “I want them gone, Kilina. Make sure of it.”

When I came to the lunch table ten minutes later, where my whole family sat, I knew they knew. I promised Laney I wouldn’t be long. I was wrong. Daddy wasn’t looking my way.

“Your one day is up.” Malachi said, the cheery tone from earlier was replaced by monosyllabic punches. “You need to kill him.”

I chose my next words carefully. “I’ll do it.” Terrence rolled his eyes, I clenched my fists. “Richard wasn’t a leader, he was just a puppet. Nothing significant. Edward was the big thinker, believe me.” But it didn’t matter, did it?

Tension grew. No one moved.

“Why are you protecting him?” Daddy said.

“I’m not!”

“Then why are we delaying it?” Malachi challenged.

Mother pointed a finger at me. “Are you sleeping with him too?”

I looked disgusted. “No!

“Then why?”

Don’t say her name. Keep her from scrutiny. Don’t say her name. “It’s just… he needs to suffer for all the harm he caused. Death is too easy. That’s all”

Terrence finally spoke. “He’s the last pillar of our takedown, Kilina. He should’ve been killed a week ago. Be honest. Please.”

I let the quiet speak for me for a minute. I couldn’t come up with a defence quick enough.

“Speak of the devil,” Malachi said under his breath, eyes over my shoulder.

I turned in my seat. Laney stood in the doorway. Paused. Out of earshot. No one objected to her presence on the estate. I could breathe a sigh of relief. Thankful that they didn’t also consider her a loose end. “She’s not a factor in this.”

“She’s the only factor in this.” Malachi said.

“I want her gone. Kill them both.”

“Daddy, please.”

“Don’t get distracted, Kil, I warned you. Attachments are burdens. Kill them. We’ve lost too much to them.”