Lib Novel Page 90
Nathan’s grip on my hand tightened imperceptibly, the very notion setting off a tremor through the lines that connected us. It was a risk, a gamble with stakes higher than either of us could fully comprehend. But it was a chance—a flicker of light in the engulfing darkness of our lives.
“Abby,” he started, his voice rough around the edges with a vulnerability I’d never heard before, “if you can start putting the pieces in place to get everyone out safely—“
“Then we will,” I finished for him, my determination as unyielding as the steel hidden beneath my skin. “We’ll find a way.”
He sighed. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do,” he said. “Genuinely. But you’re wrong about my mom. She’s not the way. She’s loyal to a fault, and she’s going to stick by my father no matter what.”
I leaned closer, my gaze locked on his. “But you’re her son, Nathan. And I have a feeling she’d do anything to protect you. She would do anything to protect Lily, Justin, Alex. I don’t think you were the only protector in your house when you were growing up.”
He frowned before he answered me. For a moment, there was nothing but silence between us. Then, almost imperceptibly, Nathan reached for the bracelet on my wrist—the one that had been tied there during my initiation into this life. His fingers traced the delicate links before finding mine, the warmth of his touch spreading through me like wildfire.
His thumb caressed the engagement ring he had slipped onto my finger. He twisted it slowly, watching the way it caught the light streaming in from the window, illuminating the intricate design and the promise it represented.
He cleared his throat before he spoke. “You know, you did well tonight. I’m proud of you.”
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his praise settle deep within me. “Thank you, Nathan. But remember, my vows are to you, not to the Circle. Your secrets are safe with me.”
He nodded, the ghost of a smile touching his lips before his expression turned serious again. “Just promise me something,” he said, his brown eyes intent on mine. “If it comes down to it, choose yourself.”
The raw honesty in his plea struck a chord inside me, sending a shiver through my very soul. “I can’t make that promise,” I whispered back, defiance lacing my tone even as I felt the lie take root in my heart. We had said no lies…but this one was necessary. I needed to put him at ease, even if it meant lying.
“I’m serious, Abby,” he said. “If it comes down to you or me, you save yourself. Got it? No hesitation, no heroics. You save yourself. Okay?”
“No,” I replied, almost automatically.
He sighed. “Don’t make me say it again.”
I met his gaze and lied through my teeth. “I swear.” But inside, I knew the truth—I would walk through fire for this man, and no oath could ever change that.
Chapter Forty-Two: Abby
Istood in front of the mirror, twisting a strand of brown hair around my finger before pinning it up into a bun that was more functional than fashionable. The reflection staring back at me had green eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Nathan’s mother, Evelyn, was a mystery to me—a Triad wife who played her part with grace and secrets tucked behind her knowing smile.
“Does this look okay?” I asked, turning to Nathan. He looked up from where he sat on the bed, his dragon tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve as if it were watching me too.
“You’ll knock ’em dead,” he said, a hint of humor softening the hard lines of his face. “Believe it or not, Ma is not one for airs. Just be yourself.”
“Easy for you to say,” I mumbled, smoothing down the fabric of my modest blouse. The necklace he’d given me—the subtle silver serpent wrapped around an emerald—felt cool against my skin as I fastened it around my neck. It was a small touch of elegance, a connection to him, and a reminder of the web I was entangled in.
“Eight Treasures Tea Room, huh?” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “Sounds exotic.”
He grimaced. “Exotic?”
“Oh, you know what I mean!”
“Yeah, I’m just giving you shit. No, I’ve actually…” Nathan’s brow furrowed slightly. “Never heard of it. But Ma has her spots. She likes…intimacy in her surroundings.” He shrugged, looking away. For a man feared by many, it was these moments of vulnerability that caught me off guard, made my heart thrum in ways I wasn’t prepared for.
I leaned down and kissed him, feeling the stubble against my lips. “Wish me luck?”
“Always,” he murmured. “Not that you need it.”
Stepping out into the brisk evening, I left the safety of our shared space. I drove the Mercedes Nathan had given me and ventured into Chinatown, its neon signs casting colorful shadows on the pavement.
Evelyn Zhou, queen of the Sisterhood of Vipers, was waiting.
Gripping the steering wheel, I felt a pang of vulnerability pulse through me. The gold collar that had been locked around my neck for weeks, a symbol of Nathan’s claim and protection, was absent. The collar had been a weight I’d learned to find comfort in, its presence a constant reminder that someone always knew where I was, that I was never truly alone. Now, as buildings and street lights blurred past, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being exposed. My fingers itched to touch the spot where the collar should be, but I forced my hands to remain steady, driving on.
Nathan’s trust was a hard-earned privilege, one that stirred a confusing mix of pride and nostalgia within me. It was ludicrous, I chided myself, to miss the days when he was more possessive, more overt in his control. Yet the absence of that tightness around my neck made me feel adrift, untethered in a vast sea of uncertainty.