Page 120 of Cruel Delights
“There is always a choice.”
He tilts his head to the side and peers at me with the mask’s huge, fathomless black eyes. “You know better than anyone there is no choice in the matter, Kaden. Deep down, you know why she must die. If you will not eliminate her, then we will. Should you attempt to interfere, you will come to regret it.”
I stow both hands in my pockets. “I’ve grown bored of this charade, father. You may hide behind your mask all you like. It may intimidate the others. However, it couldn’t amuse me more. I will do as I please, as I always do. The girl lives.”
“Disobey the club if you dare. You are operating under the assumption you will receive leniency. You will not.”
“I have made up my mind. Leniency couldn’t matter less. Honestly, father,” I say flippantly, “you’re lucky I’ve played your game this long. This club has grown insufferable. I think I’ll show myself out.”
He doesn’t stop me. He remains seated, his position in the armchair unchanged. His face hidden behind his gold owl mask, he’ll never truly give away his hand.
However, I meant what I said. I couldn’t care less. The club has been more obligation than a genuine interest, and I’ve allowed him to believe I’ll be his heir for too long. I’ve known him as the Owner for longer than I’ve known him as a father. Following in his path was never something I’ve wanted. Though he’s sensed this, it’s out in the open now.
I leave the barroom and Winchester Plaza behind.
In a way, it’s a burden lifted. There’s full transparency regardless of what happens. The Owner is under no pretense that I’ll carry out the task he’s assigned. I’m aware he’ll be coming for Lyra, and maybe myself, to finish the job.
Which means I’ll have to speed up my plan.
I drive straight home. Grady will have to be taken care of. The same applies to Fyodor’s half disassembled body.
Tomorrow I’ll scoop Lyra up, and we’ll begin plotting our escape.
The motion-activated lights flicker on in my penthouse. I toss my keys on the credenza and move deeper across the open space.
Then I stop.
Someonehas been here.
My gaze remains fixed on the area rug that’s been wrinkled in the middle, denoting someone passed through and bunched it up with their clumsy footing. I am meticulous about the most minute details in my home—I’d never leave my rug in such a state.
When I left for the mixer, it was how it should be, flush against the floor.
Grady.
My murderous cloak envelops me, and I proceed forward with my senses on hyper alert. If he should spring out to catch me off guard, he’ll receive quite the surprise. I am confident I can more than handle Grady in a physical fight; I willcrushhim.
However, as I turn into the long hall, I discover I’m wrong.
The light in the guest bathroom is on. The sight is no less infuriating. My fists tighten.
Celeste.
I stride toward the door, expecting her hideous smile and idiotic coo ofbaby. The closer I get, the more I slow up.
Water has spilled out of the open bathroom door and onto the hall floor. I come to a stop in the doorway and set sights on the mess.
A massive pool of water that covers the entire floor—andthe dead naked woman drowned in the bath.
28Kaden
Ends & Begins - Labrinth
Celeste is dead.
Her arms and legs drape the side of the overflowed bathtub. Her head rests against the back, halfway submerged in the water. Clenched in her pruned fingers is an empty bottle of pills.
I survey the scene for a moment that would likely be considered inhumane. The natural and instant inclination of most human beings would be to rush toward the tub and try to resuscitate her. I’m far less valiant and far more preoccupied with the fact that Celeste used the hour and a half I was gone to commit suicide in my home.