The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play #1) - B.B. Reid Page 0,105
each other. Without her, I would have been on the streets or lost in foster care, and without me, she would have eventually reached the point of no return.”
“You hid each other from a worse fate.”
I nodded. “And now that I’m eighteen, I no longer need her.” I took a deep breath hoping to feel the freedom I’ve longed for since I was ten. The feeling never came. “She still needs me, though.”
Ever blew out a breath of frustration. “You didn’t make her ill, and you didn’t put those skeletons in her closet, Four.”
I turned away because I couldn’t stand to see his pity. “Maybe not, but that doesn’t change anything. When your father breaks her heart, it will be me she stares at with tears in her eyes until she can barely stand to look at me at all. It will be me who feels the shame because I’ll be the one she regrets. God forbid he knocks her up first.”
My back was still turned to him when I felt him close in, stop, and then I heard him sigh.
“My father had a vasectomy.”
Whipping around, I found Ever’s mask in place. “What?”
“When I was four, my mother had a miscarriage. She had just found out I was going to have a sister.”
“What happened?”
“Her doctor called it an incompetent cervix. My birth had been difficult for her, and the doctors warned that conceiving again would be risky, but my mother didn’t care, and my father indulged her. They found the best doctors money could buy, but an infection caused my baby sister to die in my mother’s womb.”
“So he got the vasectomy?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he nodded. “My father wanted a large family, and my mother was distraught and ashamed. She was determined to try again or find a surrogate.”
“Why didn’t they try surrogacy?”
“Because my father didn’t want another woman carrying his child.”
I stared at him feeling both awe and envy. “They loved each other.”
“It didn’t last.”
I could only nod. My living here was evidence of his parents’ failed marriage. “I’m sorry your mother left you.” Guilt suddenly made it hard to swallow. How many times had I wished Rosalyn would just walk away? I had convinced myself that being abandoned couldn’t have hurt worse than being rejected every single day. But then I met Ever.
He cupped the side of my face. “And I’m sorry your mother couldn’t leave you.” I felt his finger wipe away I tear I hadn’t realized I shed. He was gentle and soothing, not at all the touch of a killer. It made me wonder…
“The Exiled are murderers, and you’re one of them.”
He slowly blinked, probably thrown by the sudden change in subject.
“I haven’t killed anyone, princess.”
“But if you had to…if you were forced…do you really you think you could?”
His hand fell away.
“I guess I’ll know soon enough.”
“I…I don’t want you to do this.” I was suddenly desperate, willing to give anything—do anything—to keep him from harm. “Whatever you’re looking for can’t be worth your life. If you want to be with me, promise me you’ll stay away from them.”
He went so very still while my heart screamed at me to take it back. “Why would you ask that of me?” His voice was a whisper, his question an accusation.
“Because if you’re caught, they’ll kill you. Who says Wren Harlan will keep his word? I’ve been on the business end of their mercy, Ever. They won’t hesitate.”
“I’m not going to pussy out for pussy,” he viciously spat.
I stepped away from him, leaving my broken heart at his feet. “Is that all I am to you?” I suddenly felt like scrubbing my skin clean.
“Jesus Christ!” His hand whipped out and fisted my shirt before yanking me into him. I didn’t get the chance to shove him away before he was lifting me onto the table ledge. Large hands framed my face so I couldn’t look away. “Get this through your thick skull, Archer. You. Are. More.”
“Then you get this through your skull. All I’m asking is that you not get yourself killed. You’re not some street thug or ruthless killer. You’re Ever McNamara. Lord of the manor. King of the academy.”
His eyes narrowed. “So if my family’s bank account had fewer zeroes, you’d believe that I’m completely fucking serious? You’ve known me for two seconds.”
“You’ve done more despicable things than I believed any one person capable, but no, I don’t believe you have what it takes—because what it takes is your soul!” Breathing hard, I