Ruthless Secrets (Elites of Macedon High 2)

I need all the protection I can get.

Once we’re under the shade of the gazebo, I turn to them and say, “You need to tell me everything you know. Someone is killing us off as they please and destroying a generational truce.”

“By framing me, they’re trying to put our families at odds,” Parker observes. “That means whoever killed Lev has time to plan the next killing.”

I nod. “I’m willing to bet the closer we get to figuring out who killed my father, that we’ll get close to whoever is trying to pull the strings here.”

“It might have been an honor killing,” Parker suggests.

I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“And why not?” Tomas questions. “You were going to run off with his son and leave your empire in ruins. It’s good motive.”

“It’s not good enough,” I insist.

Tomas draws a deep breath, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. After he lights one, he takes a few puffs, staring at the wooden boards beneath us. “I know our families have a lot to gain by Lev being out of the race.”

I sigh. “That doesn’t narrow anything down. Not even close.”

“It could be anyone,” he suggests. “It could even be you.”

I glare at him. “Don’t know why I would whack Lev, but okay.”

“I’m just saying.”

Parker growls. “She didn’t kill Lev.”

“Could Gilbert be involved?” I ask. “I mean, he already sent a hit man for me once already.”

Tomas ashes his cigarette in my direction. “Why the fuck would my father do that?”

“I’m not saying it was your father.”

“Are you implying that I killed Lev?”

I shrug. “I’m just saying.”

“I was closer to Lev than any of you sorry fuckers,” he bites. “I cared about him more than all of you, too.”

“We all cared about Lev,” I correct. “I didn’t mean anything by my question, Tomas.”

His glare burns through me. It’s clear he’s hurt, and the way he looks at me shakes me to my core because it’s largely unexpected. Maybe this is useless. We’re just going in circles at this point.

“We should talk about this later when we’re not all so tense,” I propose. I look at Parker. “I’ll think about how we can figure this out.”

When I look at Tomas, he avoids my gaze. I just can’t please them both, can I? Without Soren around to play the joker, it just feels like I’m grasping at straws. I gesture to the path and Tomas breezes ahead, leaving a trail of cigarette smoke as he stomps off.

I don’t blame him. We basically accused each other of killing Lev. But being at each other’s throats is exactly what this killer wants. We’re supposed to be at odds. It’s much easier to topple an empire that’s already cracking from within.

Parker wraps his arm around my shoulders. The gesture is so foreign to me that it makes me jump.

“I’m sorry,” he grumbles while hugging me to his chest. “About…everything.”

I stiffen. “What do you mean?”

“I know you cared about Lev.”

“Yeah, I just…” I bite the inside of my cheek while closing my eyes. “It must be about to rain blood because you’re giving me comfort.”