The Initiation (Darkness Within Duet 1)
He helped with the zipper in the back of the dress, and she blew out a breath as she turned to him.
She lifted her hair up, about to put it in a clip.
“Don’t. Leave your hair down,” he said.
“You’re very bossy tonight.”
“I’m the one in charge tonight, and all you have to worry about is pleasing me.”
“That’s all I’ve got to worry about?”
“Yes.” He took her hand, and she pulled him to a stop as he went to her bedroom door.
“Ian’s down there with Hannah.”
“I know, and I don’t care. Remember, Harper, you’re the one in control.”
“He’s still my dad.” She didn’t think of him like that though.
“You want to climb out of the window? Hide away?”
She shook her head.
“Then don’t behave as if you’re doing anything wrong. He’s probably heard by now that you’re part of us. Besides, he gave up his right to you, remember that.”
Draven led the way out of her bedroom, and she followed him downstairs. Ian was there, as was Hannah. They both looked shocked to see them together.
Ian’s glare was clear to see. He wasn’t happy. Hannah turned on her heel and left the room.
“No. Go back to your room,” he said.
She didn’t stop. Thinking about his disrespect about her mother’s suicide and also how he treated her, she’d had enough.
No more.
She was the one in control of her own destiny.
“Harper, I mean it.”
“Why don’t you go and fuck your wife, Ian? It’s what you’re good at,” she said, brushing past him and following Draven outside.
She expected to find Axel and the others waiting, but they weren’t there.
Draven helped her into the car, and she looked back at the house to see Ian standing in the doorway.
For the first time in weeks, he looked like a concerned father. She’d give him a ten for effort.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going tonight?” she asked.
“It’s a surprise.”
“It is.”
“Yeah.”
“I feel like I’m being spoiled.”
“You are.”
She didn’t ask any more questions as he drove out of town. The sign that read “Welcome to Stonewall” always fascinated her, especially as she grew up and came to realize just how deadly the town was where she lived. Not once did it say run at your own risk. Danger always around.
On the surface, Stonewall looked perfect, like a sweet little neighborhood, but the truth was far deadlier and scarier than anyone could ever imagine.
“What are you thinking?”
“About the town. Is that why your parents picked this place?” she asked. “Because it was so unsuspecting?”
“They still get investigated from time to time. The only difference, the cops here are paid to not see a thing or to get rid of the evidence.”
“Doesn’t that bother you?”
“I grew up with cops coming to my house all the time. They sleep with the women my father offers them, and take the money. I’m not the one responsible for them and their ethics. That’s up to them.”
“It just seems like something should be done about it, you know.”
“Harper, nothing can be done. That’s the point. They’re in charge. They tell everyone what to do. Your father fell in line as soon as they dangled a piece of willing pussy in front of him.”
She winced. Rubbing her arms, she stared out of the window.
“What would you do if they told you to kill me?” she asked.
It was a risk. She was an outsider. No matter her training, there were some things she doubted she could ever do.
“Don’t ever think about that. Don’t even say that.”
“You’d kill me?”
“No. I wouldn’t kill you.”
“What if you didn’t have a choice?”
“Harper, this is supposed to be a date.”
“It is?”
“Yeah, I’m attempting to date you right now, and you’re talking about me killing you. Don’t. Let’s not go there. Killing you is only a risk if you do something that can’t be redeemed. Something can always be redeemed in some way. I have no doubt about that.”
“What about betrayal?”
He jerked the car to a stop. Her heart started to pound. The grip he had on the steering wheel was quite alarming.
“Are you going to betray us?”
“No.” She didn’t sound so sure even to her own ears.
“You’ve got to understand, Harper. There are a lot of things I can protect you from. I’d even go up against my dad for you. But there are some things I can’t.”
“Like betrayal?”
He’d turned to look at her. She stared into his green eyes. For a long time, she’d ignored this guy.
He’d been part of her life in some way or another, admittedly on the outside. She never in her wildest dreams imagined herself sitting in his car, wearing a pretty dress, heading out on a date with him. Nor did she anticipate her own changes in joining with him. Becoming part of the group.
Her life since the death of her mother had taken a complete turn, and he was the only one to understand her.