41. Chapter Forty-One Abby

Chapter Forty-One: Abby

T he sheets clung to our damp skin. I looked at the scratch on Nathan's chest, which really was okay, and then rolled over as he draped his arm around me. I lay there, catching my breath, feeling Nathan's chest heave against my back, his heartbeat thudding in sync with mine. It was getting harder to focus on the schemes and secrets that brought us together when all we seemed to do was fall back into bed, entangled and lost in each other.

Nathan kissed the top of my head, inching closer to me. "Abby?"

"Hm?"

"We need to talk."

"Sounds ominous," I said.

"I'm serious," he replied.

I moved away from him, rolling over to watch him. "What?"

He propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at me with those dark eyes that didn't just see through my defenses—they dismantled them piece by piece. "I thought we could buy some time, maybe handle the arsonists first, but after tonight...but I've been thinking. After what my dad pulled at the initiation, it's clear: none of us are safe."

His words sent a cold ripple through the warm haze that enveloped us. He was right; we couldn't afford to be distracted—not when danger lurked around every corner, ready to strike when we least expected it.

"Yeah, I can see that. Okay. So what's our next step?" I asked, the weight of our reality pressing down on me. Nathan's brow creased as he considered the question, the uncertainty in his eyes a mirror to my own doubts.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. His hand found mine, his grip firm. "I need to know what you think, Abby. Your opinion…it matters to me."

"Thought you'd want to handle all this by yourself."

"No," he replied. "I mean, you're the pro."

My heart skipped at his admission, the significance of his trust not lost on me. But as I debated how much to share, the gravity of our situation settled in my chest like lead. The memory of our new policy of complete honesty clawed its way to the forefront of my mind, and with it, an unsettling clarity.

"I mean, it's obvious, right? Kenny…your father– he has to die, Nathan." The words spilled from my lips before I could second-guess them.

Nathan's gaze locked onto mine, searching, questioning, weighing the heavy truth of my declaration. We were well past the point of half-truths and veiled intentions.

Nathan was quiet for a second, his eyes dropping away from mine as if he was wading through the shadows of his thoughts. "Are you okay?" I ventured into the silence, my voice almost a trespass.

I knew his relationship with his father was delicate and while I could see how fraught it was, I didn't want to upset him even further. That seemed…unfair. I wanted to protect him.

He exhaled slowly, a measured release of breath that seemed to carry the weight of his empire. His eyes met mine again, dark and fathomless. "Yeah. You're right, Abby. But how?"

A sliver of hope threaded through me, delicate but fierce. "Your mom," I said, feeling the pieces click into place like destiny unfolding. "She asked to have dinner with me. Maybe that's our way in."

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.