His Blade No Longer Cuts for Him

Iris

I used to be the Blackwells' best killer. For him, I walked away from that life and became his wife. I even gave him a daughter.

I thought it was redemption. Turns out, it was the start of something worse.

Three years ago, during that shootout at the docks, his first love showed up with his bastard son. When the rival family put guns to both kids' heads, he didn't hesitate. He chose to save her son.

My daughter burned in the explosion.

That was the day the man I loved for ten years died. What's left is just my sworn enemy.

Two guards hold me down on the concrete dock. The salty wind tears at my clothes. My knees are scraped raw, blood running down my shins.

A black armored car pulls up nearby. Adrian steps out, wearing a black coat with a cigar between his fingers. His face looks like it's carved from stone.

He walks over and looks down at me like I'm some disobedient prisoner.

"Two weeks on the run and this is what you look like?"

I look up at him and smile. "I'd rather be dead than spend another second with you."

Adrian tosses the cigar aside and grabs my jaw, forcing me to meet his eyes. "You forget the rules? Nobody leaves my territory without permission. You're mine whether you're breathing or not."

"Rules?" I jerk my face away. "You mean the rules where you let our daughter die for your mistress's bastard?"

The words suck all the air out of the space between us. Adrian's pupils shrink. His breath catches.

"Shut up!" His voice drops low. "It was an accident. If I didn't save her son first, she would've fallen apart. Eden was my daughter too. You think this doesn't kill me too?"

Kill him? I laugh, bitter and cold, until tears blur my vision.

Three years ago, if those kidnappers hadn't dragged Evelyn into it, I wouldn't have known. For ten years, he had another family on the side. He hid it perfectly. I slept next to him every night and never knew.

I remember kneeling on those same docks, cracking my forehead against the concrete until blood ran down my face. "Save Eden! She's your daughter! Your own blood!"

But he just stared at Evelyn as she cried.

"Save him or I swear I'll die right here!" That scream from Evelyn was all it took.

Adrian made his choice. His men rushed to grab the bastard son. They kicked the car with Eden still inside into the water. Then the explosion.

The last thing I saw was Eden's confused eyes before the flames took her. Her mouth opened. "Mama..."

No sound came out.

"It's been three years since Eden died. Three years. And you're asking why I hate you?" I lean close to his ear. "What are you gonna do? Bring her back?"

Adrian's face goes pale. He drops his hand and steps back. But that cold mask slides back into place fast.

"I know what I did. I already punished Evelyn. She paid for it." He sounds like he's trying to convince himself. Then he turns to the guards. "Take her back to the estate."

They drag me into the SUV.

By the time we get back to the estate, it's late. I'm covered in bruises. They throw me into a room and I pass out almost immediately.

When I open my eyes again, I don't know how long I've been out. Moonlight spills through the window. I drag myself up and hear laughter coming from downstairs.

I make my way to the stairs and look down through the railing.

In the living room, Adrian sits on the couch with Evelyn leaning against him. They're watching TV.

Evelyn wears cream silk pajamas, her makeup flawless. She smiles, eyes crinkling at the corners. Adrian reaches over every so often to ruffle her hair.

A little boy sits on the carpet playing with blocks. Every few minutes he looks up. "Daddy, watch this!"

Perfect. Just fucking perfect.

I stand in the dark and watch.

Sure. He punished her. She really paid for it.

I should've known better than to hope.

I go back to the room and pull out the phone I hid under the pillow. My fingers fly across the screen. "I can help you take down the Blackwells. But I need you to fake my death."

Maybe that's the only way he'll let me go.

The reply comes instantly. "Deal."

I smile and put the phone away.

The second I turn around, the door flies open. Adrian walks in, his voice softer now. "I can explain what you saw downstairs. Look, I know you're still angry, but Eden... I've been trying to make it right."

"I cut her out of the business. She doesn't touch anything anymore. She's just a mother now."

"Just a mother?" I laugh. "So holding her downstairs, that's just taking care of a mother? That's your version of punishment?"

Adrian opens his mouth to answer but Evelyn's timid voice cuts in from behind him. "It's all my fault. If you hate me that much, kill me. Would that make you feel better?"

Her eyes are red like she's been crying, but I catch the smug look underneath.

I can't stand looking at this anymore.

I rush forward, shove Adrian aside, and slap Evelyn hard across the face. She hits the floor screaming.

Adrian's eyes go wide. He lunges in front of her.

"Enough!" He grabs my wrist, anger flashing in his eyes. "She was a victim too. Why can't you just let it go?"

Let it go?

"Are you really gonna kill Evelyn over a dead girl?" His voice drops, anger simmering underneath.

I stare at him like I'm seeing him for the first time.

So that's how it is. Eden's dead, so she doesn't matter anymore. Only the living matter.

Adrian turns to the guards. "Take her to the basement. She doesn't leave without my say-so."

I lock eyes with him. "You're going to regret this, Adrian."