An hour later, I’m up and pacing the room. Sylas is sitting in Dad’s chair, flipping through the surveillance cameras.

“He’s here,” he says. I take a breath.

“Are you ready?”

He shakes his head.

“No, but I don’t think I’ll ever be. I just want this to be done.” I want that for him too, but I don’t think it will ever be done. You don’t get over something like this. You just learn how to live with it.

We’re out of the office and heading for the front door when Dad walks in.

I nearly gasp.

It hasn’t been that long since I saw him last and he looks like he’s aged ten years. He’s thin and haggard and stooped, like his back is hurting.

“Dad?” I say and he looks up. Dark circles are carved under his eyes, so blue against his skin.

“Saige,” he says, blinking at me. He drops his suitcase and Mom comes out to give him a cold kiss on the cheek and pretend she gives a shit that he’s home. They share a whispered conversation and she takes his bag and starts going upstairs. I know it’s a dummy bag. The real stuff he brought with him, weapons and so forth, are still in the car and will be put back in their hidden places within the house my mother doesn’t know about.

Martha bustles out, asking him he needs tea or food or anything.

“No, thank you. I just need to go to my office,” he says, giving her a weak smile.

Sylas is rigid beside me. His eyes haven’t left Dad’s face, but Dad can’t seem to look at Sylas. Martha heads back to the kitchen to make a tray of food and drinks anyway. Dad sighs.

“Let’s go to my office and I’ll debrief you,” he says wearily. I let him lead the way and every step he takes looks like it hurts him. What has he been through?

He crashes into his office chair and then rests his head in his hands as if his neck is too tired to hold it up anymore.

I lock the door and sit down on one of the leather chairs. Sylas takes the other and we wait for him to start. Silence is thick in the room, clogging my lungs. Sylas is breathing heavily next to me.

“Is he dead,” he says, and it’s not a question. It’s a demand.

Dad lifts his head.

“Yes. He’s dead.” He pulls something out of his pocket and tosses it at Sylas. It’s a tiny flash drive. “That has pictures. We got him with the long-range and then went in and got the body. It’s been disposed of.” He doesn’t elaborate on the method of disposal, but I know he’s got people working for him who know how to hide a body and make sure it’s never found. They’ve done it before and they can do it again without blinking.

Sylas takes the flash drive and turns it over and over in his hands.

“If you want the full details, they’re in there. I just have one request. That you destroy all the evidence after you’ve read it. If you share it with anyone, I’ll know.” He doesn’t even need a threat. Sylas knows what my father is capable of. More so than I do, apparently.

“I will,” Sylas says quietly, still staring at the flash drive.

Dad turns his attention to me.

“You haven’t been around much, Saige,” he says and I wish Sylas wasn’t here right now.

“I know. I’ve been busy. Next week is finals.” He knows that.

“Right, right,” he says and I feel a rift opening between us. Dad and I have always understood one another on a very deep level. I trusted him and he trusted me (or at least I thought he did) and I relied on him more than anyone else. He was the one constant in my life.

But not anymore. I don’t need to lean on him. It’s time I stand on my own.

“I don’t want to work for you anymore. And I want you to let Sylas go.” I didn’t mean to say it exactly that way, but that’s how it comes out.

Dad gapes at me. I guess I’ve surprised him. Sylas stops spinning the flash drive in his hands next to me.

“I’m not sure what you’re saying, Saige.” His shock wears off in a fraction of a second and now his eyes are narrowing. He’s moving from shocked to pissed. Fine, I can deal with that. I’m pissed too.

“I want to have my own life. I don’t want to lie and sneak around anymore. I don’t want to keep secrets. I want to finish school and travel and look at art and do what I want,” I say. I don’t let my eyes leave his face as I speak. I need to know what his naked reaction is.

His face changes so fast I can’t even latch onto one single emotion except for one I’ve never seen him give me, but I’ve seen him give it to other people.

Betrayal.

I’ve been his companion, his protégé my whole life and now I’m throwing it back in his face. All his work to make me like him and I don’t want it.

“Would you excuse us, Sylas?” Dad says, finally looking away from me.

“No,” I say. “Whatever you say to me, he can be here for. Besides, this concerns him.” If I’m really being honest, I want Dad to release all of them. I’ve never met the rest of his team, but they should be free to do what they want.

“I’d really rather discuss it with just the two of us,” Dad says slowly and carefully. If this were a few months ago, I would have backed down. I’d have deferred to his experience and age and the fact that he’s my father. Not anymore. It’s time I took control of my life.

“No,” I say, crossing my arms. “I love you, but it has to stop. I’m your daughter, not your minion.” Another bolt of betrayal shoots across his features.

“I know you’re not my minion, Saige. Why are you doing this? What is this about?” He’s not hearing me.

“This is about me, and Sylas and the rest of his team. You’re using all of us and it’s not right. It’s not right. If we choose to work for you, then that’s one thing. But blackmailing people to do your bidding? You’re no better than the people you’re going after.” I’m being harsh, but he’s not going to listen if I cushion the blow.

Dad shakes his head slowly, as if he can’t believe what he’s hearing.

“I can’t believe you, Saige. My own daughter.”

It’s hard not to cry. I’m already on the edge. No matter what happens, when we leave this room, our relationship will never be the same.

“I am your daughter and I love you, but you’re hurting someone I care about. And you’re hurting me,” I say slowly. Sylas is completely still beside me. I think he’s going to say something to back me up, but he’s letting me talk.

“That’s not what I’m doing, Saige.”

“Yes, it is. You told me you would never take Lizzy away from Sylas and then you turn around and use her to keep him working for you? Who does that? Why would you do that, Dad?” I’m grateful that he at least flinches.

“That’s not what I said.” I don’t believe him.

“Yes, it is,” Sylas finally says. “You told me that if I didn’t work for you, you’d make sure I never saw my sister again.” It’s chilling to hear the actual threat spoken aloud. Now Dad is getting angry.

“I’m not discussing this with you right now.” He puts up his hands as if to halt the conversation.

“No. You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to walk away.” I don’t realize I’m on my feet until I’m looking down at him.

“Saige!” he yells, also getting to his feet. Now he’s the one looking down.

“Let’s take a minute,” a voice says and I turn my head. I’d forgotten for a moment Sylas was even here. Now he’s the one holding up his hands for us to cool things down. I know my father would never lay a hand on me, but we’re both getting heated and if we’re not careful, one of our tempers is going to explode.

Dad runs his hands through his hair.

“I can’t fucking believe this,” he says. I’m shocked because I’ve never heard my father swear like that before. “I can’t fucking believe that my own daughter, who I raised and sacrificed for her whole life is turning on me. This is your fault!” He roars the last part and jabs his finger in Sylas’ direction. Dad’s face is red and there’s a vein popping out on his forehead.

“You’ve corrupted her mind and filled her head with lies!”