A Matter Of Justice (Grey Justice #4)(59)

Tonight, he lived to impress. Nodding at the men who’d led his targets into the arena, they unlocked the shackles and cuffs and left. The instant his prey were free, they bolted toward the exit. Feeling as powerful as a god, Sebastian strode forward and swung the whip. It caught the smaller one, encircling his neck. With a swift, powerful jerk, Sebastian swept the man off his feet and then flung him to the ground. The pop of his neck was almost obscured by the audience’s gasp.

Sebastian was unable to appreciate their awe. The big one changed course and charged him like an enraged bull. Startled, he backed up slightly and looked around. The man was getting too close for the whip to work. His mind in a panic, he picked up the gun he’d used earlier and unloaded the entire magazine into the giant’s massive chest. The thudding crash of his big body echoed through the now silent arena.

His breath coming in gasps, Sebastian dared a peek at his audience. As he had instructed, the stadium lights had been turned on once the demonstration was over. He had anticipated seeing the awe and respect he deserved. Instead, he was stunned into immobility by their expressions. Boredom. He even saw anger in a few. No one seemed the least bit impressed with his power or expertise. Admittedly, the last kill hadn’t gone as smoothly as he would have liked, but quick thinking had nevertheless ensured the kill.

Refusing to believe that he had not earned their admiration, Sebastian gave his most arrogant smile and bowed. He had learned bravado from a master. His head held high, he turned and walked out of the arena without a backward glance.





Chapter Twenty-Four





Dallas, Texas





She couldn’t sit down. She and Dr. Tobin had been together for years. There wasn’t a thing she didn’t know about Irelyn and what she had done. Fortunately, the therapist was used to her rambling and walking at the same time, which was good, because Irelyn couldn’t seem to settle in one place.

“He actually acts as if he really trusts me.”

“And you don’t think he’s telling the truth?”

“Grey doesn’t lie. If he said it, then it’s the truth.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

She whirled around. “I’m afraid I’ll let him down.” She didn’t add the word that they were both thinking. Again.

“Wouldn’t it be wise to take what he says at face value? You haven’t been the Irelyn he couldn’t trust for a very long time.”

“I know. I know. I just—”

“What’s really bothering you, Irelyn?”

“I killed my brother last night.”

The stark words hung out there like some kind of ugly, dark entity. Not many people could say that without getting at least a raised brow. Sheila Tobin was the exception. She merely said, “How did that happen?”

Irelyn told her everything, from how she found out that she had a brother, to how she’d gone about locating him. She held nothing back, including the men she killed to attract Dark’s attention.

“Let’s get back to your brother in a moment. Tell me about these men you terminated.”

“They were assassins…killers. That was the only way I could get Dark’s attention. He wouldn’t have been impressed if I terminated an ordinary person. Killing a killer takes more skill.”

“Would you have killed an ordinary person if it would have impressed him?”

“Of course not.”

The therapist smiled. “Good. You need to recognize that. Now continue.”

Irelyn frowned, distracted for a moment, and then said, “I killed them, and then Dark contacted me.”

“Why are you avoiding talking about the men you killed?”

“What do you want me to say? They were bad men.”

“Who were they, and what did they do?”

Talking about them in the abstract was so much easier than giving actual details. Of course, Dr. Tobin knew this and would continue to press until Irelyn acknowledged whatever the therapist believed she was avoiding. After years of therapy, Irelyn knew the drill.

She took a breath and began. She didn’t bother to individualize them, as they had all been monsters. Instead, she told Dr. Tobin about their victims, families who were killed, the children massacred.

After all Irelyn had told her through the years, the therapist was almost immune to being shocked, but there was a definite glimmer of horror in her expression when Irelyn finished.

“So these men destroyed countless lives, killed innocent people, including children? And would likely have continued to do so if you hadn’t killed them?”

“Yes.”

“Does it help to know that you saved lives by doing so?”

It did and it didn’t. Explaining that was impossible.

“I’m glad they can’t hurt anyone any longer, but the sad part about this business is that someone will always take their place.”

“What about the man you killed last night?”

“You mean my brother?”

“Did you have a choice?”

“No. He was there to kill Grey. If I hadn’t pulled the trigger, Grey would be—” She couldn’t even finish the sentence.

“You saved another life. This time, someone very important to you.”