Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(20)

Now she’s standing over Jen, looking like an avenging angel. Her heeled boot is on Jen’s throat, and the sword in her hand is hovering just over her rib cage. My cousin’s trying to struggle, but it’s no use. Faith isn’t budging, and in fact, she looks like she’s enjoying this whole thing a little too much.

“Let her go, Faith. I’m fine.”

“You wouldn’t have been if I hadn’t walked in. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum over there are useless.”

“We were in shock for a few seconds, but we would’ve stopped her,” Noah says.

“Darcy could’ve been dead in a few seconds.”

“What is going on in here?”

I turn to see my uncle rush outside. He’s understandably upset to see his daughter on the floor with a sword being held over her. He sees Darcy, and seems to grow even paler.

“Jen and Darcy were fencing, and then Jen was holding her and threatening her. Her friend, Faith, stepped in.”

“Jenysis? You were going to harm Darcy?”

“Of course I was. What is wrong with everyone in this family? She stole our jewels, and won’t tell Brayden where they are. Shagging her and being nice doesn’t seem to be working. I figured a little force would do the trick.” Well, there goes the secret keeping. Thanks Noah.

“I raised you better than this.”

“You raised me away from my home, and my family. All because of her.”

“No. It was because of a very dangerous man who wanted me to marry you off to him when you were thirteen. We did not leave because of some missing jewels.”

“They’re connected.”

“What?”

“I heard you and mum. I know the jewels and the man are connected. I need answers as much as Bray does. She has to tell us.” What? Steven knew? Things are getting crazier by the minute.

“You should’ve come to me or your mother when you finished your eavesdropping. Things are not always as they are seen—or heard.”

“Stop protecting me. I can protect myself.”

“There are some things you don’t need to know. Now apologize to Darcy and maybe her friend will allow you to live another day.”

She doesn’t want to, but she also isn’t ready to die, so she does what he asks. “I’m sorry, Darcy. I’ll try to restrain myself from killing you.”

“I suggest you do more than try,” Faith says as she lets her up.

“Do you need help, Darcy?” Noah asks her, surprising me.

“No. You should help Jenysis. I mean, she’s like a sister to you, right?”

“Yes, I am. What are you, jealous? You should be—Noah’s awesome.”

“Shut. Up. Now, Jen,” my uncle tells her, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so angry.

“It’s just a little cut. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m going with you,” I tell her.

“Actually, I think Darcy and the rest of us from the Society need to have a little talk. You can see her later.”

I don’t want to let her go, but I’m guessing that none of them knew about the jewels. I know she’ll need to tell them whatever she can. Maybe they can convince her to tell me everything.

“I’ll give you an hour,” I tell her, helping her to her feet and the kissing her softly.

“You’ll give her as long as we need,” Faith says. “Or we all leave.”

“Don’t Faith. It’s really okay.”

“Since you’re injured, I’ll let you win at the video games tonight,” I say, trying to break the tension in the room.

It works, as she laughs and then kisses me again. “I always win, Crown. You should remember that.”

“At those games maybe, but you know I can’t let you win at the rest, Cat.”

“I have a feeling neither of us will win. I’ll see you later.”

We kiss one more time, and then she’s gone. I’m pretty sure she’s right, though. We’re both going to lose, and it’s going to cost us more than just some family jewels.





Chapter 8


Darcy

“You’re f*cking him?” Nate asks from the video screen on the wall in my game room. “Really?”

“That’s not what we’re here to talk about,” Reina reminds him.

“It’s what I want to talk about. She should be staying away from that little prick.”

“Um, hello. Weren’t you the one who told me he seemed like a good guy before I started the mission?”

“That was before he threatened you, and his cousin tried to kill you.”

“He’s not a bad guy. He just thinks I have some information he needs.”

“About some stolen jewels. Did you steal them?” Faith asks.

“I can’t talk about it.”

“So, you did. You should’ve told us about this, Darce. How can I protect you if I don’t have all of the details?” Reina asks.

“Like I said, Rei, I can’t talk about it.”

“I’m your boss, and I’m telling you that I need to know.”

“I’ll quit.”

“It’s that important for you to keep your secrets?”