The Black Coats(64)
Thea stepped toward him, the world pressing in on her. “And then?”
Drew looked up at her, and Thea was surprised to see tears in his eyes. “And then I put together that you were a member of the Black Coats. Unfortunately, I didn’t put it together quick enough to avoid falling in love with you.”
Her heart stopped beating, and she found that she couldn’t meet his eyes. “And when was that? When you put it together?”
“I knew for sure that day you left on me on the lawn, but I already had my suspicions. When you said your organization was only for women, it was like it all came together at once. After that, the evidence fell like rain. I don’t know how I even missed it at first: the Black Coats recruit girls who have experienced some sort of tragedy, girls who have a reason to hate men. Damaged girls.”
His words moved straight through her, leaving her hollow. Damaged girls.
Drew continued, “I tried following you, but you are impossible to track now that Mirabelle has started driving you, she also being a Black Coats recruit. Once I knew what you were doing, I started trying to ferret out the details that have escaped my dad for years. It was easier said than done; I was falling for you even as I heard the constant lies coming from your mouth. I wanted to expose you, to separate myself from this, to give my dad what he has hunted for almost my entire life. But I couldn’t. So I told my dad the truth. We agreed that I would only try to glean just one essential piece of information from you—the location of the house—but nothing else. My father, believe it or not, cares deeply about my heart.”
Thea couldn’t breathe. “Your dad knows. About me, and the Black Coats. He knew when I was at your house.”
Drew wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Yes, but even then he realized that I couldn’t separate myself from you, couldn’t compartmentalize where our relationship was leading me.” Thea looked up at him as the clouds parted, moonlight not sparing her his strong features. “You pulled me into the moral gray with nothing more than a smile.” He reached for her, and she stepped backward, turning away from him ever so slightly. “Can you understand? Thea, you are both the key to the truth and a lock that has closed around me.”
When he looked at her, Thea could see that Drew spoke in acute misery. “I have no idea where we go from here, but I know two things: I’m in love with a member of the Black Coats, and I won’t deny my father his life’s work. I won’t.” Drew was close now. He reached out for her, and Thea let his fingers caress her cheek. Her lip trembled. She reached for him. “Let me save you from them,” he whispered.
Thea let her hand drop in midair. “I don’t need saving from the Black Coats. You don’t know anything about them. Drew, they saved me. You wouldn’t even recognize me if you saw me four months ago. You love confident, strong me, but you didn’t know sad little Thea who couldn’t even hold it together.”
Drew gave a small shake of his head. “I would have fallen in love with you in any state.”
“Then don’t ask me to compromise mine!” Thea took a step away from him. “I’ve seen firsthand what the Black Coats do, and I believe it’s necessary. We have changed lives, saved lives. You don’t understand the evil that these men do. They hurt women, Drew. They use women; they manipulate women. These men deserve justice.”
“Justice,” snapped Drew, “is not what you are giving. Whatever their crime, men don’t deserve to be executed and have their bodies hidden away forever, where not even their mothers can mourn them.”
“Bodies? Executed?” Thea threw her hands up into the air. “Drew, the Black Coats don’t kill people! I’ve never killed anyone. I would never!”
Drew stared hard at her, and Thea felt all the air around them crackle with electricity.
“You’re right, Thea. The Black Coats don’t kill people. But the Monarchs do.”
Thea blinked. “What did you say?”
The back door slammed open, making both of them jump. Thea’s dad called out over the yard. “Thea, is everything okay?”
She put her hands on the sides of her head. Her parents had heard them arguing. Fantastic. “I’m fine, Dad. We’re just talking.”
“Uh-huh. Hi, Drew.”
“Hello, Mr. Soloman.”
Her dad’s voice was stern. “Drew, it’s pretty late. I think it’s time for Thea to go to bed and for you to head home. I’m sure your father is worried about where you are.”
Drew bowed his head and stuffed his hands back in his pockets, slowly drifting back from Thea, the cracks between them widening. “You’re right, sir. I’ll head out. Good night, Thea.” After a long pause her dad went back inside.
Thea watched in silence as Drew turned and walked away from her. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words didn’t come. He exited their yard through the side gate, his form blending effortlessly into the darkness. When the gate slammed behind him, Thea plucked up the folder, letting the paper slide into her hands. It was as if everything around her was shifting and spinning. With a deep breath, in the light spilling from the house, she read the words to herself.
TEAM MONARCH, CODE MIDNIGHT
TARGET NAME: Adam Porter
DATE OF BALANCING: May 13, 3:30 a.m.
OFFENSE: Former police officer Adam Porter’s investigation of the Black Coats has become a problem. He is getting too close. Make sure he is eliminated with a probable explanation and no possible leads. We will meet at the Breviary when you are finished.