Even though Sebastian has since moved on, I think he may have cared a little more for Katy than anyone realized, although I doubt he would ever admit to it.
“He said that if I came back and fixed everything, he’d make sure Katy got the justice she deserved. He also admitted that she wasn’t the only death he had on his hands,” I point out.
“I know what he did for my father. I knew his secret even though he did everything he could to keep it from me. I’m not blind to what has gone on in this house, Ethan,” he says, sounding stern.
I’m startled by the fierceness in his tone, and I realize that while Sebastian may only be eighteen years old, he’s mature beyond his years. I can already see the way he’s stepping into the role left unfilled in Devin’s absence and following his father’s death and it’s been merely hours—actually, no. He took control of the situation from the moment he called the ambulance.
I’m hit by the fact that out of all the Johnson men, Sebastian is the only one who has truly earned my respect. It helps that he’s never done me wrong, and while I may hold a bead of resentment toward him for bringing Katy into his world, he couldn’t have predicted the outcome of that. He’s not his father, and he’s not Devin. There’s more to him than meets the eye. I don’t know what secrets are fueling him right now, but I sense that he’s not as innocent as Devin would no doubt prefer him to be. There’s darkness in this family, and each of the men carry a different part of it within them.
My heart becomes somewhat lighter at the news about Devin being awake. I feel some of the tension I wasn't aware I’d been carrying slowly begin to ebb. I’m not entirely sure when I became invested in Devin’s wellbeing, but I suspect it was when I fought so hard to keep him alive in that office instead of letting him bleed out. Sebastian wants me to talk Devin out of going to the cops about the murders, but I’m of two minds because while he did save my life, he’s also partially responsible for the loss of Katy’s. I’m also wondering whether his statement would be dismissed by the police as I’m sure the pockets of The Society are deep when it comes to protecting their own.
“You have to talk him out of it. You do realize that the other families are unlikely to allow him to open his mouth about it, because him admitting to murder would bring the entire Society into disrepute and under investigation for everything they’ve sought to keep secret from the world.”
“Does he know that?” I ask, and Sebastian gives me a scathing look.
“He’d be an idiot not to expect some kind of repercussion for spilling secrets and drawing attention to our Society.”
My blood runs cold at his words. He’s right. They’d kill him before they’d allow that to happen. I’ve not forgiven him for what he was a part of, but I didn’t work to keep him alive only for him to get himself killed right after.
“Fuck. I’ll do it. I’ll go down there and convince him not to do it.”
“Thank you, Ethan. I know it won’t be easy. You wanted justice for Katy, and while Devin may have dealt the final blow, the man who’s really responsible is dead. Devin has paid for it in blood, and he put his life on the line for you. Don’t forget that,” Sebastian says sharply.
“I haven’t forgotten. I’ll do this, but don’t ask anything more of me, because if you do then the answer will be no.”
Epilogue
Devin
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes were the familiar brown hues of Sebastian. I’ve been in the hospital for several days now, and it still hurts every time I shift or breathe. My father is dead and I’m sure Ethan still hates me, although Sebastian seems to think he’s coming round. He told me that after he walked in on us when I shot our father that I’d collapsed, and Ethan was the one who held me and did everything he could to stop me from dying on my father’s office floor.
I’m restless and want out, but the doctors and nurses have insisted I remain here for a few more days due to the heavy blood loss I suffered. The doctor informed me that they lost me briefly in the ambulance ride on the way to the hospital. I have shit to do, and I don’t want to be lying around in bed. My argument isn’t helped by the fact that I’m hit with a wave of dizziness and my legs nearly give out every time I stand. I can deal with the pain, but even I have to begrudgingly admit that I’m still very weak.
So far Sebastian has been back every day to visit me, and after I told him my plan to go to the cops about Katy's death, each time since he’s attempted to talk me into reneging on the deal I made with Ethan. He’s attempted to warn me what The Society will do if they find out my intentions, but I didn’t need him to tell me that. I’m fully aware of the repercussions of divulging Society secrets and what they will do to anyone who draws attention to what goes on behind the closed doors of our organization.
A knock on my hospital room door draws my attention and pulls me out of my thoughts.
“Come in!” I invite whoever’s out there.
The door opens slowly, and I’m astonished to see Ethan walk through it and into the room. He looks nervous, and unsure as he approaches, and when he
