Burning Moth

Chapter Thirteen, Part One - Power and Control

Everything was different.

Nothing felt the same.

"I never got to thank you for saving me from Lorenzo." I stood still, lifting my hair from my shoulders as Nicholias zipped my dress.

"I'm pretty sure you just did..." He walked around me, his fingertips never leaving my shoulder, a steady source of comfort.

"Nick, how did you find me? That night you... stopped Lorenzo?"

Nick lifted my wrist, nodding at his watch. "Tracker. Got tired of people stealing my shit."

"But you're ok with your family stealing me?" I turned my head to the side, studying the cold, empty fireplace. Together, we had more heat than it could ever provide, but sometimes all that friction between us sparked an inferno. This time the one getting burned was me.

"They didn't steal you, Scar. I gave you to them."

"Why?"

"You were sick, and I had just killed someone... I needed help. I'm sorry."

"Oh, you're damn right you're sorry." I jabbed his chest with my finger. "You're lucky I've had time to adjust to the Stockholm Syndrome. If it wasn't for Diesel and Isa I'd be furious with you. But, as it stands, I've got more important things to worry about--like your mother. I know Emily is looking for any excuse to get rid of me--and if I don't get her that stupid diary she will."

"Scar, you know I won't let anything bad happen to you."

"Have you met your mother? She could be herself for Halloween! Out of all the Dixons, Emily is definitely the one to be afraid of."

Nick chuckled. "Well, considering she's technically the only Dixon in our family, I suppose that makes sense."

"Wait, I'm confused. What do you mean Emily's the only Dixon?"

Nick bit his lip in hesitation, then pulled me closer to the bed. He took a seat on the edge, clasping my hand between his. "I mean... Dixon is my mother's maiden name. My father changed his surname, after he moved to America to be with my mother."

"An-n-n-nd... why would he feel the need to change his name?"

Nick sighed. "Because our family is part of an elaborate crime syndicate, the Mafia. Years ago, my father was double-crossed. The Sicilian government wanted him gone, so he made a deal with Parlamento. If he left Italy, and his name, behind, then their firing squad wouldn't hunt him down."

"Oh." Nick had taken all my wind. My sails hung limp with shame. "Then what's your dad's real last name?"

He shrugged. "You tell me."

"Nick, I don't get it. Why didn't you say any of this before? Were you worried I would tell someone?"

"No, of course not. But, Scar, if I tried to bring you up to speed on every bad thing my family's ever done, we'd be here for a while. Besides, I don't need more reasons for you to hate me."

I squinted, trying to see past the haze of moonlight and mystery, to the real Nick underneath. "Why would I hate you?"

A sharp knock put a pin in the conversation. We stared at the doorway. Nick squeezed my hand and didn't let go. Together we crossed the room, stepping out into the Fairway's brightly lit hall.

Graham smirked, his arms folded across his suit–Armani like his brother's, and he filled it just as nicely. "Time's up lovebirds. Hope you enjoyed yourselves."

I smiled, lacing my fingers through Nick's. "Yes, Graham, because you weren't there." I heard the lilting murmur of raised voices from the ballroom below. I raised my eyebrows. After what had just happened, why had no one left?

"Police came while you two were... busy. So far all they've questioned are the staff and our folks."

I didn't have to ask why, I knew what the police were here for–the horrifying picture that had popped up on the projection's screen during Mr. Dixon's speech. Its ghastly afterimage flashed across my mind's eye, the memory lingering like sunspots. I shivered. "Please tell me that picture was a fake."

Graham's smile broadened at my plea, so girlish and weak. "Well, if it was fake, they probably wouldn't be arresting him." With a Joker's grin, Graham nodded his head towards the crowd below...

Nicholias and I met Graham at the banister. I took my place between them, shooting Graham an awful glare before turning my gaze downwards. I gasped, hardly feeling Nick's suddenly crushing grip, as a young man was escorted through the crowd. He was sandwiched between two officers, his hands cuffed behind his back.

I know where the bodies are...

"No." But I knew I was too late.

The two brothers looked down between them, to their own defeated prisoner. Unlike the man being arrested, I was truly guilty.

Something inside me reacted like a reflex. I turned from the banister, prepared to run for the stairs. I hadn't made it three steps before an arm wrapped around my waist, hauling me back to my fate.

"Where the hell are you going?" Graham's hiss set my blood racing. I wrenched from his grip, stumbling into Nicholias. He reached for me and I snubbed him too.

"Finn did this!" I glared at them both, the apex of this shitty triangle. "I don't know how, but he's responsible for what happened tonight, he planned this! That man the police are dragging away? He's innocent, and I can't just stand by and let his life get ruined--"

"That's exactly what you'll do." Graham's snarl was followed by an iron grip on my elbow. "He had access to the projector, his fingerprints will be all over the equipment--he's going down and my mother will ensure it happens. Think, Scarlet. You wanted in, now you have to play by the rules." Graham turned his fiery gaze on his brother. "What happened, brother? I thought you said you'd keep her in line?"

He and I fumed at Nicholias.

Chicken-shit lying coward! "Go ahead, Nick. Put me in line." Or have you already? I hated him for not defending me, for betraying me once again–first to his family, now his brother. "It's one thing for you to commit murder for me, but to stand by and let an innocent man go to jail? How can you do that?" He turned his gaze from me, his jaw flexing as he ground his teeth. "Answer me!"

Graham slunk his way into view. "Wanna know why it's so easy, Scarlet? Survival. The man in that picture is already dead, nothing will bring him back. He's useless, it's why my father killed him--" I gasped but Graham drew me upright, holding on with both hands so I couldn't escape. "If Finn's responsible for this that means he has more evidence against my family--we have to stop him from doing more damage." He gave me a shake. "Otherwise, you might as well go downstairs and speed up the process. Go ahead, tell the pigs everything you know." Another shake. "But just remember, you'll be putting your little boyfriend away too..." Scared straight, I turned to Nick. He looked away, unable to face my disgust. "Be the hero, Scar, choose." This time it was Graham's heartless taunting that shook me to my senses.

"Wh-what?"

"Choose--like your boyfriend did. He killed that idiot in the woods--a sacrifice he has to live with for the rest of his life because he's stupid enough to love you! So now it's your turn, Miss High-And-Mighty. Think it's so easy to do the right thing--then fucking choose! It's either Nicholias, or the man in cuffs. One of them's going down, Doll-Face, and it's all up to you..."

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DUN DUN DUN-N-N-N-N-N

Hey guys! I know this update is, like, way overdue : 0 It's just college has been kicking my ass lately. It's hard to maintain straight A's AND make time for your writing too lol

But if you forgive me and you liked this chapter, please vote and add this to your library! Thanks guys! <3