CHAPTER FOUR

LORI

“I’ll need a few details,” Vince states.

I sigh deeply, steeling myself to recount the last seven months of my life without letting emotions overwhelm me. My gaze drifts to the expansive green landscape outside the balcony, grounding me in the present. 

“Can I get some air, please?” I request.

Vince nods quietly, then steps up to the bed, lifting me like a cracked egg, fragile and vulnerable to even the slightest misstep. He guides me to the balcony, where two sturdy patio chairs are facing outward.

Vince helps me settle into the chair, and I exhale in relief as the soft, firm cushion hugs my back. I’m grateful he chose comfort over rigid seating. He sits quietly beside me, his gaze intent, the steady weight of his grey eye locking onto mine, making my body tense. 

“So what do you want to know?” I prompt, uncertain of his next question.

“I’m guessing seven months and six days ago is when Barrett rejected you?” Vince speaks so casually, like it isn’t so serious.

“Well, adding the past two that I slept through, yeah,” I respond, matching his casual tone.

“Why? What did you do that was so bad?” 

My heart races, accelerating as if on nitro, but I know I can’t avoid the conversation forever. Despite how impossible it feels, talking about it might bring some relief. I let the events replay in my mind, carefully restructuring each moment to tell it accurately.

“Two years ago, I discovered that Barrett was doing some deals with the packs of the North.” Vince stiffens, and I nod.

“Yep, that’s how I felt when I found out.” I continue. “I tried talking some sense into him, but he kept saying it was to strengthen the pack. After a few tries, Barrett became distant, and I decided to take matters into my own hands.”

“What did you do?” Vince asks, eager to hear the whole of it.

“I intercepted what I believed was the biggest deal at the time by altering the drop location. Even then, I had no idea what it actually contained. The files I found lacked details, but what I uncovered at the site went far beyond my assumptions.”

I pause for a few seconds, taking slow, steady breaths. Vince remains mute and motionless, as if sensing the gravity of my discovery, and I lock my gaze onto his.

“Weapons. Lots of them.” 

“Weapons?” Vince asks with knitted brows. “What for?”

“A war.” My voice is firm, and Vince’s eye widens. “A war Barrett intends to use to take over the entire west side.” 

Vince shakes his head in disbelief, then looks down, clearly weighing the situation. After a tense pause, his head snaps up, eyes blazing with rage. 

“I’ll stop him.” He stands abruptly, stomping past me toward the door.

“How?” I stop him in his tracks. How do you think you’d do that? By an open confrontation?”

He lowers his head, a moment of realization hitting him. Entering Malrock unprepared will only make things more complicated.

“You won’t find the proof of what I just told you,” I explain. “After that deal fell through, Barrett took control of all the documents himself.”

“But there has to be something I can do.” Vince glares down at me. 

Funny how I don’t find his one working eye weird, as I’ve heard many describe it to be. 

“Yes, I know that feeling, but it’s what got me where I am now.” I offer a rueful smile, tilting my head back to meet his eyes.

“I’ll have to find a way, Lori.”

“You think I didn’t try? Do you have any idea how dark my life became when Barrett discovered I ruined his business? Seven months of intense terror, even after losing one of my babies.”

I feel my face heat up in fury, and I lower my head, blinking away tears welling up in my eyes.

“There were two?” Vince turns to face me. 

I nod slowly, fighting to hold back the tears. The pain feels raw every time I think about it, which is why I’ve avoided it. No amount of relief from saving one of my babies can erase the weight of the loss.

“Barrett discovered I had interfered with his deal on the same day I planned to tell him I was pregnant.” I sniffle, my head still lowered, as a single tear slides down my cheek.

The sound of Vince’s giant footsteps makes me look up in surprise as he storms out of the room. I watch him leave, the door left wide open behind him. Turning my gaze to the vast green landscape ahead, I let out a deep sigh.

Muffled voices drift up from downstairs, and I glance over my shoulder as a car engine roars to life and speeds away. I scowl, a brief pang of regret flickering, but I shake it off. If I’m going to get my revenge on Barrett, why wait? 

I haven’t told Vince everything—he’s not ready for it yet. The last thing I need is for him to doubt me or second-guess helping me. Barrett will pay and then some. My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching the door, and Lola steps in. 

“What did you tell him that has him so pissed?” She gestures with her thumb over her shoulder with furrowed brows. 

“I haven’t seen him this upset in a while.” She adds.

I scoff humorlessly, sniffling as I wipe the remnants of tears from my eyes. Lola steps onto the balcony and sits on the other chair, turning slightly to face me. 

“Who won’t be?” I say, slightly above a whisper.

“What did that fool do to you that was so bad?” She scowls.

‘There’s no turning back now.’ I ponder, ‘This is my life now, secrets laid bare.’

Lola is still gazing at me, the question evident in her eyes. 

“I was pregnant with twins.”

She gasps, “No!”