Chapter 44: One Way Or Another…

For a moment, Lucas's words hung in the air, settling in my chest with a heavy, dull ache. He wanted to make things right, but the damage was already done, the rage in me simmering too hotly to be soothed.

"I'll help you bring them down," he said, his tone harder than I'd ever heard it, thrusting a small black notebook toward me. "I'll give you everything I know about the Order. I'll make sure they regret what they did to you."

I felt betrayal sear through me, swift and unforgiving. "Leave, Lucas. Now. Or I'll call the Ashfords and let them know that someone with ties to the Order is currently standing before me and he's threatening me. What do you think they do to you?"

He stepped forward, desperation breaking through his hardened resolve. "We both know that you can't tell them that. They'd question how you knew I'm a part of the Order. Freya, please. Just listen to me—"