Loyal by Default: Legacy of Carter Reed (Assassin's Heart #2)

by K.C. Mills

There will always be a lie attached to us.”

“Attached to us but not between us. As long as we keep it that way then I’m fine. What person on this earth doesn’t have secrets? We are who we are. You’re mine, I’m yours.”

If my parents taught me anything about marriage and relationships it was to keep your personal affairs private. It’s nobody’s business but your own.”

“Bet. You want to do this solo, then ball the fuck out. But if you’re not out here in twenty minutes I’ll be the one explaining to my father why I was the one who saved your ass because you went on a suicide mission when you didn’t have to. Twenty minutes or I’m coming in there.”

“I wonder if this is how my mother felt the day someone pulled up on her and placed a gun to her head. I wonder if she had the same thoughts you’re having right now.”

“And what are my thoughts?”

“Fear and betrayal.”

Fear of losing her life and the betrayal of knowing someone had sent a gunman to take it.

“What is it you think I need to explain?”

“You sent someone to kill your own daughter. You don’t think that deserves an explanation?”

“No, and I didn’t send anyone to kill her. She was no longer my daughter the day she ran like a coward, dishonoring me. Your mother was a disappointment, she betrayed me, our family. She deserved much worse than she received. But, I still enjoy...

It took Carter a minute to fully process. He knew Gatete had been the one who made the call to kill his mother but never once considered he was the one who had pulled the trigger. The last bit of restraint Carter was ...

Now I get to enjoy you taking your last br...

Gahigi.

“You’re Keza’s son…” Carter didn’t respond. It wasn’t a question. His uncle was confirming his thoughts out loud.

“After what I just heard, had you not killed him, I would have done so myself.”

“I always assumed. I never knew for sure but deep down I knew he was the one. He was so angry when your mother chose Shadow over our family. No one goes against Gatete or disrespects his wishes. Keza did.”

“...

“Love.”

“She loved your father. They were young and stupid. Keza was sixteen when my father brought Shadow here. He was nineteen, but age means nothing when your heart’s involved. He was my father’s property, a soldier, loving anyone wasn’t allowed. However, loving my sister was forbidden. That’s not how things worked here under my father’s command. Especially not for Shadow. He was one of the best gunmen we had ever seen. Training here only made him more deadly. Killing came naturally. The skill and way he handled weapons was…”

“R...

“That doesn’t explain why your father didn’t want...

“My father didn’t give a damn about the men he trained. He saw them as assets, property. A way to increase his wealth and power. He was going to make a ...

“It was. Loyalty and respect are everything. Keza betrayed him by telling Shadow. Shadow was disloyal for loving his daughter. When they ran, they cost him money, embarrassed him in front of his own men. How do you lead when you don’t own the loyalty of the men you control? What’s simple to you was not for him.”

“Why should I believe that you’re any different from him?”

“Because if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be here.”

“I’m the one who told her about the deal my father brokered for Shadow. He was my friend. She was my sister. She loved him and even if I didn’t feel them being together was a good idea, it was what she wanted. I di...

“He still killed her,” Carter said, the words hea...

“But she had a life that never would have happened if she would have stayed and obeyed his wishes. She lived t...

“Do you know who we are?”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Killing my father is not going to be received well by a lot of people. I’m giving you my word that no one will ever find out who killed him.”

“I don’t give a fuck who you tell,” Carter asserted with confidence and ...

“You are your father’s son.” His eyes met Carter’s when he added, “I’m giving you my word that no one will know. I’m also offering you wha...

Leadership in Angels ...

Carter’s first and only thought was of McKenna. She was already sacrificing enough by being with him. He wouldn’t make things worse by...

“I don’t want any of this shit. Do whateve...

“We’re family. You can deny me, but I will never deny you. I failed your mothe...

Carter didn’t respond, he walked away with the weight of knowing that killing Gatete hadn’t given him the peace he expected and neither did having answers about why his parents died. But at least now, he could let the...

McK...

“I-I… don’t wanna die.”

“Most people don’t. It’s the one inevitability in life that most people can’t reconcile in their minds. Everyone dies. How it happens is often out of our control but you get a choice. Quick and easy…”

“Or long and p...

“You’re going to die but I’m giving y...

“I don’t want your money, Jace. I want you to pull the fucking trigger so that I can go home and fuck my wife.”

Wife, she wasn’t my wife yet but she would be soon.

Carter exhaled a sigh at the thought of her thinking she was earning his trust.

The only woman he trusted was at his apartment, in his bed.

He could give her anything her heart desired, and would, but all she wanted was him. Even if he didn’t deserve her, he would selfishly keep McKenna in his life and do everything in his power to keep her safe and make sure she was loved.

A few minutes passed and Carter felt her breathing level again so he reached for her left hand, slid the diamond on her finger, and softly pressed a kiss to her knuckle before his eyes closed and his breathing fell in sync with hers.