#Chapter 202 – Burton’s Secret

Rafe frowns at me.

“Boys,” Rafe says, not looking at them. “Go play in the living room.”

Ian opens his mouth – full of pancakes – to protest, but Rafe interrupts.

“Take your food,” he says, his voice low and dismissive, “try eating them off the floor like a puppy. No forks, not hands.” The boys, sufficiently distracted and eager for this weird new experience, grab their plates and head off.

I watch them go and then return my eyes to Rafe, who leans forward onto the table.

“There’s more to this,” he says, looking between Victor and I and tapping the table with his index finger, “more than you two are letting on. And I want to know what it is.”

“Honestly,” I say, looking up at Victor for confirmation. He nods along with me. “Honestly, Rafe,” I say, looking at him with wide eyes, “we really don’t know.”

I hear someone clear their throat behind me and I turn, surprised to see Burton standing there, his kitchen tasks abandoned. Victor and Rafe follow in suit, likewise looking at the butler. “Luckily,” Burton says, “I do know what is going on.”

He neatly folds his hands behind his back. “But,” he continues, shaking his head gravely. “You’re not going to like it.”

The three of us just stare at Burton, our mouths open. Silence reigns at the table.

It’s broken, of course, by the twins.

“Mom!” Ian shouts from the living room, laughing. “Mom, stop him! He’s trying to steal my whipped cream!”

My eyes flit to the living room, where Alvin is crawling towards Ian growling, looking more like a bear cub than a puppy. Archie jumps along beside him, eyeing the pancakes eagerly.

Suddenly, I can’t stand the absurdity of the moment.

My chest still aches, a little, from my coughing fit, but I ignore it as I start to laugh. A little giggle at first, and then a full throated thing.

After a moment, Victor joins in with me, shaking his head, as he puts his head in his hand, laughing his low chuckle.

this life,” he

says, not getting it, looking between us.

eye. “It’s just so –“ I’m interrupted, then, with another peal of my own laughter. “It’s just so ridiculous – Victor almost dies last night, and today my sons are in the living room stealing whipped cream, and

that and I join along with

honestly, I know that it’s not really funny – but we’re just so exhausted and the past few days and weeks have been

leaning back in his chair, smiling, seeing the absurdity of it as well.

see you smile, Madame, Monsieur,” he says, looking

towards the twins’ empty chairs. “Please, sit down with us, let us know what’s going on. Because honestly,

resting my elbow on the table and putting my chin in my

coughing up blood? I’m tired, of course, but

sit, then, folding his hands neatly

beg your forgiveness,” he

just studies him with somber eyes.

been lying to you since the moment that we

shocked by this – my eyes go wide when I hear his words. Victor, likewise,

nods, hanging his head. “I am

table. “I…did background checks. Everything you told us about your identity –

not meeting our eyes. “The people for whom I work…they are powerful. They were able to ensure that the basic information that I gave

murmurs, looking seriously at his brother. “We’ve got to get our

holding up a hand towards Victor and keeping his gaze fixed on Burton.

must tell you that I never worked to harm you – every moment in your service has been an absolute honor, and one

at him with gratitude written on his face. “We believe you – never, not once, have you done anything but good things for us, for our children. I suspect,” Victor looks at me, then, taking my hand, “that you’ve known…something. About Evelyn and I. Long

when we first met him, that he was extremely kind to me – that he

to do what he should have done, which is leave Amelia for me right then. But Victor

Burton really known, so far

says, encouraging. “Tell

was born,” he says, “to a sacred order of wolves. We are very secretive about our knowledge, which we are all sworn to protect and defend. It is our birthright and

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255