Chapter 41

Daniel.

I was reading on my bed when two Commando Guards entered my room unannounced. One was holding a pair of handcuffs.

“Daniel West, you're under arrest.”

*What?!*

“What for? What did I do? All I do day in and day out is sit in my room and eat. Not much else to do within these stupid walls.” I snapped my book closed and sat up. My eyes darted around the room, looking for a quick escape, but came up empty. For a moment, I didn't know whether to fight or go willingly, hoping they would see that as me being good-natured. Maybe they would think twice if I went along.

I held up my hands to indicate I didn't plan to resist. I stood slowly and walked over to the man with the cuffs.

“Whatever it is you think I've done, though,” I said as he tightened the cuffs around my wrists behind my back, “I didn't do.”

They said nothing more, but led me away. I was lucky the doctor had given me the go-ahead to walk on my cast just the day before. They led me through the hallways and out the front door to a police car. I passed no one, and nobody was there when we drove away.

I recognized the building when we pulled up. My eyes went wide and my heart raced. I didn't think about where I would be held. *Oh please let it not be the bare white room again.* I pleaded to the goddess for a bit of mercy. *Just a normal cell, please.*

They walked me inside and down a hallway to a barred cell. *Thank the goddess!* The guard uncuffed me and shoved me inside. I stumbled, barely catching myself.

“Don't I at least get a phone call?” I called through the bars.

Silence.

I turned around to inspect my new home. It wasn't much, but at least it had a bench and a toilet. I sat down, mindlessly scratching my leg just inside the cast - it was always itchy.

*What could it possibly be that I've done? Or is this punishment for my past mistakes and they're moving me here now that I've recovered enough?*

***

Emily,

“You what?!” I asked, nearly screaming when I heard the news that Daniel was in jail. “On what grounds?”

“There's a mole in the pack. He's the best candidate.”

‘And who determined that?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips.

“Tyler and I. Just think about it. There were only a handful of people who knew where you'd be the two times you were attacked. Out of those people, who has betrayed you before? Hurt you? Worked for Dylon?”

I paused with my mouth open, words eluding me.

“What happened to innocent until proven guilty?” I finally asked, folding my arms across my chest.

“With everything going on, I can't afford the time. I'm being cautious - safe now so I'm not sorry later.”

“Then why not lock everyone up that knew about my plans? Hm?”

“If I can't trust Tyler, I can't trust anyone. And both Lily and Raina went through a tight vetting process to get where they are. The only one I doubt is Daniel.”

“Well I don't.”

“It's not up for debate. I'm simply telling you as a courtesy.”

“This is ridiculous!” I shouted before spinning around and stomping away.

*How could he just throw my brother in jail? Couldn't he see Daniel was mending his ways? He was truly sorry for what he had done. And we had finally started building a new bridge between us. And Eric threw it all away on a hunch.*

I stormed out of the house and ran off toward the jail. I wouldn't let anyone stop me before I had a chance to talk to Daniel myself.

“Emily, wait!” I heard Lily call after me, most likely to keep me from seeing him, or maybe just to keep me safe. But either way I ignored her and kept on running.

I didn't stop until I got inside. Panting, I demanded to know which cell Daniel was in.

“He's not supposed to have visitors,” the man at the front desk said hesitantly.

“I don't fucking care! I'm his sister and Mrs. Savelli. You will let me see him.”

He hesitated a moment longer, but then nodded, standing up from his desk. I followed him down the hallway to a cell where Daniel lay on a dirty wooden bench.

“Daniel?” I called through the bars.

His ears twitched at the sound and his head turned.

“Emily?” He asked, his face betraying his wonder of why I was there.

“Tell me they're wrong. Tell me you're not a spy for Dylon. Tell me that what we were building was real.”

Tears started falling and my voice broke at the end despite myself.

“Is that why I'm here? Because of Dylon?”

I stopped. *Wait. Did he just admit he was working for Dylon? No. That couldn't be it.*

“You're– you–” I couldn't get the question out. Why couldn't he just deny it?

Seeing my confusion, he stumbled over his words. “No, of course not. I'm not working for that bastard. He nearly beat me to death! How could you think I would be a spy for him after all I've said? After all I've done for forgiveness?” I could see a hint of betrayal on his face.

“I didn't. That's why I ran all the way here.”

“Then why am I here?”

“It wasn't up to me. Eric just barely told me. But I'm going to get to the bottom of this.”

“Be careful. Obviously someone close to you and Eric has turned against you. And that makes them dangerous. If it's not me, who does that leave?”

“Just Tyler, Lily, and Raina. But Eric has complete faith in each of them. Tyler is his best friend, and he's been nothing but kind to me. And Lily, Raina, and I have become quite close. They might have started out as just my bodyguards, but I trust both with my life.”

“Keep your friends close and you're enemies closer…” Daniel trailed off.

It couldn't be someone I trusted, could it?