“Have you considered Abram to be a psychopath, rather than a sociopath?”
“I’m not sure I understand the difference.”
“Psychopaths can’t form emotional attachments or feel real empathy with anyone. They often have very charming personalities, are very manipulative, and easily gain trust. They pretend to have emotions, yet they don’t feel them. Some are so good at manipulation that their families never suspect their true nature.”
“My God! That’s probably the best description I’ve ever heard for Abram. Ye just described him tae a tee. How do ye know all that?”
“I originally majored in psychology.” Lie.
My phone vibrates and I hear my text tone. “Finally! I can’t believe he’s just now updating me.”
This is what Sin’s willing to do for you. For his sake, I hope you’re worth it.
What does that mean? “He sent a video and a text message.” I read it to Isobel.
“Someone else sent that.” Isobel streaks to my side. “Play it.”
I touch the triangle in the center of my phone and the video begins playing. It takes a moment before I realize what I’m looking at.
It’s Sin. He’s strung up from the ceiling, hanging lifelessly. A man I’ve never seen is punching him repeatedly and he barely reacts. “What the hell are they doing to him?” She turns away. “Isobel! Why is that man hitting him? The message says he’s doing this for me. I don’t understand.”
“It’s called endurance. It’s a test one must go through tae prove his strength so he may be considered for membership if he’s not been born and raised in The Fellowship.”
This doesn’t make sense. “But Sin was born and raised in the brotherhood.”
“Yes, but ye weren’t.”
“I’m confused about what’s happening.”
“It’s only a guess but I think he may have negotiated yer induction into The Fellowship.”
“What?”
“Any person wishing to join from outside the circle must take and pass an endurance test to be accepted. I think he’s volunteered as yer substitution.”
“No! I don’t want him to do that.”
“Clearly it’s too late, judging by that video.”
The call came from Sin’s phone so I immediately dial his number, knowing he won’t be the one to answer. “I see you got my message, dear.” I assume I’m talking to the psychopath himself.
“Please stop this madness, Abram. I don’t want Sin to do this for me.”
“Because you don’t want him to suffer, or because you don’t want to be part of The Fellowship?”
Neither. “I’ll do my own endurance.”
“We’re almost finished, sweetheart. Sinclair isn’t in much shape to object but I don’t think he’d appreciate us stopping so we can start from the beginning on you.” Has this been going on for three hours?
“Wait a minute, dear,” Abram says. “He’s trying to say something. What was that, Sinclair? I couldn’t understand you … Oh, I think that was a no. He’s barely conscious so it’s hard to make out what he’s saying.” I don’t know what to do. I don’t want him to suffer for me.
“Should Thane bring Sin home with him? Or would you prefer we drop him at his flat?”
I look at Sin’s mother. “Thane is there.” I can’t believe a father would watch this happen to his son.
“Wait a minute,” Abram says. “He’s trying to say something else … the best I could make out was ‘home.’”
Yes, I’m sure he’ll be more comfortable in his own bed. “Send him to the flat. I’ll be there waiting.”
“As you wish, sweetheart.”
I’m numb when I end the call. I’m further convinced Abram is a psychopath. He sounded as though he was enjoying what was happening to Sin. “I have to go. I need to prepare everything for him. Can you call Sterling to drive me home?”
“We’ll both go,” Isobel says. “I’m not sure ye’ll be able tae handle him by yerself.”
“I should call Jamie.” From the looks of Sin on that video, he’s going to need some medical care as soon as possible.
Sin’s best friend answers on the first ring. “I’m with him, Bleu.”
My level of anger multiplies. What is wrong with these people? What kind of father and best friend sit back and watch that? “You’re with him while they’re beating the shit out of him? And you’re not doing anything to help him?”
“He chose this for a very specific reason but he needs to be the one to explain why.”
I feel absolutely horrid. “Do you have any idea how it makes me feel to know he’s suffering in my place?”
“You should be very proud. It’s an honorable thing he’s doing for you.”
These people are out of their minds. Why would I be proud or honored by his suffering? “Well, I’m not. It’s killing me to know he’s in excruciating pain and I’m the cause.”
“It speaks multitudes about his feelings for you,” Jamie says. “He basically took a beating to prove how much he loves and trusts you.”
“He could’ve just said so instead. That would’ve been a lot easier.”
“He’s going to be fine, Bleu.” Jamie laughs but I find nothing humorous. “I’ll give him something for the pain as soon as they’ve finished. You should expect him to be out of it by the time he’s home.”
The last time he was out of it, he was in such bad shape I nearly lost him. “Promise me you’ll take care of him, Jamie.”
“I swear.”
* * *
I’m looking out the front window of Sin’s flat watching for headlights when Isobel catches me off guard. “Has ma son told ye he loves ye?”
“No.”
“He doesnae have tae say the words for it tae be so.” She hesitates a moment. “It might not be something ye’ll ever hear from him.”
“I tried to tell him I love him tonight, but he stopped me when he realized what I was about to say.” I smile. “He put his finger to my mouth and told me to save it for a happier occasion.”
“He wants it tae be special when ye say it for the first time. That’s rather romantic.”
“Yeah.”