Lie To Me

31. Deep Talks

AVA STONE

"The Myers family," dad said gently, looking at me.

I didn't move an inch, I didn't express the storm of emotions that was roaring up inside of me. I only looked into my father's eyes with a cold expression, searching for any hint that this was all a joke. A really bad joke. But no, it was the full truth.

I now understood why my brother was so hesitant when it came to even look at me, the reason why my father seemed so on the edge when he just revealed this piece of information, the motives behind Dan and Mason's concerned looks that they were constantly throwing my way. Even Ryan wasn't his usual teasing and annoying self but carried a more serious demeanor. At first, I thought it was because of my father's presence, but I understood now.

They all knew my hatred for that family, how much I despised each member of that fucking family. And that was saying too little. Not that the Stone was a welcomed name on their household.

Everyone in the room was watching me like a hawk and waiting for any reaction out of me at the news of their return, for a single emotion to cross my face. There was none; my face remained a blank canvas.

"Why now?" were the first words I pronounced, leaving them hanging in the thick air of the room. "It's been two years," I added when no one said anything.

"We haven't heard anything of them ever since the war between us died down and the treaty was signed," Dan continued. "Not until now."

"Revenge," Damien spoke for the first time. All eyes moved to him. "Last time, we were the ones to claim victory, and we left them in a quite bad position. Now, they want revenge on us, even more after what we did."

"And I don't think we need to guess who's the head of all of this," Mason scoffed.

"Marcus Myers," I confirmed. "That old hag."

My father gave me a disapproving look at my choice of words, but nodded nonetheless. "Exactly." He turned to Ryan. "Try searching for more information on them: their whereabouts, their current power and position in the underworld, their army, anything."

"On it, boss," Ryan nodded and took a seat in a further corner with his laptop on his lap.

"Meanwhile, I want your attention on your surroundings 24/7. The school shooting may have been their first attack, but it surely wasn't their last. Especially you, Ava, it's clear who they're targeting first. I will upgrade your security right away," dad demanded sternly.

Great, as if we didn't have enough with the White marriage and their accusations. Now, we had to deal with the fucking Myers. I nodded at my father's demand, fighting the urge to argue with him about his decision. When it came to his kids' safety, there was no fucking around with him. I could be here complaining all day and his decision will have been made anyway.

"And what about the police? Weren't they investigating about the gunfire as well?" I wondered.

"I'll take care of that, don't worry," Dan replied to my father's silent question. The latter nodded gratefully whilst Dan fished his phone out of his pocket and typed a few words on it. "I'll speak with Rob myself," he mumbled with his gaze on his phone.

"I can speak with a few trusted people in the underworld. They might know something about the Myers or about their resurgence," Mason suggested.