"You said it was urgent." I don't move closer, keeping Peyton slightly behind me. Family or not, I don't trust anyone in Wintervale. "Make it quick."
"Can we talk? Alone?"
Peyton's hand finds mine immediately, chin lifted. She's not letting me out of her sight. Nico notices and gives me a judgmental look.
"No," I tell him plainly. "Say whatever it is you came here to say."
Nico studies her with something that might be equal parts shock and respect. Then he turns back to me. "Silas is planning something for tonight. Something big."
“Not really surprised.”
"No, you don't understand." Nico runs a hand through his hair, agitated. "He's not just trying to control Peyton's proxy votes. He's planning to eliminate the entire Kingsley board. Edmund, his heirs, everyone. One move that wipes the slate clean."
Ice slides through my veins. "How?"
"I don't know all the details. He keeps me compartmentalized, only tells me what I need to know." Nico's jaw tightens. "But I heard him on the phone with Domenic. Something about 'removing obstacles permanently' and 'the Gala provides perfect cover.'"
"Wait." Peyton steps forward. "You think he's going to murder them? Tonight? At the Christmas Gala in front of hundreds of witnesses?"
"I think he's going to make it look like something else. An accident. A tragedy. The kind that gets investigated and closed quickly because the right people are motivated to move on." Nico looks at me. "Blake, I know we're not on the best of terms. I know things between us are complicated. But I can't be part of mass murder. That's not what I signed up for."
"What did you sign up for?" I ask. "Nobody forced you into this life."
"No, I asked to be included. I wanted to be part of the family business like you and Talia. Make money, wield power, put some respect on the Delano name." He touches his bruised jaw, winces. "But I didn't sign up to wipe out an entire generation of people just because it's an advantageous business strategy."
"Who worked your face over?"
"You know who."
Fucking Silas.
"Why tell me? Why not go to the police, the FBI, anyone with actual authority to stop it?"
"Because half the cops are on Silas's payroll and the other half won't believe me without proof. And because—" He stops, something vulnerable crossing his face. "Because you're the only one in this family who ever gave a damn about doing the right thing even when it cost you everything."
"What do you want from me, Nico?"
"Help me stop him. Just be there tonight and watch for the threat. Stop it when it happens." Nico steps closer. "Silas thinks you're compromised, that you'll be too focused on protecting Peyton to notice what's happening in the wings. Prove him wrong. Save them, tell them who you saved them from, and they will do the rest. They’ll cut Silas at the knees out of gratitude.”
"This is a trap," Peyton says flatly. "Silas sent you here to lure Blake exactly where he wants him."
Nico's eyes flash. "I'm trying to prevent a fucking massacre?—"
"By conveniently telling Blake to show up at the exact location where Silas is planning this violence?" Peyton's voice is cold, certain. "You're either incredibly naive, or you're playing us."
"I'm trying to do the right thing for once in my fucking life," Nico snaps.
Peyton and Nico stare at each other, two people who understand power and manipulation, neither willing to back down.
I should intervene, but instead I watch the exchange quietly, because Peyton's right to be suspicious. Nico needs to prove himself if he expects us to trust him.
"You want proof?" Nico reaches into his jacket.
My hand moves to my gun automatically.
He freezes. "Easy. Just getting my phone."
"Slowly."
