Levi’s face flushes red, but he holds Roman’s gaze. Doesn’t look away. Doesn’t apologize for existing.
Then Roman’s attention lands on Kade, and something shifts in his expression. Something cruel. “And you.”
Kade straightens in his chair. “What about me?”
“You’re the worst of them all.”
I watch Kade’s face carefully. See the way he goes absolutely still. The way hope and dread war in his expression. He’s always wanted Roman’s approval more than any of us. Always pushed harder, worked longer, and been more ruthless in his attempt to earn a place at the table.
Now, Roman’s about to destroy him.
“You spend your whole life trying to be worthy,” Roman continues, his voice thick with alcohol and contempt. “Trying to prove yourself. Trying to earn what your brothers got by birth. And no matter how hard you try, it’ll never happen.”
“I’ve done everything you asked,” Kade says, and there’s a rawness in his voice that makes my chest ache. “Everything.”
“You have, but that doesn’t matter, because at the end of the day, you’re not a real Bishop.”
The words hit like a sucker punch to the gut.
Kade goes pale. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, did I forget to mention that?” Roman laughs, the sound vicious. “You’re my son, Kade. Biologically speaking, but your mother…” He takes another drink. “Your mother was Emma Porter.”
The room tilts. I feel it in my bones, in my blood. Feel the revelation explode through the space like a grenade, sending shrapnel in every direction. Sawyer makes a sound, something between a gasp and a curse. Levi’s mouth falls open. Saint’s hand tightens on mine, her nails digging into my palm.
And Kade. Kade just stares at Roman like he’s been shot. Like the bullet is still lodged in his chest and he’s waiting to see if he’ll bleed out.
“Emma Porter,” Kade repeats, his voice hollow. “Allie’s mother.”
“That’s right. Twenty-six years ago, she made the mistake of catching my attention. We had an affair. She got pregnant. Tried to leave town with you in her belly, but I convinced her that wouldn’t be wise.” Roman’s smile is cold. Satisfied. “So after she had you, I took you. Raised you as a Bishop because I could. It was the ultimate fuck-you to the Porter family. Taking their heir and making him my weapon.”
“You took me.” Kade’s words come out flat. Dead. “You took me from my mother.”
“I saved you from a life of mediocrity. The Porters are nothing. Weak. Soft. I gave you strength. Purpose. A legacy.”
“A legacy.” Kade laughs, and the sound is broken. Jagged. “You raised me to destroy my own family. To hate my own blood. And you think that’s agift?”
“I’m calling it justice. Emma Porter thought she could refuse me. Thought she could take what was mine and run. I showed her what happens when people try to leave this family. When they think they can defy me.”
Roman finishes his drink and pours another. The whiskey is affecting him more now, loosening his tongue, stripping away the calculated control he usually maintains. “You want to know the best part? I told her if she ever tried to see you, if she ever tried to contact you or claim you as hers, I’d kill you myself. She spent twenty-six years living ten miles away from her own son, watching him grow up, and never said a word.”
“Stop,” Elena snaps from the end of the table.
It’s the first time she’s spoken all night. The first time I’ve heard her voice do anything but whisper in years. We all turn tolook at her. She’s sitting rigid in her chair, hands folded in her lap, her face the color of snow. But her eyes are full of something I rarely see there. Anger.
“Stop talking,” she says again, her voice stronger now. “You’ve said enough.”
Roman turns to her, eyebrows raised. “You have something to add, dear?”
“Emma Porter is a good woman. A kind woman. You destroyed her life because she dared to say no to you, because she had the strength to resist you when I didn’t.” Elena’s hands tremble, but she keeps her gaze locked on Roman. “You’ve tortured her for twenty-six years, letting her see her son but never hold him. Never tell him the truth. That’s evil, Roman. Even for you.”
“Watch yourself.”
“Or what? You’ll hit me again?” Elena stands, her chair scraping back. “You’ll lock me in a room? Threaten me with violence? I’ve lived with your violence for thirty years. There’s nothing you can do to me now that you haven’t already done.”
Roman’s face darkens. “Sit down.”
“No.” Elena looks at Kade, and there are tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I should have told you years ago. Should have found a way to let you know the truth, but I couldn’t. I was afraid. Afraid of what he’d do. Afraid of?—”
