“Christian’s real body is in a morgue under the Fed’s jurisdiction,” Aster’s words confirm what I'm seeing and my thoughts reel—his words bounce around in my mind.
Christian’s real body.
Hisrealbody.
I think I hear the sound of the elevator again, but I can’t tell.
Everything’s spinning.
“I'm not a fed—”
“We don't know who the fuck you are,” Aster cuts Christian off with a deathly glare.
When I look back, Christian looks desperate for the first time. He lookssorry.
And he’s not looking at Aster.
He’s looking at me.
His eyes are bright.
“I can explain it to you.”
“None of your explanations are going to stop me from killing you,” Aster promises darkly.
“I will.” One look at Christian’s emotions helps me to finally find my voice again. “So shut up and stop jumping to conclusions.”
“Reuben, he can't be trusted—”
“Where did you get these?” My eyes narrow with new suspicion. “Who gave them to you?”
Aster’s lips purse. “The attack on Kai was a decoy. Whoever it was, tried to stall us so they could steal Father’s insignia.”
Shit.
That's why they chose today.
To distract the family branches while they stole inside the mansion.
“We found these next to where it was missing,” Aster explains. “Whoever it is, wants to meet with us, and gave us that envelope as a peace offering.”
“Apeace offering?” I snap. “‘I know I stole your insignia and nearly killed your kid, but here’s the rat who’s been hiding under your nose. I come in peace.’You’refuckingjoking.”
Aster suddenly doesn’t have anything to say, and I didn't think my irritation could rise any further, because I’m releasing a stream of Spanish obscenities.
“So instead of going after him,” I finally find my English, huffing, “you thought to come here and go after the man who saved Kai instead?”
“... You're my brother. If I think you're in danger I have to protect you.”
“You're not protecting me.” My scowl deepens. “You're pointing a gun at my person.”
We’re both locked in a stalemate, each of us glaring at the other, until Christian's voice cuts through the tension in the room.
“Everett killed Christian that night. Alongside the other members of the Adler Squad.”
How the fuck are you still alive?I rememberEverett’s words from that night.
And I remember Christian’s response.
