Bree lifts her head and turns to face me. “I want to change things, little brother, and the best way for me to do that is from within. I know it will take time and the kind of change I want won’t happen in my lifetime, but we have to start somewhere. I may not succeed, but I’ve got to try. I can’t ignore my destiny forever anyway. That dickface Toby is a sophomore this year, and I knew his father would start pressuring Dad to make me return. I willingly chose to return, to play their stupid game, so I’m back in the fold and in a position to do something.”
“That sounds very noble and extremely dangerous. I’m not knocking your logic, but it’s a lofty goal. How much change can one person achieve?”
She leans back against the couch. “I don’t plan to do it alone. I want to build a team of supporters who share my goals. I’ll start small. Take the wins where I can and work to convince the next generation of leaders that things can be done differently.” Hope sparks in her eyes as she sits up straighter and clutches my arm. “Imagine how much good we could do with the power in our control if we did the right thing? The collective wealth of all the Luminary families alone could resolve the poverty issue across the entire US.”
“That will never happen, sis. Can you imagine Baz, when he is Luminary, handing over a massive chunk of our wealth for a good cause? I sure as hell can’t. And you can forget about Toby Salinger. It doesn’t matter if you’re married to him. That guy is as big of an ass as his father. No amount of great sex will convince that prick to do anything he doesn’t want to do. Knight Carter is a decent guy, but Rhett Carter won’t be handing the mantle to his eighteen-year-old heir for some time, and he’s the biggest prick of all.”
“I’m not naïve, Jase. I know they won’t hand over everything. But even a fraction of money set aside for different charities and causes would go a long way. It’s not just about money though. I’m talking about changing the way things are run. To stop doing the inhuman things they do—the killing, violence, drugs, guns, spying, and manipulation. Their blatant lack of regard for climate change and environmental issues. The abuse of power. The excessive wealth and luxurious lifestyles. Human trafficking and servitude. I could go on. It makes me so fucking sick. They could do so much good with their power and influence.” Sighing, she scrubs a hand down her face.
My sister might think she’s not naïve, but that’s how she is coming across. I think it’s honorable she wants to effect change, and I love how she has found her passion in life. Her face is alive in a way I haven’t seen for a long time. Being away was good for her. But there is only so much one person can do to change a society as deeply entrenched as ours and an organization built on archaic rules and traditions that are revered and never scrutinized.
“I think you are extremely passionate, you have a good heart, and I admire you so much for what you want to do. But what you seek is the impossible.”
“I won’t know until I try,” she says.
“This could get you killed.”
She eyeballs me with steely resolve. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I can’t return to this corrupt world unless I do it my way.”
“I won’t tell you not to do it. Just be really fucking careful.”
“What about you?” She stares me in the eyes as she drains the last of her soda. “You’ll be the Sloth heir when you marry Julia. Can I count on you?”
“You can always count on me.” I move closer and sling my arm around her shoulders. “But you should know I’m planning my own rebellion, and I may need your help.”
“Ooh, now I’m intrigued.” She waggles her brows. “Tell me more.”
So, I do.
* * *
“I’m going to grab that table over by the wall before someone else does.” Bree points across the large cafeteria to a table beside a massive potted plant.
“Cool. I’ll pay for our lunch and join you in a few.” Usually, I hang out with Chad or some of the guys from the team at lunch, depending on who is around. Today, I want to eat with my sister and discuss more of our plans.
When I make my way over to our table, ten minutes later, Bree is no longer alone. A slow smile spreads across my face as I make my approach.
“Oh, here he is.” Bree looks up at me from her seat with a smile. “Jase, I’d like you to meet my friend Ash.”
“Hello, gorgeous.” I grin at her as I set the tray down on the table.
“You have got to be shitting me,” Ash mumbles, giving me the evil eye.
“Wait!” Bree’s gaze dances between us as a light bulb goes off in her head. “Holy shit! This is the girl you were telling me about.” Her eyes focus on the love of my life. “You’re Ashley Shaw.”
“I knew you looked familiar,” Ash replies. “I should have made the connection.”
Ash doesn’t know either of my sisters, and she only knows Baz by reputation. “You look beautiful, baby,” I say, claiming the vacant seat on the other side of Ash. “I’m glad you’re here. Maybe now we can have that talk.”
“Don’t fuckingbabyme, and you have nothing to say I want to hear.” Ash’s venom hasn’t faded in the least. She faces my sister. “I like you, Bree, and this isn’t personal. But I can’t eat lunch with you if your brother is staying.”
Ouch. “It’s only lunch, Temptress. It’s not like we’re making any big statement sitting beside one another in the cafeteria.”
She spins around to face me. “Don’t play dumb, Jase. It doesn’t suit you. As long as you are continuing this ridiculous charade with Julia, I want nothing to do with you. I thought I made that perfectly clear.”
“I’m working on it,” I calmly reply.
“Great,” she says, sounding like it’s anything but. She starts gathering up her stuff, getting ready to leave. “When you have it figured out, hit me up. Imightforgive you.”
