“Walter Salinger’s plan to kill me, Stewart, and Manford so he can gain control of the board and The Luminaries.”
Walter barks out a laugh. “You were always delusional. You can’t prove that.”
“It appears he can.” Stewart lifts his head, leveling a dark look across the table. Jase’s dad looks over at the guards. “Seize him.”
“You can’t do that!” Salinger roars, jumping up in his seat and swinging at the guards as they reach for him.
Around the room, every guard raises their weapon and points it at Salinger.
“I would advise you to cooperate,” Carter says in a calm tone.
“Or what? You’ll shoot me?!” Walter flaps his hands in the air, and he really is an idiot. It is clear there is no way Walter would’ve been able to usurp his older brother—Ares’s dad, Clinton—without Carter’s help. Carter was the brains behind the operation. My guess is Carter did that already knowing this moment would come in the future.
“You have committed grievous treachery,” Stewart says, also standing. “The evidence is irrefutable.” He slaps the report down on the table.
“It’s not the first time.” Carter distributes a second report with obviously doctored evidence confirming Walter Salinger murdered his brother, in broad daylight, in front of his young son, and planted evidence on a zealot religious group.
“I knew you would turn on me!” Walter shouts, wrestling with the men as they grab his hands behind his back. “It was his idea!” Walter’s desperate gaze lands on Eric Stewart before swinging to Ares. “It was Carter’s plan to kill your father and put me in his place. He was the one who came to me with it, not the other way around.”
“No one believes your lies,” Eric Stewart says.
I want to hold up my hand and say, “Eh, yeah, we believe him.”
But, obvs, I don’t.
This must play out the way it needs to. I hope Jase’s dad is executing a cunning plan and not believing the bullshit Carter is peddling. The smug look of delight on Carter’s face tells mehe’sbuying it, and that’s all that matters.
“Take him downstairs too.” Stewart commands the guards. “I want two men standing guard outside Manford’s and Salinger’s rooms,” he says, sweeping his gaze around the room. “And no one speaks of this to anyone. Ever. Even after the official communication has been released.”
Heads bob around the room.
Walter roars and shouts and wrestles with the guards as they drag him from the room. The silence after he is gone is golden.
“You knew about me.” Ares directs his question to Jase’s dad.
Eric sits, opening another bottle of water for himself, looking like he wishes it was something stronger.
I can relate.
I feel like I need vodka, chocolate, and popcorn for this meeting.
“I had my suspicions. You look too much like your late father for it to be a coincidence, but it wasn’t until yesterday that I knew for sure when Rhett confirmed it.”
Ares props his elbows on the table and looks down the table at Carter. “What about Toby, the rest of Walter’s family, and the extended family?”
“Walter’s family is being picked up right now and anyone in the extended family who may oppose your right to rule or present a threat. They will be incarcerated here until we decide what to do with them. You do not need to worry. I have it covered.” Carter walks over to Bree and Ares. “It is time.”
“What, now?” Bree sighs.
“I’m sorry I can’t give you a lovely wedding like your friend.” Sarcasm underscores Carter’s words as he flicks his gaze to me. “But you need to be married now. After, Ares will be initiated and anointed as the Pride & Wrath Luminary.” He shrugs as he straightens up. “You can always plan a big wedding for the new year.” Carter said previously Ares would have to be initiated first, before getting married, but it doesn’t surprise me he’s switching up the rules. It seems to be his M.O.
Bree looks across at me, and I nod.
We all knew this was coming.
Not today, obviously. While this needs to happen because men can’t be anointed as Luminaries if they are unmarried, I can tell the prick is enjoying this. He considers it punishment because we outsmarted him with our wedding yesterday, and he’s not going to let it happen again.
Rhett Carter is a petty prick.
