Ro breaks down, clutching his head in his hands and sobbing. I elbow Kaiden out of the way and squeeze in beside my brother, wrapping my arms around him as he cries. Truth is, I’m confused. One part of me knows this is exactly what my dad would do if he thought his life was in danger. I know he’d try to warn me. But I can’t fathom how Dad would end up in such a situation in the first place. Dad was the original good guy, and there’s no way he was messed up in any elite shit. This bunch of crazies wants us to believe Dad embezzled millions from Techxet because Mathers and Hamilton were blackmailing him, and I’m not buying it.
This smacks of a conspiracy theory. They are twisting it to their advantage to try to alienate us from our only ally. I bet they want to use us to get back at Hamilton and that’s the only reason they’ve shown up.
That makes sense, not this other bullshit attempt to tarnish our father’s good name and try to manipulate us for their gain.
“It’s gonna be okay,” I tell Ro as my mind loops through our options.
“It’s not,” he cries. “Everyone has been lying to us, and I can’t do this again, Zayn. I just can’t.”
“We’re here for you,” Maverick says, and I want to punch him in the face next. He’s been tiptoeing around Roman andirritating the fuck out of me with his fake concern and his deliberate soft voice.
“Reserve your bedside manner for your patients, Dr. Anderson,” I growl. “You are getting on my very last nerve.”
“If there was ever any doubt he’s an Anderson,” Lauder says, “there isn’t now.”
“Shut. Up,” a crowd of voices chimes.
“Someone was keeping tabs,” Daniels pipes up. He’s been pretty quiet. Listening and tapping away on his phone and his laptop. I’ve got wild respect for the guy. He’s a freaking genius, but he still didn’t crack my code, so maybe I’m giving him too much credit.
“Knowing your enemy is survival one-oh-one. Of course, I was watching. I have files on all of you.”
“Honestly, I don’t know why you’re resisting.” Drew Manning eyes me like he wishes he could dissect me and extract all my secrets. “You’ll fit right in. You could probably teach some of the elite a thing or two.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Manning. I’m not buying the bullshit any of you are peddling.”
“Make a call on this, Anderson,” Barron says, glancing at the flashy Rolex strapped to his wrist. “I need to get home to Demi.”
“You’re all fucking pathetic,” I sneer, smoothing a hand up and down Ro’s back. He’s finally stopped crying, and now he’s just staring into space looking broken all over again. “Pussywhipped and pathetic.”
Lauder chuckles. “Famous last words, little Anderson.”
“Fuck. You.” I whip my head around and shoot daggers at him. “I’m a Becker. I’ve never been, nor will I ever be, an Anderson. And speaking of the selfish bastard, where is Atticus?”
“Pity; thought you might have had a file on him too.” Kaiden folds his arms across his chest. Dried blood clings to his upper lip, and his right nostril is swollen.
A surge of pride swells my chest. “I know the rat bastard is hiding overseas and there’s an international warrant for his arrest.” My lips curve into a grin. “Like I know he almost got caught last year when he reached out to Olivia Manning. Bet he never thought the love of his life would turn him in. That must have hurt but not as much as his cold shoulder must have hurt you.” I drill a look at Kaiden.
“You couldn’t be more wrong.” Maverick’s fists clench into balls. “We lived with the bastard. Neglect is his middle name. We’re glad to be rid of him.”
“But he’s a loose end we need to tie up. He’d never attempt to contact us because he knows we hate his fucking guts and we wouldn’t hesitate to hand him to the authorities.” Rage contorts Kaiden’s face, and he looks like evil personified. “Like he knows we’re actively trying to find him to bring him to justice.”
“Not if I find him first.”
Manning leans forward, his eyes sparking with dark interest. “You have different plans for Atticus?”
“He doesn’t deserve to live. Not after the things he’s done.” I clutch my brother tighter, fighting hideous memories. As much as I hate my older brothers, they didn’t organize the adoption. That was all Atticus, and he’s got to pay.
“You don’t even know the half of it.” Kaiden’s voice is eerily calm, but there’s a scary undertone to it.
“So tell me.” I slant him a challenging look.
He glances at Ro and subtly shakes his head. “All in good time. I think there have been enough revelations for today.”
“Choose, Zayn,” Manning says, rising from his seat. “Though I think it’s a no-brainer. You already think and act like us.”
“I’m nothing like you. I don’t abandon the ones I love.”
“We don’t either.” Kaiden stands beside his brother-in-law. “Which is why there is no choice.” His eyes lower to an exhausted Roman, and I feel how he looks. It’s been a draining day. “You’re a protector, and you’re smart enough to know there is safety in numbers even if you don’t trust us.”
