His throat bobs. “Nineteen. First semester. He called me home, poured me a drink, and told me the family legacy wasn’t private security. That we were the Syndicate. Always had been.”
“And Evie?”
“I didn’t know it was him.” His voice fractures. “Not until a few months ago, when my dad told me I was to inherit his seat in the spring. We knew the Syndicate was always to blame for Evie’s death, and it wasn’t hard to figure out he was probably the one who called that shot.”
Jasper signs,“So you’ve known for months?”
“Yes.”
“And you buried it.”
“Yes.”
“Explain the logic, Dredyn. Convince me why you thought playing God was the move,” I say.
He looks straight at Jasper. “Because I know you. The second you had his name, you would’ve gone nuclear. All you needed was a name. You would’ve died for her justice, and you would’ve taken everyone you love down with you. I couldn’t—I couldn’t bury you too.”
Jasper signs,“You stole my choice.”
“I stole yourgrave. And I’d do it again,” Dredyn fires back.
I don’t give Jasper time to speak. “Blind revenge would’ve gotten you a bullet and a shallow grave.”
Jasper glares at me.
“What would Evie want, Jasper? Your corpse as a trophy? Or you, alive—here, with us—ready to make them beg when it actually matters?”
No response.
“She’d want you breathing. She’d want you vicious, not dead.”
I straighten, looking between my two broken kings. “James Steele is laughing somewhere right now, thinking he’s already won, that he’s turned his son against his brothers. That he’s isolated all of us. Don’t give the bastard the satisfaction.”
Talon’s voice cuts from the doorway. “He’s taken enough. Don’t hand him what’s left.”
Dredyn bows his head, shoulders shaking. “I’d lie a thousand times over if it kept you breathing, but I’m done choosing for you. The evidence is yours. The war is yours. Lead or burn me … I’ll follow.”
Jasper stares at him for an eternity, then signs,“We end this. Together.”
Dredyn nods.
“Together, we bury your father. Then... then I decide if you can ever earn my trust back.”
“I’m sorry. I know it’s worthless, but I am,” Dredyn says.
Jasper then stands.“Lie to me again, and I’ll end you myself.”
“I’d kill myself before I ever lie to any of you.” Dredyn breathes.
I push back from the table and look at Talon. I turn to Dredyn first. “Get up.”
He lifts his head slowly.
“We have one little bonding thing we can do tonight.”
Talon grins and steps closer, clapping Dredyn on the shoulder.
“Everything’s already prepared downstairs. This is one problem we can take care of right now. Together,” I say.
