Sophia leaned back. “She deserves a family. A life. She can’t have that with you three. You sealed that fate the instant you put a bullet in Jonathan’s head.”
Mothers, Bryson didn’t know shit about. But this.
This was a game Bryson could play.
“And you think you deserve a say in what happens in her life, after leaving her?”
Sophia turned, her cold eyes pinning him in place. “Me leaving was good for her.”
“Not from where I’m sitting.”
She turned, looking out over the moonlit hillside once again. “You’re young. You don’t even know what you’re looking at.”
“I know I love her more than you.” He hadn’t meant to tell her that. But seeing her here. Surveying her kingdom. Bryson needed her to know.
Needed her to see what an amazing person she had left behind. And that Adria wasn’t better because of her. That she was stronger and more powerful despite her.
Sophia laughed. “Only a fool would bring love into this. Love doesn’t save her.”
“What does?” Bryson asked, already knowing the answer.
If Sophia was a serious player, then there was only one goal she cared about.
“Talk to your father, confess. He’ll protect you.”
Liar.
“And if he does?”
“Then we go forward with our plan,” Sophia said. “Get Callen and Alessandro out and Adria and you step in.”
The moonlight caused shadows to dance across her face. “Then you will be equals and you will be able to truly put her first.”
That’s what Sophia thought he wanted.
Power.
She was just like his father. Sophia and his father would never understand that power wasn’t an end goal for everyone.
How could they? When they spent their entire lives reaching for it.
Bryson walked over and took her cigarette, taking a long drag. “You know I finally placed that symbol that is on your green antique.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
If power was her end game, Bryson could use that against her.
“I didn’t tell Adria,” he said, taking another drag and offering it back to her.
She took it. “And why not? You two are so close.”
Because I didn’t want to hurt her.
Because I’m a coward.
“I’m waiting, in case it becomes useful,” he said.
She nodded.
