“Let’s say I do turn myself into my father,” Bryson continued. “What guarantee do I have that he won’t kill me?”
Sophia snuffed the cigarette out on the tile and moved to stand up. Her white silk robe billowed in the breeze as she moved to the balcony’s edge. Bryson moved to stand alongside her.
“I have information on Sean Cahill. Xander has a personal vendetta against him and wants to use the information to get him out.”
Sophia turned, her hazel eyes assessing him. Bryson noted that while Adria shared her father’s name, it was her mother she took after in looks.
The two of them had similar mannerisms, bone structure, jaw line.
There was a reason Adria was a force to be reckoned with. And part of that reason was standing in front of him right now. For better or for worse, Sophia had shaped who Adria had come to be. And while Bryson wished her life didn’t have to be as hard as it was, he couldn’t imagine a world without Adria, and everything she was built of, in it.
“Xander will do what I think is best. And I think the information on Cahill could be used for better means,” Sophia said, putting another cigarette to her lips. “With my leverage, I’ll ensure he stands in the way of your execution. The Triune needs three.”
That was the one piece Bryson was genuinely curious about.
Bryson grabbed her lighter off the chair and offered her a light. “What is Xander’s role in all this?”
She was quiet for a long time, and Bryson wondered if he had pushed her too far. Played her game for too long.
“Xander wouldn’t have any of this without me. He plays whatever role I need him to. Has for a very long time.”
“And what is in it for you?” Bryson asked.
She feigned hurt. “I’ll be seeing my only daughter ascend to the Triune.”
“Come on,” Bryson said, conspiratorially. “You’re helping me get a seat. Just give me a taste.”
A light flickered behind her eyes.
“What’s good for the goose,” she said, exhaling smoke.
CHAPTER 60
CURITIBA PARANÁ
Adria and Eric navigated the winding highway. The boys had stayed behind to rest, which was probably for the best given her uncertainty about the upcoming meeting.
“After we pick up Cole, I need to swing by the local church,” she said.
Eric’s eyes remained fixed on the road ahead. Minutes passed before he broke the silence.
“Bryson okay with this plan?”
“He says he is, but I’m not sure he understands the implications.”
“He understands,” Eric replied without hesitation.
Adria turned to face him. “How can you be so sure?”
Eric shook his head with a soft laugh. “You really don’t see it, do you?”
She rolled down her window, letting the hot jungle air rush in. “See what?”
“How completely gone that kid is for you. All of them, actually.”
“We’re figuring things out,” she said, looking at him. “After everything they’ve been through, we’re taking it slow.”
Eric glanced over, his expression suddenly serious. “Slow? Adria, they’re in love with you. Haven’t they told you?”
