"I have." William doesn't look away from Reilan. "He fed Viktor intelligence. He got Dillon shot. He's been selling us out from the beginning." His finger moves to the trigger. "This is what happens to traitors."
I'm fighting Matty's grip, clawing at his hand. "Let go of me. Let go—"
Aidan moves toward me, too, reaching for my other arm. "Aoife, you don't want to see this."
"No. No, you can't—"
I tear free. My nails rake across Matty's skin, and he hisses, but I'm already running, shoving past Aidan, my feet carrying me across the room.
I throw myself between William and my brother.
The gun is inches from my face.
"Move." William's eyes are black. Empty. I've never seen him look like this. Not even when he shot Frank.
"No."
"Aoife." He says my name like a warning. Like a threat. "Move. Now."
"Then you'll have to shoot me first."
The room goes still.
I can hear my own heartbeat. Can feel Reilan's ragged breathing behind me. Can see the tension in William's arm, the way his finger rests against the trigger.
He could do it. Push me aside and put a bullet in my brother's head before I hit the ground. I've seen how fast he moves. I know what he's capable of.
"He's all I have." My voice breaks. "My mother is dead. My father was just shot. Reilan is all I have left."
"He tried to have me killed."
"I know."
"He's the reason your father is in that hospital bed."
"I know." The tears spill over. I don't wipe them away. "I know what he did. I know he deserves this. But I am begging you, William. I am begging you not to make me watch my brother die."
William's jaw works. The gun doesn't move.
"Then close your eyes." His voice is calm. Terrifyingly calm. "That way you won't have to watch him die."
Something inside me snaps.
"Don't be so fucking cold!" I'm screaming now. I've never screamed like this in my life. "He's my brother! He's my blood!"
William doesn't flinch. Doesn't react at all. Just stands there with the gun steady and his face empty.
I spin toward Aidan. "Do something! You can't just stand there!"
Aidan's face is tight. He doesn't move.
I turn to Matty. "Please. This can't be right. This can't be how it ends."
Matty looks away.
"He tried to have me killed, love." William's voice cuts through my panic. Still calm. Still empty. "What do you expect me to do? Pat him on the head and send him on his way?"
"I expect you to be human!" The tears are streaming down my face. "I expect you to show mercy!"
