Theo glanced in the rearview mirror. “I’m your half brother. I think I merit some trust.”
“Well, so is Jeremiah, but he’s a sociopath,” Chloe said. “How sure are we you’re not?”
Theo ignored the question and continued driving. It was a wintry day in Montauk. A desolate landscape of skeleton trees and melting snow.
“I guess that makes us idiots,” I muttered. “If you hadn’t gotten into the car, I probably would have thought better when Sato tried to stop me.”
Theo emitted a short laugh I didn’t think he was capable of.
“You’re blaming me now?” Chloe retorted. “So, brother dearest,” she addressed Theo. “Don’t tell me you never suspected Jeremiah of his activities.”
“He had violent tendencies, which were controlled by medication. Unfortunately, he’s also an expert in manipulation, and serial killers hide their activities from close family the best.”
“Or family refuses to see them as a monster and makes excuses for them,” I pointed out.
“I’m not making excuses,” Theo snapped. “In case it escaped your file on me, I run a multibillion-dollar corporation.”
“Empire, you can say it.”
All three of us lapsed into stewing silence, vexed at each other for different reasons. I checked my messages again.
Dom
Trevor got a lock on King’s property. We’re choppering in. Please don’t do anything stupid.
Trevor
Oh, you’re in so much trouble.
Shit.
Kirill
Flying to you now. Stay alive.
Who will complete the puzzle with me, Luchik?
He started calling me Luchik when he was feeling affectionate. I loved it because it was a cute play on my name and meant “ray of light” in Russian.
I’m so pissed at you right now, but I’m also out of my mind with worry, Lusenka.
Oh, Kirill. A tear dropped onto the phone screen.
And if it’s not too much bother, please rescue my sister.
Just…
Bubbles for a long time and then…
Come home.
I sniffed.
“Too late for regrets.” Theo broke into my roller-coaster thoughts of defying Kirill and wishing I hadn’t embarked on this harebrained idea. I could blame my brain injury.
Before I was released from the hospital, my therapist warned us that impulsiveness and erratic behavior were side effects. Kirill and I made a joke about it then, but I had a feeling my husband wished he had taken it more seriously.
“Oh my God, who is that on the roof?” Chloe exclaimed. “Is that Aralina?”
