Page 80 of The Price of Power

“Maybe not, but you can stop acting like the victim,” Theo said, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t forget, I’ve listened to the recording of your meeting, Liv. I’ve heard just how well you know the guy.”

My jaw tensed. For the first time, I seriously considered turning around and leaving the asshole here on the street to fend for himself.

But that wouldn’t help anything.

Come morning, he’d be dead, and even as livid as I was, I still wouldn’t be able to forgive Gabriel for doing it.

So, instead, I shook my head and stared my brother in the eye.

“We’re going down to the piers now, Theo. And you’re going to take the mountain of jewelry I’ve stuffed in this bag and trade it for a ride to Canada,” I told him. “After that, you’re going to disappear. Forever. Because if I ever see you or even hear whispers about you coming back to this city again, not only will I refuse to help you—I’ll kill you myself.”

Before he could reply, I started walking again. The rest of the way down to the piers I refused to even to turn around and see if he was following me.

He was, of course. That much became apparent when we finally arrived at the pier I’d heard Tony talking about earlier in the week, and Theo stepped in front of me, looking almost repentant.

Almost.

“Here. Take this.” I slipped the bag off my shoulder and handed it over to him. “One of these captains will be willing to trade you a ride out of the city for a couple of the necklaces in there. You can pawn the rest of the jewels once you’re out of the country. Don’t go wild with the cash, though. You’re going to need it to last.”

A twinge of sadness broke through my temper, piercing my heart at the sight of the defeat and contrition in my brother’s eyes.

“So, I guess this is goodbye,” he said, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

“I guess so.”

He let out a sigh. One that didn’t sound completely performative.

“I really am sorry, Liv,” he said. “For everything.”

“I know.”

Because, in his own way, I knew that he was—at least, the closest thing to sorry that someone like him could ever be.

“I wish things could’ve been different,” he said, opening his arms and inviting me in for a hug.

And since I knew this was the last time I would ever see him again, I didn’t refuse. I stepped into his embrace, saying, “Me too.”

It was a good hug. The first real one I’d shared with my brother for a long time

For a moment, I allowed myself to stand there and soak in the feel of his arms around me, wishing that this could have been what our relationship had been like all along.

Until, after a couple a seconds, the sound of tires turning from the pavement onto the pier sounded behind me, and Theo and I were bathed in twin headlights.

I closed my eyes, somehow knowing what it meant even before I heard a car door open and a familiar voice called out, “Step away from your sister, Theo. Neither of us wants her to get caught in the middle of what happens next.”

I let out a long breath, sagging slightly in my brother’s arms.

My plan hadn’t worked.

Gabriel had caught up with us.

And now my whole life was about to come crashing down around me.

Chapter Twenty-Six

OLIVIA

Ididn’t let go of Theo.

---