Page 120 of Tempting God

He pulls out some photos, passing them around.

Brooks exhales. “My god.”

“That’s what I said, too.” He shakes his head when Alessandro tries to hand the photos back. “No. I don’t want them in my possession. It’s too damning.”

He’s not wrong…

He continues, “I have a feeling we’ll be reaching out to Santos, and soon.”

Since everything that happened with Walt Ryans, Charles has been more…open with his dealings. Greer thinks it’s because he knows he has no choice but to trust the Elite Members. At this point, he’s outnumbered, and he knows it.

Alessandro says, “You’re likely right.”

Charles puts the letter away and says, “It’s unnerving that we still have no leads on who this masked person is. I fear it may be someone within the Brotherhood.”

“What makes you think that?” I ask.

“The knowledge that this person has is too…personal. If Zhang wasn’t already dead, I’d bet my life that he was the one behind it.”

Alessandro rubs his beard. “We’ve focused our search outside of the Brotherhood. Are you saying you want me to look at members?”

We all turn to Charles, who nods.

“Yes.”

Alessandro dips his head. “This will change everything. More secrets may come out.”

Charles lets out a bitter laugh. “At this point, that may not be a bad thing. As my cousin and her annoying husband like to remind me, change is happening.”

I smile. “It’s the slogan that won me the White House.”

“Indeed.”

Brooks says, “I’ll hold off on recruiting for a bit and help Ace with his search.”

“Sounds like we have a plan.” There’s nothing else we can do for now, so I say, “Now, let’s get back to our wives and children.”

Brooks and Alessandro leave, but Charles stays behind.

“A word, Grant?”

“Of course.”

Brooks gives me a long look before closing the door behind him.

Charles says, “I’m worried that someone is coming after me.”

“Not to be a dick, but it’s pretty obvious someone is out to get you.”

I mean, this all started because the Elite Members weren’t behaving like they should. It would stand to reason that Charles is still on the list of the killer.

His face pales. “I’m worried how Aimée and the girls will carry on when I’m gone.”

“You’re a smart man, Blanc. I’m sure you know what to do to make sure they’re taken care of.”

“I do. Which is why I’m here.” He hands me an envelope. “If anything ever happens to me, open this. Understand?”

I eye the envelope. “What’s in here?”

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