Page 59 of Indecent Villain

"I am trusting you with everything I hold dear."

"I gave my word, Beckett."

Tiberius backs to the opposite corner and leans against the wall as he watches us closely. The atmosphere is thick with unspoken words and hidden intentions, making me wonder what secrets are lurking beneath the surface of this awkward situation.

Without speaking, Cannon types on his phone and then holds it out to me so I can see the words.

Has Rossi given you anything?

My brows pinch together as I slowly nod and point to the swan brooch.

Cannon curses and types something else.

Remove it. Bugged.

My eyes widen in surprise. I wave Tiberius over with a finger over my lips. I pass him the brooch and nod toward Cannon to show him what he typed.

Tiberius’s jaw clenches tight. He picks up a glass jar from the table and removes the lid. The brooch ends up inside with the lid on tight.

“You’re free to talk,” Tiberius says.

“I know you hate me, Beckett, but don’t let that cloud your judgement.”

“What judgement would that be?”

“The one where you accuse me of killing Jude. The one where you accuse me of trying to kill Kinsley and you. Open your eyes, Beckett.”

I squeeze Tiberius’s hand, and he squeezes mine back before he returns to his position to stand guard.

“Stubborn,” Cannon mutters. "Kinsley," he says quietly, drawing my attention from Tiberius. "Do you feel safe in this house with Beckett?"

That is not what I expected him to ask.

I nod and smile. "Yes." He glances at my neck, and it takes everything in me not to reach for it. "Tiberius didn't do that."

His jaw goes taut. "The man who attacked you”—he pauses—“did that, didn't he?" He runs a hand through his hair, and I let him think it was his fault. “He was supposed to watch and report back. I killed him for touching you."

Startled, I blink back my surprise at his confession.

"I know Beckett has told you about me. Some of it will be true, some not."

"Did you kill my parents?"

His eyes flare with an emotion I don't understand because it looks like grief. How can that be if he took their lives?

Cannon leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. I find myself doing the same. He whispers, "No. I would never hurt Anna." His voice catches on my mother's name, and pure grief swims across his face. "My father was killed two days before Jude and Anna. I had nothing to do with either, although it has been made to look as though I am behind it all. I am not the monster Beckett has told you I am."

"I-I think I believe you." I don't think anyone could fake the kind of grief I see on his face. "If it wasn't you, and someone is trying to make it look like it was, who would do that?"

"I have my suspicions,” he says, and I sit back, startled. "It’s not Beckett. Jude was his brother. It’s someone who does not have a family connection to either of us but has a stake in this game that seems to be playing." He holds my gaze.

Is he suggesting I know this person? I don't know anyone in the world that Tiberius and Cannon spend their lives in. Then it clicks. My eyes widen.

"Rossi," I hiss. "Are you sure?"

“Yes.”

This man sitting across from me is my brother. I prepared for this evening thinking every guest was an enemy to the Elliott and Beckett names. Now, I’m not so sure. I desperately want to believe him.

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