Page 159 of Thorns of Malice

He sneers at me. "You can't kick Avery out."

"I can, and I did. Now, get out before you're next," I repeat.

"Where is she going to live? You can't just kick her out," Cooper protests again.

I step closer to him and jab his chest. "I can, and it's done. Now, get out before my fist connects with your pretty face," I threaten.

He doesn't move. He's as tall as me, and we stare at each other eye to eye.

He snarls, "I can't believe you chose that girl over your own blood."

Rage fills me. "I chose that girl?"

"Yeah, you chose that girl. And you know what? She's a fucking idiot."

"Don't you dare call Ivy an idiot."

"She is. I gave her a chance to escape you, and she was dumb enough to come running back," he hurls.

I freeze.

He stares at me, breathing hard, his fists curled at his side.

"What do you mean you gave her a chance to escape me?" I demand.

His eyes widen and the color drains from his face.

I grab his shirt. I grit between my teeth, "What the fuck do you mean, Cooper?"

"Just what I said," he answers, scowling deeper.

And then it hits me. My stomach churns, and rage fills me to the point I think I might kill my brother. "You were the one who leaked the video, weren't you?"

27

Ivy

Ashiver runs down my spine as I halt in the doorway.

I couldn't have heard that right.

"Admit it," Dax seethes.

Cooper's eyes narrow. He pushes at Dax, roaring, "Get off me!"

Dax doesn't release him. "What did you do, Cooper?"

He pushes Dax again. "Let me go!"

Dax releases him. He demands, "I want to know right now what you did, Cooper."

Cooper shakes his head, pointing at Dax. "You've always thought you were better than me. Any chance you got, you threw it in my face that Grandpa put you in charge of the company."

Dax snarls, "So you destroyed Ivy's life?"

Cooper scoffs. "It was all going to eventually come out. And I only did what you would have done yourself."

"No, Cooper. I wasn't going to show anyone footage of Ivy. I loved her!"

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