Page 51 of Cold Heir

“So, just out of curiosity,” I interrupted. “What is it, exactly, that you propose we do?”

His gaze fell on me. “I propose we hand her over to the Magistrates and be done with it.”

Levi rolled his eyes and took a deep swig of wine.

“We’ve all committed to her before the entire world,” Silas reminded him.

“Yes, but what if I could assure you that I had solid, irrefutable evidence that the bond was agreed to under false pretenses? Would that make you think differently?”

The question caused me to search my heart. Was there anything he could tell me about this woman I’d taken as my mate, that would make me toss her aside? Anything that would make me think I was better off without her?

“Quit pissing all over whatbeganas a decent morning, and say what it is you need to say,” Levi sighed.

When Roman eyed him, I was certain his fuse had shortened since he first arrived.

“I have it on good authority that your belovedpet,” he spoke with hatred in his tone, “isn’t as innocent as you think she is.”

“Since when have you known me to like my women innocent?” Levi retorted.

“Yeah? Well, do you also like them at the top of the known terrorists list?”

Roman’s revelation caused a hush to fill the room.

“I’ll be the first to admit that Jon’s methods are questionable at best,” he revealed, “but one thing I can say about the man is that he’s effective. So much so, he was able to get ahold of an Ianite by the name of Spencer who completely changed the game.”

Silas peered up, turning an inquisitive stare toward Roman. “Spencer?”

Roman nodded to confirm. “An Ianite that Jon turned over to the Butcher, to get answers.”

“Answers to which questions?” I asked.

“Well, the mostimportantmystery was solved when he showed the man a picture of Corina.” A dark smile crossed Roman’s face as he met my gaze. “According to the Butcher’s captive, the woman in the photo Jon held doesn’t only answer to the name she so generously shared with us. From what this poor, unfortunate soul revealed before being silenced forever, your latest houseguest is none other than the infamous Blackbird.”

That silence returned to the room, and it was so incredibly stifling now. All at once, the bits and pieces that had been revealed over the last several weeks came flooding back to me. Two sides of me warred within.

One insisted that what Roman just shared wasn’t a revelation at all, only confirmation of what I’d been telling myself couldn’t possibly be true. I couldn’t have fallen for a woman who only ever meant to bring the Dynasty to its knees.

The second pressed me to accept what this truly meant. That things weren’t so black and white anymore, now that we’d been brought into the very heart of Corina’s operation, and had even begun tosympathizewith them.

That word Roman hurled not too long ago, hit me again.

Traitor.

“So, you expect us to believe a confession drawn out of a man who youadmitwas under duress from being tortured? Maimed?” Levi argued. Only, he didn’t bother letting Roman respond as he stood, gesturing for our now distant friend to do the same. “I think you’re done here.”

Apparently, he’d heard enough.

“She has you all blinded,” Roman insisted, straightening his jacket as he prepared to leave. “And now that I’m here to warn you, offering you a way out, you’re rejecting it?” He scoffed at the idea that we wouldn’t jump to crucify her.

“Call us when you have something solid,” were Levi’s parting words as he escorted Roman to the door and shoved him out onto the porch. It was a low point in our brotherhood, but when neither Silas nor myself acted to stop him, it certainly proved with whom our allegiance lied.

“Just remember,” Roman uttered with a glare, and frustration brimming over, “I came to you like a man, tried to discuss this civilly. I make no promises that I’ll be able to stop Jon’s pursuit in the future. Nor will I promise I’ll attempt diplomacy if you refuse to listen.”

There was a long stretch of silence where it was acknowledged that we had reached a stalemate. Roman sought to force our hands by giving us an ultimatum, one to which none of us were willing to bend. The final nail in the coffin was when Levi closed the door, sealing us off from a man who’d been an integral part of our brotherhood. I could only hope this severance was temporary.

Levi turned to face Silas and I, and there were so many questions and thoughts lingering among us. With how he reacted, I wondered if he was in denial regarding the truth with which Roman had just slapped us in the face. However, when he met my gaze the next second, I questioned that.

“Well, there it is, gentlemen,” Levi sighed. “The rotund elephant in the room has just been set free, and it’s breaking vases, furniture and all of Nana’s whatnots,” he added casually. “So, what theheckare we to do from here?”

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