Page 71 of Deadly Rival

“What’s happening?”

Candice’s image fills the screen. I yelp and drop the iPad. Jesus. The back of my neck prickles at how fast she appeared. But questioning the wisdom of creating life can wait for another day.

“Get Jacob. Please. Sebastian’s gone after my brother, and it’s a trap.”

Candice’s face shows a very good replica of shock. “Oh no.” A pause. “I’m talking to Quinn now and tracking Sebastian’s car. He left his phone in his office.” She pauses, then frowns. “Crap. He’s stopping.”

Stopping? Shit. Where the hell has my brother sent him? I try to remember the journey here, though it’s mostly a blur. He must have found a vacant house in a town close to the forest.

“Jacob and Quinn are on their way. I’ve also let Kendrick know what’s happening.”

Three conversations at once. It’s unnerving, even in this situation. How powerful is Candice? And are there more like her? At least she’s on our side. For now.

“He’s not moving, just sitting in his car with the engine running. There’s a village on the edge of the forest, and he’s on one of the outer streets.”

The front door bangs open. I jump up to find Jacob and Quinn in the living room.

“Ophelia. Give me the short version.” Jacob looks every bit the military guy now, and he listens calmly as I explain.

Jacob nods. “Your brother. What is he like?”

I pause, confused, before it hits me what he’s really asking and why. He wants to understand my brother better so he can work out the best way to approach the house. To save Sebastian.

And probably to kill Harrison.

Family is everything.

My dad’s voice. It’s been quiet lately. But if family is everything, why did Harrison let me suffer? It’d have cost him nothing to take away some of my crippling guilt. Just one word from him would have saved me so much pain, and he couldn’t even do that.

He doesn’t deserve my loyalty.

“He’s a hot head but isn’t stupid. He’ll stay out of danger and have men doing the dirty work. He’ll let them capture Sebastian, then come in once he’s restrained.” I swallow. “And he won’t drag things out. He might take a few minutes to hurt him, but killing him and getting out before anyone shows up will be his main priority.”

Jacob’s face hardens. “Thank you. Kendrick is readying the chopper. We’ll get there in time.”

Candice pipes up from her iPad. “His Tesla just went dead. You’d better hurry.”

Thirty

Sebastian

I kill the engine.I parked a couple of streets down from the address Harrison gave me, but I doubt I’ll keep the element of surprise. He’s probably got guys watching for my car. Or drones, or God knows what else.

I’m way out of my depth.

I’d be out of my depth if Harrison were some two-bit criminal, and he’s a long, long way from that. The Calders are sophisticated. They’ve been a thorn in the Brotherhood’s side for years. Why, exactly, do I think I can do this?

It’s a good question, but it doesn’t stop me getting out of my car, hand wrapped around my gun. Harrison Calder kicked the shit out of me once for accusing Ophelia. How funny he must have found that moment, smashing his fist into my face, all the while knowing what he did. He felt nothing. No remorse. No shame.

I should do the sensible thing and let this play out the way I originally planned. I should be coming to this moment with the full strength of the Brotherhood behind me, not alone with a gun I've only fired at a range. I’ve always wondered whether I’dbe able to shoot a person, but now my mind is settled on that point.

If that person is Harrison, the answer is yes.

The house is a run-down, cottage-style property on a big patch of overgrown garden. This rough little village mostly houses seasonal farm workers, and it shows in the condition of the properties. This one is in worse shape than most, though, and feels abandoned.

A man in a checkered shirt walks past, cap pulled low, but only spares me a single sharp glance. Did he see the gun? Will he call the cops? I doubt it. This seems like the kind of place where people mind their own business.

Do I burst in the front door? Creep around the back? The night we saved Eve from her asshole ex, Jacob kicked down the door and went in like a raging bull, but that was two idiots who thought they were safe. Not a crime mogul on high alert.

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