Page 171 of Ruthless God

Then, with a hard shove, she sends Blanc crashing onto the floor at my feet. He groans, coughing, struggling against his bindings.

Cecely’s voice cuts through the silence. “Here. I brought you the real traitor.”

Moretti is the first to lean forward. “Explain.”

Cecely doesn’t hesitate. Her voice is cold. Controlled. But beneath it is rage.

“Blanc wasn’t just complicit. He orchestrated it all. He made Gabriel buy those women. He’s the one who shot Gabriel that night, making Claudius cover up the murder and take the blame for it. He’s the reason the Brotherhood fell apart in the first place.”

Blanc’s laugh is low, dark. “You really have no idea what you're talking about, do you?”

Cecely kicks him in the shin. “Shut up. No one wants to hear your lies.”

I smirk. Damn.

Moretti glances at me. “Is she telling the truth?”

I arch a brow. “Yes.”

Carter’s jaw tightens. Santos mutters a curse under his breath. Henderson, however, leans back, shaking his head.

He asks the other Elite Members, “So what are we supposed to do? Take his word over Blanc’s?”

Cecely turns on him, her gaze like fire. “Take mine.”

Henderson scoffs. “And why the fuck should we trust you?”

“Because, unlike the rest of you, I have nothing to lose. I have no stake in this game. And, if you’re really curious why you should take my word, go to the basement. You’ll find all the proof you need down there.”

Moretti’s lips press into a thin line. Then, finally, he nods. “Blanc will answer for his crimes.”

The words send a ripple through the room. Blanc, however, only smirks. And that more than anything bothers me. I crouch beside him, gripping his chin. Forcing him to look at me.

“You're smiling.”

His eyes glint with something dangerous.

“Of course I am.” His voice is raspy. Weak. But still confident. “Because this isn’t over, Irons.”

I press my fingers harder against his jaw. “Yes, Blanc. It is.”

Cecely steps closer to me, her shoulder brushing mine. I glance down at her. She’s breathing hard, her hands clenched into fists. But when she looks up at me, there’s no fear in her eyes. Just determination. And then her gaze goes to Blanc.

“You’ve lost, Blanc.” Her voice is steady, unwavering. “Everyone will soon know what you’ve done. I wish I could say I’m sorry that I didn’t have time to know you, but I’m not.”

“You stupid little pawn.” His voice cuts through the room like a knife. “You have no idea what you’re doing.”

He jerks his head in my direction.

“You think they’re going to keep him around after all of his sins come to light? That they’ll let him live?” His voice drops to something venomous. “They’ll turn on him faster than they turned on me.”

The words hang in the air.

Cecely turns to me, her expression shifting. Not with fear. Not with doubt. But with something I can’t quite name.

She takes a step forward. Places a hand against my chest.

Her voice is quiet but firm. “They're not taking you.”

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