Page 222 of Redeemed

Greg nods, his expression grim. “I’m aware.”

“He could come after you both.”

“Obviously,” Theo says boredly.

I cut him a sharp look. “I’m not sacrificing Mom’s and Rora’s safety. We have plenty of evidence piled up against Mark. We don’t need this.”

“How much of what you have is circumstantial?” Greg asks.

Nostrils flaring, I bite my tongue. Most of it is, but I’m not fucking admitting that.

“See? Told you,” Theo says to his father. Then his eyes rest on me. “What’s on that drive is rock-solid proof that Mark is skimming off the top of the Rooks’ general fund. It’s exactly what you need to get everyone on your side.”

“And if it’s not?”

“We can protect Sandra and Aurora,” Greg says. “We have the resources.”

“I’m talking about Mark ordering the entirety of the organization to come after us. You can’t protect them against that.”

“We can relocate them until things blow over if needed,” Greg replies. “We’ll keep them in hiding and rework a different plan to dethrone Mark.”

“But we won’t need to,” Theo cuts in, “because you’re going to succeed. Otherwise, Mark’s leadership will only continue to run the Rooks into the ground.”

“I’m not putting them in danger again,” I grit out.

“You already are,” Theo says coolly. “You’re with Colton on this. It’s already obvious enough, and when he makes his move, Mark will have confirmation. Why do you think that’s not enough for him to come after Cassandra and Rora?”

“Because—”

My hands curl into fists as Theo’s question sets in. My initial thought process had been that Mark wouldn’t go against Greg without reason to, but Theo is right. Punishing me—or trying to blackmail me—by threatening my family’s safetywouldbe reasonable in Mark’s eyes.

“Fair point,” I admit.

“Colton will need to make his move soon,” Greg says, and it almost sounds like a warning. He hands me the flash drive. “Things are shifting with the board. Mark has swayed a few people who we initially thought would side with Colton.”

“Seriously?” I groan.

“Greed is a powerful tool, and Mark wields it well. But rage is powerful, too.” Greg clasps my shoulder. “Give the drive to Colton. It’ll turn enough of the Rooks against Mark, and they’ll view his son as a hero—and a leader to replace his father with.”

“I’ll give it to him, but using it is up to him.” Shrugging Greg’s hand off my shoulder, I slip the drive into my pocket. “Thank you. Are we done?”

With a disheartened sigh, Greg nods. “Yes. We’re done.”

“Then let’s get back to Christmas.”

Turning on my heel, I march out of the room. I already have to spend Christmas without Xander. I’m not wasting any more of it without my family.

. . .

“Luc.”

Xander jumps into my arms the second he steps into Colton’s kitchen. He buries his face in my neck and holds me in an embrace so tight, it almost hurts.

“Hey.” I nuzzle my face against his. “Missed you.”

I spent a few nights at Greg’s house, but I made sure I’d be here when everyone got back. The disappointed look in Rora’s eyes was like a stab to the gut, but I needed to see Xan as soon as possible.

“You have no idea how much I missed you.” Xan pulls back just enough to kiss me. “God, Luc.”

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