Page 305 of Redeemed

“This is ridiculous,” he exclaims before turning to face everyone. “He’s lying. This is sabotage.”

I sigh. I expected this from him. Hell, I expected worse. But this is why we brought proof. He has nothing to support his claims.

“Not only is Mark stealing money from the general fund, but he’s also responsible for the death of Joe Carverandfor covering it up. That, and he’s planning on restructuring the Rooks. He wants to replace all of us with people who don’t know who they’re working for and don’t know anyone else in the organization.”

“It’s safer for everyone,” Mark sputters.

“You mean it’s easier foryouto make sure no one finds out you’re exploiting them.”

“You’re saying a lot of things, Colton,” Lane says warningly. “Where’s your proof?”

“Sitting right in front of you,” I reply with a flat look. “Everyone, inside your folders, you’ll find screenshots of emails and texts from Mark talking about his plans for the Rooks.”

The rustling of papers fills the room as everyone looks over the proof we printed out this morning. A couple people gasp, and there are more than a few dirty looks that get pointed Mark’s way.

“So you don’t have any proof about what happened to Joe?” Lane challenges. “And what about your accusation that he’s stealing money from the Rooks’ general fund?”

“Lucas, if you would?” I ask.

With a nod, Lucas moves to his laptop, which we connected to a speaker. He plays the recording Greg gave him—the one incriminating not only Mark, but also Lane.

Mark stares at Greg with shocked fury. “You—”

“We take from others,” I say, loudly enough to cover his voice, “butneverfrom each other. Mark has demonstrated over and over again that he’s abandoned the very principles he’s founded the Glass Rooks on. He’s not fit to lead us anymore.”

“And what about Joe?” someone from the crowd shouts.

“Doesn’t matter.” Jack Smith’s eyes are dark as he focuses in on Mark. “How much have you stolen from us? Is that why you’ve been denying so many funding requests lately? What the hell, Mark?”

“Everything Colton is saying about Joe is true,” Gerard cuts in as he stands from his spot at the table. “I worked that job. I’d just joined the Rooks, so I didn’t feel comfortable confronting the person running point, but Mark did neglect to follow the safety procedures. I—I’m sorry I never said anything. He threatened my family.”

“I can confirm that as well,” Dave Carver—Joe’s brother—says. “Joe had no idea Mark was sacrificing his safety. I confronted Mark about it after the fact, and he told me that if I ever breathed a word about it, he’d come for my nephew.”

Mark jumps to his feet. “I said no such thing!”

Jack Smith’s fist slams down on the table. “It doesn’t fucking matter. You stole from us. You lied to us. And you’re trying to take away the one thing that keeps us all protected. You’re lucky I don’t shoot you where you stand, you bastard.”

“The last page in your folders,” I tell everyone. “It’s my father’s personal log of every job he’s ever run point on. I scanned the entry for that specific job. You don’t have to take my word for it. Mark admits it himself.”

When Mark whips around to face me, Xander steps forward protectively. He’s having a hard enough time containing his fury as it is. Mark tried to kill his family, for fuck’s sake. All Xander needs is an excuse, and he’ll beat the man to death right here.

And, looking around the room at all the shocked and hurt expressions, I don’t think he’d be doing it alone.

“I gave you everything,” my father hisses. “I trustedyou.”

I nod to all the people in the room who’re watching silently, their fury so palpable, I can practically taste it in the air. “Andtheyall trustedyou.”

Without another word, I make eye contact with Gerard and then Brandon. They stand and quickly make their way to us.

I step back. “Get him out of here.”

“Are we killing him?” Gerard whispers.

Xander goes stiff beside me.

“No,” I say quietly. “That privilege belongs to someone else.”

Mark is shouting as Brandon handcuffs him. I don’t pay attention to a single thing he says. He’s lost all respect from me.

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