As he says this, he moves to a nearby table and picks up a file.
He shoves it at me and folds his arms over his chest. “It’s all the proof you need.”
I glance at the file, flip it open, and my heart sinks. The first few pictures are the ones Carlisle took, showing our brother meeting with several key members of the opposing families. I study the new pictures, each more damning than the rest.
Mathew has done his homework.
Any hope I had of resolving this quickly and quietly is gone.
He isn’t wrong to want to make an example of Oliver. Just because his methods are different doesn’t mean they don’t get him results.
I snap the folder shut. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”
“That’s it?” Mathew says. “Maybe I should’ve gone to our father instead. You’re the head of the empire. You know what needs to be done.”
I shoot Mathew a cold look. “The men who are still loyal cannot learn about this. Those who are working with him will answer for this. As for our brother…” I approach Oliver, look him in the eye, and punch him. He makes a low sputtering sound when I grip the back of his neck and force him forward. “He needs to be moved to a secure location where we can deal with him a little more freely.”
Mathew chuckles. “I was beginning to think I’d have to take care of this myself.”
I look at my twin and raise an eyebrow. “He needs to be taught a lesson.”
Mathew smiles again. “There’s no need to involve Father until we know more.”
I release the back of Oliver’s head and walk over to my brother. “I agree.”
Together, we turn to face Oliver, and even though the fresh cut over his eye is bleeding, he’s still looking at us.
I’m sorry, Mom. I tried. I’ll be as careful as possible.
I have every intention of giving Oliver a quick death, regardless of how Mathew feels, but he needs to come clean first.
“For once, the two of us can have fun,” Mathew says. “Would you like to do the honors?”
I smile. “With pleasure.”
“Don’t waste your time removing the gag,” Mathew adds. “No point in listening to whatever bullshit he’s going to sell us.”
I stop in front of Oliver and look down at him. “I know you don’t believe me, but I’m sorry it’s come to this.”
“I’m not. Worthless piece of shit. I always knew he was a liability, but it’s a good thing we caught this in time.”
I ignore Mathew and turn to Oliver. I can’t stop seeing the little boy who held an injured bird in his hand, even when it nipped him. With a frown, I shove the image away and reach into my pocket for the knife. It glistens, and Oliver’s eyes widen in fear as he leans away.
“Tell us what we want to know, and I’ll make this painless.”
“I won’t.”
A door opens in the background, and footsteps descend. Mathew’s right-hand man appears, and I turn to find their heads bent in conversation. Mathew gestures wildly as the man nods. Then my brother turns to me, takes a napkin out of his pocket, and wipes his chin and knuckles.
“I have something to take care of. Don’t have too much fun without me.”
Once the door shuts behind him, I turn to face Oliver, who has renewed his bucking and thrashing. I remove his gag, and hechokes, snot and sweat running down his face and mixing with the blood. He sniffs and lifts his head to look at me.
“I didn’t do this, Mason.”
“I thought I knew you. I knew a kid who liked to help people, who wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“That’s still me,” Oliver maintains. “Mason,please. Hear me out. Mathew is setting me up.”