Page 120 of Freed By Fire
I’m sorry, Mason. I’m doing what I can to make this better, I promise.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mason
“I don’t want your fucking excuses.”
“Boss, Oliver is clean. There’s nothing—”
I shoot him a look that silences him. “You’re not looking hard enough.”
A cold gust of wind whips past us, and I hear a car in the distance. Slowly, I shove both hands into my coat and move closer to Carlisle. In the semidarkness of the gazebo, I can barely make out his features, but I can sense his unease.
I don’t like being out in the open any more than he does.
But pretending to examine the estate for weak spots is the only thing that makes sense, and the only way I can speak to my right-hand man without arousing suspicion.
The manor isn’t safe anymore; neither is the club.
Until I have an idea of how deep the rot goes, I can’t risk tipping my hand.
You’ll find out who’s working with your brother. It’s only a matter of time, and at least you have Katia, Carlisle, and a handful of men.
Carlisle stiffens when I lean in close enough to see his pupils dilate. “I want the fucking traitors. Not more excuses. Oliver has learned to be careful, but it doesn’t mean the evidence isn’t there.”
Carlisle nods.
I draw back to look at him and frown. “Do I need to remind you of what Paynes do to traitors?”
“No, boss.”
“Weed them out, Carlisle,” I add. “I want to personally make them pay.”
Even if it means leaving myself exposed.
I know I can’t fight a war on both fronts, but it doesn’t mean I won’t try.
There’s still time. You will get to the bottom of this.
The alternative is too dire to consider.
Whatever his reasons for working against me, Oliver has already crossed the line, and whatever mercy I hoped he possessed has probably been replaced. He’s been away from his world for so long, but now that he’s worked side by side with some of the most ruthless men in the business, I can only imagine the impact they’ve had on him.
They’ve awoken a beast in him, and my poor brother is no more in charge than I am.
He’s a puppet on a string, ready to do their bidding, and I wonder what they’ll do to him once they’re done.
You can’t save Oliver from his choices without risking your life and London’s. He’s made his bed, and now he has to lie in it.
“I’ll bring my men in on this.” Carlisle looks away from me, and his eyes sweep over the estate, taking in every noise and every disturbance.
“Only the ones who can be trusted. Remember that whoever is planning this has people helping on the inside.”
“I’ll beat the shit out of anyone who comes too close,” Carlisle says.
The corners of my lips turn up into a smile. “Good. Leave them with a taste of what’s to come.”
Everyone needs reminding of what it’s like to have the full force of the empire breathing down their neck.
