“What’s going on?” Shawn asks steadily.
He doesn’t get a reply.
Are they keeping us here because they want my parents? I hope Mom and Dad heard the commotion and got out, because the media will have a field day if Mya and Xavier Beaumont walk off the property in handcuffs.
While they raid my home, they keep us waiting, and my eyes land on Rip. He’s got his hands up like the rest of us, but his eyes are dull, as if he’s complying like it’s a hassle, not because he’s terrified. I mean, I’d say we’re fairly calm for people who’ve had our fair share of close calls, but have never truly been confronted by the cops as criminals. But Rip and Thomas? I’d think this is just another Tuesday for them.
Are they used to this, or is their poker face that good?
I want to scream, but my lungs are tightening in on themselves. The remaining air is expelled, leaving me utterly without breath as I watch three officers and a cuffed Aralynn walk through the room.
“Ara!” Odie shrieks. Her body tenses, ready to bolt, but the sight of an officer's raised gun, his finger hovering over the trigger, keeps her in her place.
My gaze locks with hers, intense and unwavering, silently saying, “Don’t do anything stupid.” Getting a bullet between the eyes will only make this worse. Odette gives a curt nod, her wide eyes fragile, so close to breaking one would assume she truly believes Aralynn is innocent of whatever crime they’ve got her for.
My father appears, practically flying down the steps in a mad rush. Mom is right behind him, and she shouts, “What the hell is going on here?”
They didn’t leave? What are they thinking? Are they as in the dark as us, or did they know it was coming?
As understanding of the aimed weapons and raised hands hits them, their eyes turn vacant like a ghost's, and they freeze on the steps. Dad's Adam's apple bobs as he swallows hard, and then, with deliberate slowness, he and Mom raise their hands.
Damn. I knew there was no way he would have a plan to take out the whole police squad in the middle of our living room, but is he seriously not even going to talk our way out of this? He’s Xavier fucking Beaumont for fuck's sake. Surely there is more to this. Right?
Guns still aimed at us all with fingers on the trigger, an officer speaks. “Aralynn Beaumont, you are under arrest. Italian authorities have issued a warrant for you on charges of drug trafficking and embezzlement. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”
Ara’s gaze turns dark toward the officer as she drops her head low, accepting it. They're grabbing her shoulders and arms, forcing her to move, and basically manhandling her. Meanwhile, another man has his finger dangerously close to the trigger, glaring at Odette, still worried she’ll make a move.
I want to make both of those cops pay for daring to threaten my sisters like that. Criminal charges or not, Aralynn doesn’t deserve to be shoved around like she’s garbage, and the man's grip on the gun pointed at Odette has no business being so tight when she hasn’t moved a muscle since the initial shock hit. It takes everything in me to keep my feet planted and swallow the hot rage burning inside of me.
I happen to see Rip looking at me. Just for a moment, his tough eyes show some sadness before he blinks it away.
Something in me wants to confide in those eyes, but that feeling is foolish. As if Rip could ever know what truly goes on in my family.
This is my problem. I worry so much about Rip that the rat has struck again. Clearly, only having Shawn and me snuff them out isn’t working. I appreciate the faith Dad had in us, but we need a few more people in on this.
Whatever. The only thing I know right now? When I catch the snitch-ass motherfucker taking down my family, he won’t be breathing long enough to realize who’s taking his sorry life.
19
Kingsley
Ipace around the room, taking long, thoughtful steps with my hands clasped behind me. For the fiftieth time today, I will myself to ask the same question.
“Why did you leak information about my sister?” I ask, my tone tranquil.
Before me sits Elijah, a trusted man of many years I’ve hardly paid attention to until now, with utter fear etched on his face. “I swear I didn’t. Kingsley, you have to believe me.”
I suck on my teeth. “You and Arthur were with her in Italy, and since you were so close, you had ample opportunity to plant evidence and set her up. Elijah, if anyone could have tipped off the police without suspicion, it’s you.”
“We know you’re the reason cops show up at every job we take,” Shawn adds, leaning into Elijah’s face and forcing him back.
“Check everything I own,” he says, hands raising defensively. “I’ve been loyal to this group since you were a toddler, Kingsley. If you think I did this, then do what you must, but you’ll be wrong.”
Elijah stares at me, chest up, eyes unwavering, definitely not the guilty look I was hoping for. At this point, I’m creatingsuspicion for him that isn’t there, like the dozens of other men I’ve interrogated today. Shawn and I have been wasting our time since we started, but I don’t want to accept that fact.
I have no clue who’s ratting us out, which is painfully obvious now. News of Aralynn’s arrest has spread like wildfire throughout the org. The police showing up to a few jobs uninvited is one thing; a house arrest is a whole different level. Now, instead of only my family’s eyes, I’ve got the whole Crowncrest wondering what I’ll do about the snake.
My father has been the least bit helpful throughout the entire process. He keeps telling me to figure it out. It’s like he doesn’t realize this ishisempire crumbling right beneath him. Teaching me a lesson is worth more than killing a traitor.
