Page 72 of Crimson Heart

Now he knew why Flora had deleted the video, whether of her own accord or on Byron’s behalf, he didn’t know. It didn’t really matter. All that mattered was what was said on the video. He couldn’t keep this to himself.

He copied the video onto a tablet and rose.

Jude had to see this.

He found him in his office, where he was on the phone. Jude lifted his hand to indicate that he was finishing the conversation.

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” Jude said into the phone, then ended the conversation. “Francisco, what do you have for me?”

Francisco pointed to the tablet in his hand. “Potentially bad news.”

“The Leons? Have they⁠—”

“It’s not about the Leons,” he interrupted.

Jude raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

There wasn’t really a good way of saying it, so he came right out with it. “Flora deleted a file from the security camera right outside the front door. I caught her and was able to restore the file. You’re not gonna like what’s on it.”

As Francisco tapped on an app on the tablet and placed it in front of him on the desk, Jude prepared himself for what was to come. He wasn’t sure how much more bad news he could stomach, not for his own sake but for Charlotte’s. So what had Flora done now? He was aware that she didn’t particularly like him and was upset that her role in the household had been diminished. So what was she up to now, deleting a surveillance video?

The clip began to play, showing Flora and Byron standing outside the front door of the mansion.

“Byron!” Flora called out.

“What is it now?” Byron replied, seemingly annoyed.

“What’s wrong? I heard you slam the door to Jude’s office.”

“What do you think is wrong? Everything is wrong! He’s ruling this pack as if he owned it. I hate these meetings with him where he wants suggestions from me about how to improve the businesses, and then he never implements a single one of my ideas. It’s a farce!”

He looked up at Francisco and motioned to the video. “That’s hardly bad news. You know as well as I do that Byron isn’t a fan of mine. I don’t hold that against him.”

Francisco shook his head. “Keep watching.”

“…wouldn’t have happened if he’d mated with Eve!” Byron continued complaining.

“And hadn’t killed Cameron, and exiled your father.”

“But no, he snubs Eve and humiliates her in front of everybody. As if she’s a nobody! I can’t forgive him for that.”

“I get it. I’m sure he wouldn’t like it either if somebody did that to his sister! Then Jude would be just as pissed off. Maybe then he’d understand what he’s done.”

Flora’s words sent a bolt of lightning through his body.

“He has a sister?” Byron asked.

“Yes, I overheard him and Austin talking about her a while ago.”

“I didn’t know that. You sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I believe she’ll visit at some point. Danielle mentioned something the other day.”

“She’ll visit? Do you know when?”

“Byron! Don’t tell me you’re planning something. I know you, Byron. If you try to seduce Jude’s sister and then decide to publicly dump her, I’m warning you: don’t do it. It will not end well.”

“What the fuck!” Jude hissed.