Page 173

“I can’t control the DA and what he decides to offer. You should know that.” My father sounds like he’s talking to someone beneath him. But that’s everyone in his mind. “Besides, five years for that stunt you pulled is basically getting away with it.”

“Nora told me all about your deal with her. I could replace her. I know all the contacts and can make all the arrangements. I could be useful to you.”

“You couldn’t even control one girl. One girl you shouldn’t have been going after if you knew what was good for you. You’re useless to me.” My dad sounds dismissive. “You wanted to rebuild my empire on your own and failed. What makes you think I want someone like you running things for me?”

“Of course, I could just give the Feds a bigger fish. Someone they’re gunning for. The DA isn’t the only game interested.” Zach sounds cocky, but that was the wrong move. He’s already in checkmate, and he barely started the game.

“Careful, boy. You’re going above your pay grade.”

“It’s a pretty compelling story. It’d make a great show. I was seduced by an older woman who told me all about her boss. I’d be a fucking hero.”

I shake my head. Zach’s already lost. You don’t threaten my father. It’s pointless. His reach is too wide.

I can almost hear the smug smile in my father’s voice when he speaks. “What do you think they’ll do when they realize you’ve broken into the house of one of your victims? After all the trouble you’ve caused. Do you think they’ll offer you any kind of deal?”

“Luke wasn’t⁠—”

“My daughter Penny. The minor you took and threatened to sexually assault after you drugged her. You chose poorly, Zach. Didn’t do your research, and that’s why I will never work with you. But don’t worry. You’ve made your intentions clear. I always clean up my messes.”

I swallow, but Zach dug his own grave. Even if I wanted to save him, I couldn’t.

“Luke, you have incoming. Caden, Will, and Penny are at the car.” Eli’s voice gets me to move. I head down the hallway and out of the house as cars pull up in the front. Agents and police get out and head for the front door.

I cross to the neighbor’s drive where I parked behind their garage and slide into the car. We’re all quiet as we watch them infiltrate the house. After a minute, they emerge with Zach dressed in black from head to toe.

He’s shouting at the top of his lungs, “He’s the fucking kingpin, and you all fucking know it.”

“They’ll never believe him,” Caden says softly.

Even if the FBI believes Zach, there isn’t enough proof, and they can’t protect him from my father. No one can.

I shake my head. The truth of it is, “He’ll never get a chance to tell his story.”

CHAPTER 56

Code Blue

Eli

The smell of antiseptic is strong in the hallways of the hospital. It’s been two days since Zach broke into William Foster’s house. They put Zach in solitary confinement when he was returned to prison to await trial, but this morning he was put into general population.

According to the records, that wasn’t supposed to happen.

He was beaten to within an inch of his life. The only thing that saved him was that one of the guards was on top of it and locked the prison down. That guard apparently wasn’t on William Foster’s payroll. Zach was rushed to the hospital with some internal damage, something ruptured from the brutal beating.

His testimony is only a fraction of the evidence that will send my mother to prison. The others who were helping him at the high school turned as soon as Zach did, more than willing to point the finger at my mother to shave some time off their sentences. Whether they actually knew she was the boss lady or not, they knew a boss lady existed.

Something Zach said to William Foster keeps plaguing my mind. Fortunately, it’s night shift and while they have a guard at the door, this one is asleep.

It’s not like the broken boy in the bed is going to escape. We don’t need to worry about him coming after anyone in his current condition.

I slip into the dark room. Machines beep, working to keep Zach alive. I could end it all with a flick of my wrist. Pull out the plugs and put him out of our misery. Jack’s already taken care of the hospital feed, putting it on a loop.

No one would know, but I can’t risk my future to end his. Jack is the only one privy to this mission. Caden and Luke would be too volatile. And Nico is still healing. This has to be information-gathering only, because if he ended up dead and someone saw me, the son of the woman he turned against, it wouldn’t look good. And no matter how much planning we do, it’s always possible someone could see me.

“Of course, it’s you.”

I turn and look at Zach’s swollen face. He has cuts everywhere. One of his eyes is swollen shut. The other is bloodshot as he stares at me. I don’t say anything but move closer to his bed. Good. He can talk.