Page 80 of The Revenge
Trying to be subtle, I glance over my shoulder at Syn. He’s staring out of the window, but I have a feeling he’s not looking at the scenery. I feel like I’m experiencing a dozen emotions at once, but all of them are positive.
Syn’s just found out that his brother was murdered by his best friend.
I’ve been holding tightly to the bottle of water Syn gave me, and I finally take a sip. Then a gulp. Before I know it, the bottle is empty.
“You want another?” Royal asks, breaking the silence.
“No, thank you.”
The car falls into silence again. I have a million things I want to say. I’m sure they do too, but silence is easier.
Somehow, it doesn’t even feel uncomfortable.
After a while, everything on either side of the freeway starts to get bigger, brighter, and busier, and it’s not long before Royal takes the exit, and we’re driving down Broadway.
Usually, I love all the Christmas lights and window displays, but tonight, it seems surreal.
Outside, even though it’s late, there are still people about. Most seem to be in high spirits with smiles and laughter, enjoying the festive cheer. Every single one of them is oblivious to the fact that tonight, the lives of everyone in this car have changed.
Finally, we’re pulling into the underground parking garage of Syn’s family apartment. There’s a security guy who standswhen Royal pulls up beside his booth, but he seems to recognize Royal and lifts the barrier without question. The garage is a single floor and mostly empty. The few cars parked there are all luxury models.
Royal pulls into a bay in the corner and switches off the engine. He turns in his seat to look at Syn. “What are we doing about Preston?”
“Leave him in the trunk until my father says what to do with him.”
“Will your father be back from the gala?” I ask him.
Syn just nods.
“Let’s get this over. I don’t want a murderer bleeding all over my car,” Royal mutters before he gets out of the car.
I turn to do the same, but the door opens before I can touch the handle.
“After you, my sexy lady.” Gemini waves his hand as he bows into a ninety-degree angle.
The four of us head over to the nearby glass doors and take the elevator to the penthouse. The room we walk into isn’t the same one I entered through last time, and I don’t recognize the first few we pass through. Eventually, Syn leads the way to the office I found his father in last time.
Although it’s late, a voice tells us to enter after Syn knocks on the door.
Mr. Keyingham is standing by the window, drinking a glass of whiskey as he looks out across the city. He turns back to face us, his frown quickly changing to a surprised expression as the four of us file into the room.
“What in god’s name have you been doing?” William’s eyes zero in on me. “And what is she doing back here?”
“This is Victoria Reynolds, though I’m sure you already know that by now,” Syn informs him. “And her brother didn’t murder JP.”
“Her brother is only in prison because I couldn’t get the death penalty. Heconfessedto murdering my son.”
I start to step forward, ready to object, but Royal reaches for my hand. When I look up at him, he gives me a very subtle shake of his head.
“Cole Reynolds was forced to confess by the person who really killed him. The same person who kidnapped Tori tonight, with the intention of killing her to keep that truth buried.”
“And who might that be?” William asks, scoffing.
Syn walks over, keeping the desk between himself and his father. “JP was killed by Preston du Pont.”
William falls silent, staring intently at his son as though he’s waiting for the punchline. When Syn remains as silent as his father, William’s gaze moves to the three of us standing behind, sweeping over each of us, one-by-one. He raises his glass to his lips and finishes the drink before he sets the glass down heavily on his desk. “That’s a dangerous accusation you’re making there. You need some serious evidence to back up your claim.”
“Preston confessed,” I blurt out. “I’ll go on any record I need to.”
