Page 32 of Digital Desire

“Let’s go find out,” Jace said as he too stood.

Aubrey could see what Lucy loved about Jace. He was a solid support and level-headed with it, and he clearly adored the bones of Lucy. As they passed the door that led to the pool area, she saw Will and Jack were sitting on loungers facing each other, deep in conversation. She hoped that they could make peace out here amongst the hell around them.

Chapter 15

Stepping out into late night air, Will took in a fortifying breath before he approached Jack who was facing away from him. The breeze carrying the scent from the acacia plants caught the air, bringing with it the sounds of the night. He saw Jack’s back stiffen when he heard him, but he didn’t turn, and he wondered at the skills his brother possessed, the innate ability to feel tension and vibes and yet be so blind to what had been going on at home.

Steeping up beside him, he stopped as they both looked out over the vista below. The house had the perfect view of the town while still maintaining the protection of the plants that surrounded them. Neither man spoke as they preserved the delicate balance of peace before the pandora’s box was opened and could never be closed again.

Will looked towards the stars that seemed so much brighter in this part of the world and the moon that seemed close enough to touch if he only reached for it. “Do you remember when we were kids and you would tell me that every time I lied, a puppy died?” Will asked not looking at his brother.

Jack gave a short, derisive chuckle before he answered. “Yeah, and every time you got caught in a lie you would cry,” Jack responded.

“Yeah, I did but not for the reason you think, but because I could see in your eyes how disappointed you were,” Will said and turned to face Jack at the same time Jack confronted him.

“And yet you got so good at it,” he said, and Will saw the pain his lies had caused and knew he had to create more pain for his brother by breaking the cycle of lies in his family.

“When I was fifteen, I came home from school early. I had been feeling poorly all day, and around lunchtime, I was running a fever and felt dreadful. So, I walked home. When I got there, I saw Dad’s car in the drive, so instead of letting on I was home, I dumped my bag in the cupboard and headed straight to bed. I couldn’t be bothered with his lectures about weakness.” Will knew he had Jack’s entire focus now.

“As I passed his study, I heard raised voices, so I stopped. The single biggest mistake of my life. He was arguing with a man about them having a deal, and if it was not honoured, then he knew what would happen. The man sounded really angry and Dad, he sounded scared and weak and not like the arrogant asshole we knew.

“Anyway, the door opened suddenly, and a man dressed in traditional Muslim clothing stood in front of me. Dad just glared at me and then I fled upstairs. I knew, deep in my heart, I knew this was bad news, but I had no idea how bad. Later that day, Dad came into my room and said that he needed my help. He said he needed me to use my skills to hack a bank and transfer one million pounds from one account to another. He said I needed to implicate you, or they would kill him.” Will heard Jack’s sharp intake of breath and looked at him.

“Why?” his brother asked.

“He said that your unit was poking around where it shouldn’t be and if you didn’t stop, they would make sure you came home in a body bag. At least, that’s what the old man told me. I felt like I had no choice, so, I did it. I couldn’t risk losing you like that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jack asked quietly.

“Because you wouldn’t have let me do it. I knew there was a good chance I would get caught. Even then, I knew my limitations, but I would only do some time in juvie. You would have been killed if you went after them.”

“Jesus Christ, Will, all this time I blamed you, and it was Dad that forced you.”

“We both made mistakes, Jack. Mine was trusting Dad and not you.”

“Why wouldn’t you? He was our dad—still is. Is he still involved with them?”

“No. Do you remember the first mission you were given as Eidolon’s leader?”

“Yeah to take out Miqdaad al-Sabir,” Jack said, and then his eyes widened as realisation dawned. “That’s who Dad was involved with? How?”

“He was using his job to clear ground troops from certain regions, so they could move their drugs and arms easily. He also gave them intel on planned missions.”

“But why? He spent our entire childhood extolling the virtues of queen and country and yet he was the biggest hypocrite ever.”

“I don’t know why, I didn’t ask. I got the evidence I needed against him and then used it to make him stop. He said he always knew there would be a price to pay when I was sent to juvie. I think he was genuinely sorry for that and he was trying to protect you in his own way. You were always the son he wanted. I was a disappointment to him.”

“And yet you saved him,” Jack said, and Will shrugged. “Did he stop?”

“Yes, I took out all the men Dad was involved with, or rather Eidolon and you did. Dad was in so deep it took me weeks to bury his shit.”

“He should be in jail for what he did to you, let alone anything else.”

“Maybe but I couldn’t do it to Mum. I don’t ever want her to know, it would break her heart.”

Jack nodded his agreement. “So, that’s why you set up Eidolon? To get back at Dad?”

“Partly, and partly because I knew your talent was too good to waste. You loved your job in the SAS, and I took it away. I needed to make good again and helping put the man that ruined our family away was a bonus.”