Page 36 of Never the Same

“What’s going on?” Gideon’s deep voice jarred our attention to the entranceway. He was casually leaning in the doorway. When neither of us answered, he straightened, his expression changing from calm to grim. “What is it?”

Julian walked around and blocked me like a shield as he quickly shared what we’d been discussing.

I remained quiet as I searched for the backbone I’d temporarily had against our mother upstairs.

Gideon’s already strong broodiness developed a severe case of broodier with every word Julian said.

“It all adds up now,” I said once Julian was done talking. “The tracker. The source code. The knowledge of the book and that drug. You were right about something, that only someone close to our family could have pulled this off, and possibly”—I swallowed—“this is somehow my fault if I was chasing that book and left you all in the dark for some reason. Our mother is right about me.”

Julian abruptly turned and faced me, but he couldn’t deny that last part, could he?

“I don’t think I can stay here, I’m sorry. I—I feel partially responsible but also afraid, because someone close to us had to be involved.”

I didn’t know who to trust when it came to my family, including my brothers, but I did know where my gut said I belonged. With Audrey, and most of all, with the man I couldn’t stop thinking about, even if he didn’t like me.

I stared at the painting of our family crest. “In tempore veritas.” A tear escaped as I translated in a hoarse voice, my mind made up about what to do. “In time . . . there is truth.”

Chapter Twelve

Reed

“I need to talk to you.” Hollis latched on to my forearm and tugged. “Alone.”

From inside the office, I surveyed my teammates, preparing myself to say no to her, but she squeezed her request right into my flesh, her nails digging in.

“Guess it’s urgent?” I said like a question as Alex gave me a funny smile and shrug. “I’ll follow ya, but mind letting go?”

She glanced at my arm and cursed, releasing me. “I left a mark.”

You always do. I waved off her apologetic expression, forcing a smile. “Where would you like to—”

“The bedroom.” She didn’t wait for my objection and took off, clearly assuming I’d do as promised and follow.

Great. Perfect. Just where I want your murderous older brother to find me alone with you. I dragged a palm down my face, muttered an, “I’ll be right back,” to the team, then did what I was told and met up with her in the bedroom.

It was my first time seeing her today; I’d only caught her staring down at me from the window this morning, and that was it. What happened that had her needing me ASAP and alone?

Hollis shut both doors behind me, then whirled around and declared, “I’m coming to Charleston with you and your team. With the time difference, if we leave soon, we can make it before nightfall.”

“Whoa, slow down.” I held up my hands like that’d do any good. I knew damn well once Hollis made up her mind, she became an in-motion human wrecking ball, swinging away. And I was currently her target.

She stepped in front of me like she was ready for a face-off. “I can’t stay here, and my family plans to kick you out. You know too much already. They won’t even let you sleep under the same roof as me and—”

“We know absolutely nothing. Neither do you, unless something changed this morning.” I folded my arms, doing my best to stand my ground so she wouldn’t knock me over, or the wind out of me.

“Tristan—you know about him. That’s apparently too much.” She flung her arm wide, narrowly missing whacking me in the jaw. The woman was dangerous for my physical and mental health.

I walked back a step, free and clear of her hands. I didn’t need to be punched again, or have nail marks in my skin like a brand. Not that I wouldn’t mind her—

Shit.

Another step back was needed. Unfortunately, I had nowhere else to go but up against the doors.

“We have contingency plans if they try to force us to leave. Gideon already tried that in your hotel room in Rome.”

“You were in my hotel room?” she asked, her voice softening a touch.

“Of course.”