Page 48 of Payback

I sucked in a breath through my teeth. “Is he alright?”

People from other tables turned to stare, and a hush spread across the dining hall. It seemed like everyone wanted to listen to Charlotte’s latest news.

When she didn’t answer, my intestines twisted into tight knots. I resented him for getting involved in that kidnapping plot, but I wouldn’t wish a brutal beating on anyone. “Do you have any news on his condition?”

“Do you think Rudolph arranged it?” whispered Henry.

“It’s an uncanny coincidence,” added Blake.

I leaned forward, trying to catch her eye. “Is he in a regular hospital?”

“What do you care?” she spat.

My shoulders dropped. “Sorry for asking.”

“What happened?” asked Edward.

She shook her head. “Nobody knows. The guards found him last night half-battered to death.” Then her gaze landed on me. “If you had stayed in your own country, none of this would have happened.”

The words struck like a punch to the gut. There was a grain of truth in what she said, but she was wrong. If it was anyone else, I would have let the comment slide, but Charlotte was no stranger to arranging violent ambushes.

Straightening, I met her square in the eye. “You chose to drag your brother into this. What did you think would happen to him when I got released?”

A tiny voice in the back of my head, combined with the defiance in her eyes, said that she hadn’t expected me to leave that apartment alive. I pushed away those thoughts. As long as I stayed with the boys, no one else could hurt me.

Charlotte sniffed. “And my agent emailed to say the newspapers withdrew their offers.”

“There’s the answer to your mystery,” said Blake.

She tilted her head to the side. “What are you talking about?”

“You went behind our backs and decided to use the videos for yourself. What if Rudolph bribed your agent to bury the footage? Your agent was only ever going to receive a percentage of what the papers would give you. Rudolph could have made him a better offer and decided to teach you a lesson through your brother.”

Her bottom lip trembled. “Are you saying I was the cause of what happened to Peter?”

I turned and slashed my hand over my throat in the universal sight to say cut it out, but Blake continued speaking. “Rudolph knows someone is out to get him. Because you took that footage to an agent, all evidence points toward you.”

She turned to Edward. “This is all your fault.”

“Do elaborate,” he drawled.

“You told me to pull down the cameras.”

“And you knew those cameras were linked to the Saturday Correspondent.” He glanced up. “Did you think you were the exception to Rudolph’s wrath?”

From the way she winced, I wondered if she had believed she was special to Rudolph.

“You four are making me look stupid.”

Henry’s head shot up, and he gave her a ‘who, me?’ look. He hadn’t said a single thing, but Charlotte blamed him all the same.

Slumping in my seat, I placed my fork on my plate of summer fruits and Belgian waffles. Watching Charlotte rant just made me tired. Everything was backfiring on her, and she was spiraling out of control. Although she had made me feel like that at the gauntlet and when she had arranged for my abduction, I couldn’t feel much pity for her.

“What did I ever do to you?” she hissed at me.

“If you have to ask, I can’t explain,” I replied.

“You’re a bitch.” She balled her fists and raised her voice, so even the kitchen staff could hear. “If I ever get the chance, I’ll repay you five-fold for what you’ve done!”