Page 20

His eyes grow cold, his smile fading. “Tell me, Alessandro, how does it feel to know you failed her?”

Every muscle in my body stiffens.

“You see.” He takes a step toward me, his index finger pressed to his lips, deep in thought. He looks around, ensuring no one is close enough to hear. “The dumb bitch searched for your address on my computer. Even tried to email you asking for help, so I know you two were in cahoots.” He laughs as my heart speeds up, my body shaking. “Guess she didn’t realize I could see everything and pulled it back before it ever got into your hands.” He tsks, shaking his head. “Such a shame, because it was right before the charity event your dearest mother held last month for the women’s and children’s center, which is why Charlotte unfortunately couldn’t attend.” He leans closer, whispering, “I’m afraid I got carried away with her punishment.”

Red blinds my vision, and my control snaps.

I lunge for him just as Vin appears by my side, gripping my shoulder hard enough to hold me back.

“Governor Johnson.” Vin removes his hand from my shoulder and extends it toward him. “My family and I are very sorry for your loss.”

The governor smiles, taking Vin’s hand. “At least some of you have manners.”

Vin tugs him closer. “If I find out you had anything to do with Charlotte’s drowning, I will personally ensure you suffer the same fate in my family’s lake, where no one will ever find your body.” Vin drops Garrett’s hand, and Garrett shakes it out as he straightens.

“Is that a threat?” he sneers.

His guard’s phone rings behind him.

Vin shakes his head, adjusting his jacket. “Not a threat. Just a promise.”

Garrett regards us with disdain. “Well, I’ve never—”

“Sir,” one of the guards interrupts him, appearing closer with his phone pressed to his ear. “Apparently there’s been an incident at your house.”

Garrett’s jaw clenches. “What kind of incident?”

The guard swallows nervously. “It caught fire with all the guards inside.”

Garrett blinks a few times. “Excuse me?”

“The fire department is there now, but they’re saying it’s a total—” The man stops speaking the moment he sees Garrett’s face turn deep red, his veins bulging along the side of his neck. He faces me, eyes wide, his demeanor pure evil.

“You did this.” His breaths come out fast and harsh, his fingers curled into fists at his sides.

“Are you accusing my brother of starting a fire at your house when he was here the whole time with his family?” Vin asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

He points a shaking finger at me. “I will kill you—”

Vin steps between us, lowering his face to Garrett’s level. “Threaten my brother again, Garrett. I dare you. In fact, please do. I’m begging for a reason to put you six feet under.”

Garrett opens his mouth, but his guard rushes out, “They’re asking to speak with you right away, sir. They think—”

“For fuck’s sake!” Garrett scowls at the guard, who cowers backward. He pinches the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as he inhales deeply. Opening them, he looks between Vin and me. “As always, it’s been a pleasure.” He turns and strides off, his guards following closely behind him.

Vin faces me, rubbing his jaw. “Did you burn his house down?”

I adjust my glasses. “Possibly.”

Vin sighs. “We need to talk.”

“Why?” I step closer, almost eye level with him. The bastard has me beat by one inch. “So you can tell me how disappointed in me you are for how I’m handling everything?” I drag my fingers through my hair. “I’m a thirty-one-year-old adult. I don’t need my brother to fucking tell me—”

“Goddammit, Alex.” He lifts his hands in exasperation. “I’m not disappointed in you. I’m disappointed in myself.” He stabs his index finger against his chest. “I fucked up. I know I did, and I’m fucking sorry!”

I turn, giving him my back. “She’d still be here right now if I hadn’t listened to you.”

“I know that. I do. But at what cost?”