“He’s being transferred to one of my building sites,” Xavier tells me over the phone as I step into my car. “It’s completely deserted at this time of night.”
“I’ll see you in twenty minutes then.”
He hums in agreement. “I’m not sure why you asked me to capture your father-in-law, but since it’s you, I’m certain he deserves it.”
“He does,” I tell him, feeling conflicted. Faye told me she didn’t want to hurt him, because she’s doesn’t want to sink to his level, but fuck, I’m far below that already. If I see this through and she finds out, would I lose the trust she placed in me?
“Good, because I picked up all your favorite tools on the way. I’ll have him tied up and ready for you.”
I chuckle, I can’t help it. Xavier is just as crazy as I am, and that kind of non-judgement is exactly what I need tonight. “Such a good friend.”
Xavier laughs. “You owe me.”
I shake my head as I drive through a restricted area, toward Xavier’s half-built apartment complex. “Fucking Kingstons and your favors.”
The funny part is he doesn’t need any favors from me. Just as there’s not much he won’t do for me, it’s the same on my part. If Xavier ever needs me, I’ll be there. Especially after tonight.
I find him leaning on the hood of his Aston Martin, his phone pressed to his ear. He ends the call as I park next to him, an easy smile on his face. “You good?” he asks, his gaze roaming over my face. “You look far more… conscientious than usual. You sure you want to do this?”
I hesitate. I can’t let him get away with hurting my wife for years, but I’m not sure I could hide this from her for the rest of our lives. A secret that big can’t remain contained forever, and once it’s out, she’ll realize I’m just as much of a monster as her father. She thinks she knows who I am, but she hasn’t seen the extent of my cruelty — I don’t want her to.
“Yeah,” I murmur.
His gaze is searching, like he’s considering stopping me. “Dion,” he begins to say, only to straighten, his eyes moving past me. I turn around to find five supercars approaching us, shock coursing through me when they park in a single line, side by side, caging both Xavier and my own car in.
The doors open, and my brothers and Silas step out, their expressions grim. “Did you tell them?” I ask Xavier. He shakes his head, looking mildly impressed.
Zane pauses in front of me and crosses his arms, a chastising look in his eyes. “I’m offended you tried to hide this from us,” he tells me, his jaw locked.
Lexington nods and moves to stand next to Zane. “Offended isn’t the word I’d choose. More like fucking pissed off. Did you really think none of us realized what you’ve been up to on our behalf? The only reason we left you be was because we thought you needed it. We all felt that taking matters into your own hands the way you do would help you heal old wounds, but this? What the fuck is this? You need to learn to ask for help when you need it, Dion. We’re your family.”
Ares sighs and places his hand on my shoulder. “Did you truly believe I wouldn’t realize that Hannah popped up in the Kingston mansion as a maid, or that you were behind her finally losing all her financial backing?”
Luca throws me a knowing look. “And did you think I wouldn’t figure out who was behind Val’s father’s robbery? You beat him to near-death and threw his wallet in the garbage bin closest to him. It was obvious it wasn’t a robbery at all. It was revenge, and I’m grateful for it, because despite my wishes, I couldn’t have been the one to do it. I couldn’t have faced my wife if I had.”
Silas nods at my brothers before looking at me. “Which is why you’re going to stay out here while we handle Faye’s father. I’m well aware you were behind Mona’s sudden death. She died the same way my father did, albeit behind bars, and I know I owe you for it.”
Ares squeezes my shoulder and smiles. “Do you know why we allowed you to step in? Why we kept quiet? It’s because you did what none of us could. Now that you’re standing in our shoes, you finally get it, don’t you? If you go in there, you’ll never be able to look your wife in the eye without feeling immense guilt. You won’t be able to keep this from her, and that secret will fester. It’ll destroy your conscience. You can’t do something that might make Faye fear you, but we can.”
“You knew,” I murmur, shocked.
They glance at each other and chuckle. “Of course we knew. You did your best to keep your secrets, Dion, but come on. We’re Windsors, and we’ve been worried about you.”
I stare at them speechlessly, a knot unraveling in my chest. I can’t quite define the feeling, but it’s one I haven’t felt in years. Reassurance. Loyalty. Gratitude.
Zane hands me a remote while Lex hands me an earpiece. “I placed bombs in all of Jimmy’s mines. Silas ensured they’re empty. We might not have the full story, but we protect our own, Dion. We’ll make it so he’ll never recover.”
“Any special requests?” Luca asks as he picks up a crowbar from Xavier’s chest of tools.
I straighten my back and nod. “Beat him harshly,” I say through gritted teeth. “Break as many bones in his body as you can, and when he’s at his lowest, tell him about the bombs. I want him destroyed, both physically and financially.”
Zane’s expression flashes with comprehension, and one by one, my brothers follow. “That piece of shit,” Ares mutters, reaching for a set of brass knuckles.
“How fucking dare he touch one of our own,” Lex says, his body shaking with anger.
Xavier wraps an arm around my shoulder and nods reassuringly. “Stay here,” he says. “We’ve got this.”
I force a shaky smile onto my face. “I owe you.”
Xave shakes his head. “No. Not for this one.”
I lean back against my car as they all walk into one of Xavier’s half-finished apartment blocks, disappearing from sight. I’ve been so desperate to make Faye rely on me, but all the while, I refused to acknowledge that I’ve been the same. I need to learn how to rely on others too. At the very least, I have to try. I can’t ask something of her that I’m not willing to do myself.
