Page 102 of Ruthless

“Roger that. See you soon.”

She took off down the hallway toward the exit. Opening the door, she peered inside to see an empty stairwell. Blowing out a ragged breath, she ran up the stairs and didn’t stop until she reached the fourth floor. Easing the access door to that floor open, Eve looked out into the hallway. It was brighter than the one in the basement had been and thankfully empty. Several closed doors lined the length, but only the one at the end was open. Bright light emitted from inside, telling her this was the office Alex was likely occupying.

She wondered what he was doing here while the palace was being attacked. Did he think at all about the lives that could be lost? People who loved him, who had nurtured and cared for him his whole life, were in danger because of him. Did he think about Papa? All the pain he’d already endured, and now, if he survived the attack, he would learn that his only surviving son had perpetuated horrible acts against his own family. Did he feel any responsibility for the pain he was causing?

She already knew the answer to those questions. Alex had no conscience, no concern for anyone other than himself.

Staying close to the wall, she crept toward the office. Even though Serena had said he was the lone person on this floor, she knew that could change at any second. She didn’t want anyone interrupting their confrontation.

She crept into the office and closed the door behind her. The desk facing the door was empty, likely designed for a secretary or an assistant. Another door to the left was closed, and she heard faint noise behind it. Yes, this was the right one.

Gun at the ready, her purpose clear, she moved swiftly to the door and opened it gingerly. She wanted to surprise him, but not until she was sure he wasn’t going to shoot her.

The instant she entered, his head snapped up from the laptop screen he’d been staring at, and his eyes went wide with alarm.

Her gun pointed straight at his head, she said, “Hello, traitor.”

“Well, aren’t you the crafty one? I assumed Dirk would have already taken care of you by now. How did you get away from him?”

“Let’s just say that things didn’t work out for your friend.”

“I’m not surprised. The man has always overestimated his charms.” He nodded toward the gun in her hand. “You know how to use that?”

For the first time ever, she truly understood and appreciated how well her father had guarded her secrets. Her brother had no idea what kind of training she had been through, or what she did for a living.

“I’m quite proficient. Something I’ll be glad to demonstrate if you make the wrong move.”

He sat back in his chair as if relaxing, his expression still way too confident.

She nodded toward the laptop he’d been staring at. “Are you watching your home being destroyed?”

“We’ll build it back. It’ll be even better than before.”

“You’re not only a sociopathic idiot, you’re a coward. People are dying because of you, and you sit here and pretend you’re in charge. If you’re so powerful, call off the soldiers. Negotiate a deal. Act like a true leader.”

“You have no idea what kind of power they’re going to give me.”

“You’re being used, Alex. All you are is their patsy, their tool. Nothing more.”

“I have plenty of power to call the whole thing off.”

“Then why not stop them?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Or could it be that you’re lying and you have absolutely no say in what’s going on right now?”

“That’s what you want to think.”

“No, that’s what I know. If you’re not going to stop the attack on the palace, get away from the laptop.” She nodded toward a chair in the corner. “Sit over there.” When he just smiled, she fired her weapon, and a pen that had been lying on his desk exploded.

Alex jerked back and then shouted, “All right. All right. I’m going.”

He got up, walked over to the chair, and sat down again. Still looking as though nothing was bothering him, he said, “Now what?”

“You’re going to tell me who’s funding your little coup.”

“Oh, little sister, you know I can’t do that.”