Page 198 of Beautiful Lies

“I came across it when I was investigating John Monroe. Remember when I said it was as if someone made it easy for him to set you up?”

“Yeah. I remember.” And because we didn’t find anything else, I laid it to rest.

“The same code popped up when the cybersecurity team were tracking Chad’s PI. Our systems are tighter than ever, so we were all shocked when you got hacked.”

“It shouldn’t have been possible.”

“No. But it would be if someone came up with a way to lower our firewalls.” He points to the last instance of the code. “That’s from last week. It was linked to my files and somehow connectedto my phone. All the pictures the press got were from messages, calls, and emails on my phone with details of when I was going to see Grace.”

My scalp tightens. “Someone’s tracking us?”

“From the inside.” Dorian clenches his jaw. “Foryears.”

“Jesus. A mole?”

“Yes, a fucking mole,” he scoffs. “I got the code checked by an expert. They said it was some kind of cloaking program set to hide and activate at certain times. It was set up here at Vale Global.”

“Fuck. We need to fix this.” I ball my hands into fists.

“No, no.Me.Not you. This one’s on me.” For a second, the mask slips. The controlled, ruthless negotiator disappears. “Your shit is resolved. And you’ve done enough for me.”

Those words… He’s not just talking about now. He’s talking about everything. Right back to when we were boys and I used to take his punishments from our mother.

“I have to do something.”

“No, Knox. You have a family now.” His voice is firm and piercing. “My life just went to hell. This person fucked with me to try and destroy me. I’m not letting them get away with it.”

“What are you planning?”

“First, I’ll find my own damn wife. No one is taking my position. I’m not giving Dad or the fucking board that power. Second, I’m going to find and kill the piece of shit who’s spying on us.”

“At least let me know if you need me.” I study him—the set of his jaw, the calculation in his eyes, the weight he’s determined to carry alone.

“Sure. But this shit?” His stare sharpens. “It ends here with me.”

His eyes harden, and something inside me settles. Dorian has already slipped into the darkness he hides so well.

They called me the monster, but people never knew my brother was so much worse than me.

And I guess they’re about to find out.