Page 248 of Intense

And there he is. The ghost. Half-blind, face carved with scars, a monster dragged out of the grave. Pressing a gun into the side of my wife’s head.

The rage that tears through me is near blinding. I shove Arthur inside and kick the door shut.

“I’m just here for a friendly discussion, James. Let her go,” I say, keeping my voice calm.

He bursts into a fit of laughter, sadistic and broken. “Oh, finally the psychopathic brother is here. Just a little bit early, but it’s fine, we can adapt.” His eyes flick between me and Arthur without a flicker of care.

“James,” Arthur hisses. “Just fucking listen to him. It’s over. We’re done.”

James sneers, his face twisting. “There is no fucking we. You fucked this whole family up. I had to do this all by myself. And yet, you still couldn’t even stick to my plan. All you had to do was come up here unnoticed.”

“And then what?” Arthur spits.

James tilts his head. His gun digs deeper into Stephanie’s temple. I could blow Arthur’s brains out beside me, and James wouldn’t flinch.

“You wanted us to kill your brother,” I say coldly, “so you could swoop in, save my wife, and crawl to Theo with your hero act. Right? Is that what this is all about? This isn’t revenge, this is a power trip.”

I can’t look at Stephanie. If I do, I’ll fucking break. I have to play the role. I have to be the man who feels nothing.

“Almost, Dr. Quinn,” James purrs. “Almost. Except I planned on blowing her brains out and letting Arthur take the blame. Then I swoop in and hand him to you to take revenge, all the while I reclaim my empire. I’ve worked hard behind the scenes for this. It’s been a long time coming. Would you like to hear more?”

My blood runs cold and I take a step closer. “Please. Tell me. I’d love to hear.”

He smiles smugly. “I set Dad’s trap so Theo’s men would kill him.”

Arthur’s whole body jerks with fury and I dig the gun harder into him, stopping him from lunging.

“I knew he was softening to your pathetic cries for surrender,” James sneers. “Talk of working with the Kings? No. Bowens don’t work with anyone. We rule. You lost our territories, Arthur. You were too weak. And so was Dad. I needed you both out of the picture.”

“You piece of fucking shit!” Arthur roars, voice breaking with pain.

I lean in, whispering, “Hurts, doesn’t it, when someone murders your father?”

James smiles, the scar on his cheek pulling taut. “Ah, yes. Seamus’ death was a necessity. You all had to believe I died, thatrevenge had to be taken. And Conan—oh, Conan will have his turn.”

My fist clenches at my side. Nothing will happen to my brothers.

“Why did you take my wife, James? There’s no need to keep her here, you’ve got me and your plan is fucked.”

I risk it and steal a glance at her. And it shatters me. Blood streaking from her nose. Tears trembling in her eyes. Bound to the chair, and I can’t fucking do a thing about it yet.

I failed her. Just like I failed Penelope.

“I didn’t care who showed up,” he admits with a shrug. “My plan was drugging and capturing you, turning your brothers on Arthur. But the second I saw her on your arm, I knew I had the stronger hand. You showed me your weakness.”

I nod slowly, letting a grin creep across my face. “Good game, James. I’ll give you that. But you know, I’m not going to let anything happen to her, don’t you? And now I know your weakness.”

I shove Arthur forward, releasing him.

James tilts his head. “What’s that then?”

“That I could kill your brother, and you’d thank me for it. Power is your weakness.”

He glances at Arthur, the tension twisting between them.

“So. Tell me what the fuck you want to let her go. Your hero act has gone out the window, so it’s time we made new rules to this game,” I tell him.

James scratches his scar, eyes glittering. “Easy. Your life for hers. I gotta see one Quinn brother suffer.”