Page 63

Colton

In the morning, I’m on the road before the sun is up, my bike carrying me at speeds that would make Haven’s knees go weak. Yesterday’s events have placed more responsibility on my shoulders than I’ve ever had, and if I’m going to keep Haven safe, I have to move up my plans.

I’m headed for an overlook next to an electric plant that Charlotte often uses for meetings. She switches between a few places, but she loves to watch the sunrise—not that she’d ever admit to it. The overlook has a perfect view of the eastern sky, so it’s my best bet of finding her.

So much of the Glass Rooks hinges on her. She’s the one who plans everything, who delegates jobs, and who keeps everything in order.

I pull off and follow the dirt road to the overlook. After a quick scan of the area, I spot her black Bugatti and come to a stop next to her. When I turn off my bike, I’m immediately startled by the silence. We’re far enough away from town and the interstate that it’s almost completely quiet out here. It’s peaceful. Beautiful, especially with the clouds turning orange-pink.

Not the type of place to plot a man’s downfall.

Only once I’ve pulled off my helmet does the driver’s side door of the Bugatti open. Out steps Charlotte, dressed in her long cream peacoat and her usual red-painted lips.

“Hello, Charlotte.” I don’t even bother dismounting. Whoever she’s meeting will probably be here within the next five minutes, and I need to be long gone by then.

“I had a feeling I’d be seeing you today,” she says with an intrigued yet passive expression.

That pulls a smirk from me. It takes a lot to surprise Charlotte.

She crosses her arms. “A mental breakdown. Really?”

I shrug. “Got the job done effectively enough. I already hired a private security company to bring him home from the police station and watch him carefully. He’ll go stir-crazy quickly enough that he’ll look insane by the end of the week.”

Charlotte nods in approval. “Simple yet effective.”

“I haven’t restricted his access to technology.”

“As a test?”

I nod.

When Mark gets his phone back from the authorities, I have no doubt that the first thing he’ll do is put out a hit on whoever brought him in. Hell, he might even put a hit out on me and Haven.

I’ve given our people a plausible reason to disobey him. Something to shield them from his wrath. They were simply following orders. My orders. Who obeys—and who doesn’t—will tell me exactly how many people I have behind me.

“So you’re ready, then?”

Up until recently, Charlotte and I had never spoken directly about dethroning Mark. We’d never had to. If there’s one thing Charlotte is good at, it’s making predictions with one-hundred-percent accuracy. That, and she’s so good at gathering information that it feels like she literally has spies everywhere.

So she knew it’d come to this.

She’s always known.

“I am.”

“It’s about time.” She doesn’t say it with judgment or irritation. If anything, she lets a touch of tiredness slip through her facade of never-ending strength.

“Do I have you? Even if things go poorly?”

She looks up at me, and I must be imagining things, because her eyes are glassy. “Always, Colton.”

I already knew, but I wanted to hear her say it. Wanted something tangible to hold onto when things look unsure.

“Thank you,” I say softly.

“You’ll have to be bold. Unwavering. There’s no room for error, and definitely not for weakness. Not during the transition.”

“I know.”

“When?”

“As soon after graduation as possible.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Good. And you’re sure you’re ready?”

“I’ve been preparing for this for six years, Char.”

Eyeing me, Charlotte tilts her head. “Only six? I could’ve sworn it’s been at least seven.”

I let out an amused breath. “Are you really surprised that you picked up on my feelings before even I did?”

She hums. “No, I suppose not.”

“Who else do we have with us?” I already know, but I want to go over it with her one last time.

“Bradford, definitely. Smith as well. Obviously, you have Gerard and Brandon. Hartley has always been a fair-weather friend, so as long as you’re effective enough, he’ll be yours.”

“Oh, I’ll be plenty effective.”

“Discrediting your father doesn’t guarantee you a win. Lane has been vying for Mark’s position for years. He’ll probably contest the bylaws, say they’re too outdated.”

“Then I’ll kill him, too.”

“Don’t, Colton. Don’t go down that path. It’s his, not yours.”

I knew what she was going to say before the words were even out of her mouth, and goddammit, I knew she’d be right, too. Forcing loyalty and obedience with the threat of death is how my father has led the organization since I was a teenager. It’s only ever caused problems.

“It’s one thing to kill Mark,” Charlotte says. “He’s a dictator. Getting rid of him is a heroic act. But Lane? He hasn’t done enough to warrant murdering him. That wouldn’t go over well in the court of public opinion. You need to gain people’s trust, not shatter it.”

“I know.” Running my hand through my hair, I sigh. “I just can’t stand the fucker.”

Charlotte chuckles. “That’s the type of thing you’ll have to set aside as a leader.”

“Yeah,” I mutter.

“But back to Lane. You need a plan to handle him.”

“I have something I can use against him,” I say. “Wasn’t sure if I should use it, but I think I have to.”

“All right. And what about Wesley Carver?”

I narrow my eyes at her. “What about him?”

Charlotte purses her lips, a telltale sign that she’s irritated. “Don’t play stupid with me, boy. All you have to do is tell him the truth about his father’s death, and he’ll do anything to help you dethrone Mark.”

“I don’t need his help.”

She gives me a scolding look. “Don’t let your childish dislike of him get in your way. He’s quite skilled, and just as ruthless. So are Cal and Kellan.”

I frown. “I’ll think about it.”

“No, you won’t.”

Now that takes me by surprise. Never in my life have I taken an order from Charlotte. It’s always been the other way around.

“Excuse me?”

“I’ve watched you grow up under the thumb of a cruel, greedy man. Despite his best efforts, you turned into someone worth pledging loyalty to.”

Something twinges in my chest, and I rub at it without thinking.

“I’m not the only one in this organization who’s been rooting for you, and I’m not going to watch you fail,” Charlotte continues. “If you’re going to take down your father, you need as many people behind you as possible. That includes Wesley and his friends. You will bring them in on this.”

However much I want to protest, I know Charlotte is right, so I nod. “All right. I’ll let them in.”

“Good.”

I glance around, half expecting to see another car pulling up by now. “I should go.”

“One more thing, Colton.”

“Yes?”

“Mark may be contained for the moment, but Lane isn’t. It’s possible they’re working together, which means Lane could attempt to finish what Mark started.”

It takes me a moment to realize what Charlotte is talking about because I didn’t tell her that Mark tried to kill Haven.

“Jesus, woman. How do you find this shit out?”

A smile breaks through, and Charlotte’s eyes sparkle. “I have my ways.”

“One of these days, you’ll have to teach me.”

She chuckles. “One of these days, I will. But for now, protect your wife. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

I tip my head toward her. “Yes, ma’am.”

Charlotte slips inside her car again. “Stay safe.”

“You as well.”

With a nod, she closes her door, and I head back the way I came.

Charlotte is right. I can’t kill Lane. But if he comes near Haven—if anyone comes near her—it’s on sight.

Fuck the consequences.