Page 48 of The Dis-Graced

“I need to be on a plane to Japan in two hours. I don’t know why I agreed to come here, but it was a mistake,” Dalton says with a voice of steel.

Dalton heads Dallanger Construction, overseeing the building of spectacular creations around the world, so I know his time is important, but so is Devon.

“We can’t just sit here and do nothing while—”

“What, you want me to spoon-feed Devon the next thing to destroy so he can run off for a weekend with my fiancé again? Or maybe instead of a hotel, he can burn down the skyscraper I’m erecting in Japan. With our money and his bad choices, the options are truly limitless.”

“I get it,” Devon mumbles.

“Look, I understand that you’re still mad about that, but you dodged a bullet! Jessica is on her second marriage, she made a fortune from husband number one because the dumbass didn’t make her sign a prenup,” I say.

“Yeah, but I’m supposed to be able to trust my brothers. How can I possibly hand him any business if I can’t trust him.”

I knew this would be an uphill battle, but I honestly didn’t think he’d bring up Jessica. He’s glad she’s out of his life. I have to find a way for him to see Devon as a brother again.

“You know what mother’s doing is wrong. She has good intentions, but it’s wrong.”

“If it wasn’t for her, Devon would be dead.”

“Are you really going to talk about me like I’m not here?” Devon says.

Dalton rises from his chair. “We’re done here.”

Devon’s head falls in defeat. I haven’t given up yet, but I have mere seconds to think of how to convince Dalton to stay.

My phone vibrates, and I see a message from ALAN.

ALAN:There are some articles pertaining to your brother. Dalton is being commissioned by a man by the name of Caspian Sage, whose son died of an overdose. If Dalton agrees to help with Devon, it might soften negotiations.

My brow arcs upward in confusion, not entirely sure if the information is accurate, but I have no choice but to run with it.

“Caspian Sage’s son ODed and died,” I say, and Dalton stops in his tracks and pivots to face me.

“Like I care,” he says nonchalantly.

“Maybe you should. If Devon were to go forward with his story, and he were to tell the world his brother Dalton turned his back on him in his time of need, it might strike a chord.”

Fury lights Dalton’s eyes. “If our shithead brother—”

“I’d never,” Devon pipes up. “I promise I’ll never talk about our personal business again!”

“But you have,” I say. “Addicts do that kind of thing. Mom has kept him on lockdown, but legally there’s only so much she can do, especially since he’s not in free fall now. Helping him, will help you.”

Dalton shifts his jaw, looking between Devon and me with clear contempt. “What would you have me do?”

“You need to help me with mother. Help convince her that Devon needs to be rehabilitated and not just locked away on an island.”

“I have a damn job, an important one! I’m making Dallanger Corporation hundreds of millions of dollars a year, but I’m expected to—”

“Compassion,” I say. “You’re expected to show your brother compassion.”

“Fuck! Do you really wanna go up against mom?”

“You’ve always been her favorite. If anyone can convince her, it’s you.”

“Just-just tell me what needs to be done.”

“We need to get ahold of Derek.”