Page 107 (2/2)

Kyle backed away from the counter and paced “You realize Ethan is a worse threat than Vale or Horton? He has more money, more power, more connections, more motivation—and a hell of a lot less of a soul if he can pull this sort of shit”

“I’ve reached that conclusion, too”

“And Qadir and Nikolai?”

“There’s absolutely nothing that suggests they’re involved,” I said “And they joined the society

right before Dane Like within h they have no idea Dane’s father was once a st family Dane broke that code for me, because I insisted I needed to know”

“Maybe you ought to rethink your boundaries on what you find acceptable, Ari”

I let his he felt he deserved Then I said, “I have two favors to ask you” I shoved aside my bowl “I want you to carefully consider the What’s best for you Not me Not my family Not even my son Just you”

“Ari” He halted and stared deep into ive me ultimatums”

My stomach coiled “I don’t have a choice, Kyle You and me … we’re a lot alike We do what our heart tells us to do We follow our gut reactions So But ays have good intentions”

He groaned “Already, I’ this”

“Kyle,” I began, dread and tension gripping me “There’s a difference between honor and stupidity Sadly, neither of us knows that difference”

His jaw clenched

I continued “Dane doesn’t do anything without thinking it through from start to finish And he’s wicked-fast about it When it co needs to be done, but we don’t always think the solution through to its natural conclusion”

“Get to the point, Ari,” he said in an agitated tone “What are the two favors?”

I stood and planted my hands on the counter “I want you to leave Now”