Chapter 197

“Are you ready for this?” Jack asked, his eyes trailing over my face, looking for any signs of fear or hesitation. I schooled my features into a blank mask. Sure, I was nervous, but he didn’t need to see that. He already hated that he’d gotten me involved. Too bad I was the only one that could do this, and I’d do anything to get the Schreibers out of our town.

I took a deep breath and gazed up at the towering mansion. It was on the outskirts of town, far enough away that I’d never seen it, but still close enough for the Schreibers to cause havoc. The house seemed quiet, but I knew our grandfather lurked inside. Him and whoever survived the fight.

“I’m ready,” I said, keeping my voice steady. Matt and the rest of the Peacekeepers had already surrounded the house. They were keeping their distance but staying close enough just in case we needed them. It made me feel better knowing he was out there. I knew, without a doubt, that Matt would do anything to keep me safe. Just like I’d do anything for him.

“I can do this,” I added, noticing Jack’s skeptical expression.

Jack flashed me a tight grin. “Damn straight. Now, let’s go put them in their place.”

I grinned. “They’ll wish they never fucked with us.”

Jack gave me a fist bump, then started for the door. I walked just behind him, my gaze darting around the dark property. It seemed too easy, but no one stopped us as we approached the house. Maybe they didn’t have enough people to guard the property. Maybe they wanted us here. It didn’t matter either way.

Jack didn’t bother knocking. He tried the door, and the knob twisted beneath his hand. He pushed the door open and stepped into the dimly lit foyer. I followed close behind him. We didn’t bother to close the door as we walked across the wide room. A large, curling staircase led up to the second floor, and Jack took the stairs two at a time. It didn’t seem like anyone was around, and the eerie silence sent a chill down my spine.

The house would have seemed abandoned, if not for the glowing lamps and pristine furniture. Not even a speck of dust floated in the air as we walked down the long hall. Portraits lined the walls, and I glanced at the nearest one. Henry Schreiber was written beneath the picture. It wasn’t our father, an old relative perhaps, but the name still sent a sharp pain through my chest. I sucked in a breath and Jack followed my gaze.

His expression darkened. “Come on,” he said in a low voice.

I forced myself to nod. He led me to a room at the far end, where a small leather couch and two chairs sat. Nearby, a closed door loomed. From the way Jack was looking at it, I could only assume it was our grandfather’s office.

“Where is everyone?” I whispered.

“I don’t know.”

The silence of the house was quickly becoming unbearable. Where was everyone? I expected there to be guards. People. Not this cloying, empty silence. I felt like I was wandering around a haunted mansion, waiting for a ghost to jump out and chase me through the dark halls.

“This is creepy,” I hissed as Jack started for the door.

Jack just threw me a bemused look over his shoulder. He didn’t bother to knock before he swung the door open. I moved to follow him into the entrance but paused just before I walked into his back. He’d stopped in his tracks.

“Come in, Jack,” a deep, gravelly voice said. “Bring your sister.”

Jack and I exchanged a quick look, and I nodded. This was why we were here. No point coming this far, only to resist at the last minute.

Jack squared his shoulders and strode into the room. I followed him, not bothering to shut the door behind me. There was no one around, anyway.

We came to a stop side-by-side, facing the wide oak deck. Despite the difference in decor, it reminded me of standing before Ronan’s desk. A rush of nausea moved through me at the memory, and our grandfather smiled, like he could see it on my face.

He was a large man, with gray hair and black eyes. His broad hands rested on the desk in front of him. He balanced a crystal glass in one hand and raised it to his lips, the brown liquid sloshing slightly as he took a sip. Several scars cut across his face, the white lines a stark contrast to his tan skin.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he said, looking at me.

“Oh, we just came to chat,” I answered, smiling at him. I hoped at least it was a cruel smile. I’d practiced it in the mirror, just to make sure I got it right. So much so that Matt kept telling me that if I kept it up, I’d never produce a genuine smile again.

He cocked his head. “Is that so?”

Jack frowned. “Where is everyone?”

Our grandfather laughed. “Oh, they scattered after the fight. They’re lying low.”

“In town?”

“Around.”

I had to give it to him. His face gave nothing away. He almost looked like he was having fun. I couldn’t fathom this man being related to me, much less fathering Henry. Our father was kind and principled. He fought for us and gave his life to save us. This man didn’t care about anything but power.

“We want you to leave and never come back,” Jack said.

“Is that so?”

“That’s why he said it,” I snapped.

His smile widened. “And if I don’t? I know you have the Peacekeepers prowling around out there, but that means nothing to me.”

“It doesn’t matter to you if you die?” Jack growled.

Our grandfather shook his head. “The Schreibers will continue with or without me. My time has come and gone.”

“You appointed a new leader?”

“Freddy was supposed to lead,” he answered, his gaze darkening for the first time. The expression on his face made my blood run cold. I could see how easily he could be cruel. “As it stands, Blake was next in line.”

Jack looked startled. “Blake?”

“She’ll do well.”

Jack shook his head, then a grin spread across his face. “She’s nothing like you. She’ll do everything differently. You know that, right? Everything you fought for is going to crumble.” Jack seemed to think about it, then he smiled. “But you didn’t appoint her, did you? She revolted and the rest of them followed.”

He scowled. “She’s more like me than you think.”

“You thought that about me, too.”

Our grandfather gave Jack a knowing look. “You are. You’ve always had a penchant for cruelty. Just ask your sister.”

Jack’s face fell as he looked at the floor. Anger rushed through me, and I glared at the man before me. He had no right to talk to him like that.

“We came in here to give you an ultimatum, but I guess there’s no point. You’re the only one here.”

“So, I am.”

I grabbed Jack’s arm and led him back toward the door. “Then there’s no point in chit-chatting.” I gave Jack a look, trying to convey what I wanted without words. After a moment, he nodded.

“Goodbye,” he said. “Enjoy hell.”

We turned and jogged through the house, back down the wide staircase and out the front door. A girl with blue hair was standing at the end of the driveway waiting for us, her arms crossed. Matt circled her in his wolf form, growling low in his throat.

“Blake,” Jack said, crossing the drive to her. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t want a war with you,” she said. “Let us go and we’ll leave town.”

“It’s not up to me,” Jack answered. “You’ll have to come talk to Nina.”

Blake just nodded and looked up at the house. Her gaze slid to me. “Do it then. He’s waiting.”

I frowned but allowed the pull of the earth to flow through me. The ground trembled, and she took a step back, her eyes widening. Moments later, the house crumbled, burying our grandfather in the rubble. I told myself over and over that he didn’t deserve to live, not after everything he’d done, but I felt a pang of guilt as the dust settled.

“He doesn’t deserve your sympathy,” Blake said, her gaze on my face. “He was cruel.”

“I know,” I answered. I turned to her and nodded my head at the long drive. “Let’s go. We have a lot to figure out.”

“I want peace,” she muttered, but she allowed Matt to corral her toward the road where our cars waited.

“Good,” I said, following them. “That’s kind of what we’re all about.”