Fraud

Gabriel

“Wake up, Gabe. We’re almost to the damn house.”

An elbow slams into me, jarring me awake.

Son of a bitch, it feels like I haven’t slept in days, even though it’s only been twenty-four hours. I was doing fine for most of the day, but then a certain asshole decided it would be better to take his car to the Governor’s mansion after dropping mine off at my house.

The long drive put me to sleep.

Cracking my eyes open, I turn my head to scowl at Ta

“Maybe if you slept last night, you wouldn’t be so tired. And that’s not my fault. That’s all on you for being an idiot.”

My scowl deepens, and I turn my head to stare out the side window. The sun is setting on the horizon, bands of red, orange and pink painting the sky. For some reason, Bob Ross comes to mind, but in the mood I’m in, I feel like ripping all the happy little trees out of the ground before setting the world on fire with happy little flames.

“She’s better off away from us, and you know it,” I argue, a

All fucking day, Ta

“That’s crap,” he says as he takes a sharp turn up a ramp to the highway.

My jaw tics. “Why won’t you drop it?”

“Because you didn’t drop it with Luca and me. And I’m glad you didn’t. I’m just returning the favor.”

“You can keep it.”

He laughs. “Says the guy who didn’t sleep last night because Ivy was at the twins’ house. But you’re right. I should shut up. I’m sure after the two of them double teamed her, she’s forgotten all about you.”

Teeth grinding, I slide my stare his way with the intent of ripping his head off. “It’s like you want the twins dead.”

“The fuck ever, Gabe. While watching you and Ivy go at each other for the past eighteen years has been fun, it’s about time you accept what the rest of us have known all along.”

“Stop stealing my lines, dick. I know you’re desperate to be like me, but you’ll have to write your own material.”

He grins at that. It was the same thing I told him when he was fighting a battle against Luca.

While everybody else could see he wanted her, Ta

It only pisses me off more that he’s absolutely correct about my feelings for Ivy. But that’s not the problem.

“If they apply, I’ll toss them right back at you.”

“I haven’t claimed I don’t want her. My issue is the fact that every shitty thing happening to her right now is because of me.”

He doesn’t react. Instead he keeps his eyes on the road and taps a thumb against the steering wheel. “A lot of shitty things happened to Luca because of me. It all worked out in the end.”

“Luca didn’t show up at your house with bruises on her face.”

His eyes cut my direction for a split second before returning to the road.

“That’s what this is about? You had your ass handed to you several times as a kid, Gabe. We all know it, and some of us...”

He gives me a pointed stare.

“...were there to witness it. Including Ivy. But that doesn’t mean she’s going through the same shit because of you. Her dad’s an asshole. Just like ours. Take your anger out on him, and leave her out of it.”

“She wouldn’t have been in that position-“

“Yeah, she’d still be trapped in a life where she’s nothing more than a brainless socialite, there to look pretty and nothing else,” he argues, cutting me off. “If you ask me, both of you have done more favors for each other than you’re willing to admit.”

“I didn’t ask you.”

“Too bad, I told you anyway.”

The car swings across two lanes so Ta

Nothing else is said as he navigates his way to the Governor’s mansion, our arrival unexpected and una

We pull up to the main gate, the guard giving us side eye before he calls ahead to alert the governor of our presence. I’m half of the mind that the guard will be given an order to call the cops, that or, at the least, turn us away, but surprise lifts my brows when the gate slides open.

Ta

At this moment, we have the upper hand, and I’m sure it’s as uncomfortable for Thomas Callahan as walking around with a stick jammed firmly up his ass.

My fingers tap on the armrest of the door as the car winds up the long driveway, my eyes sca

It was only yesterday that Ivy and I had driven this path, my promise to be on the same team with her now sounding hollow even in my own head.

I hadn’t lied to her about how I felt, but I also refuse to continue dragging her into my bullshit where she can be hurt.

Thomas will be lucky if I leave this house without introducing my fist to his face. The asshole deserves it for touching Ivy.

“No violence until we get what we want,” Ta

“Is it that obvious?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, Ta

We don’t have to knock. The butler pulls the door open before we have the chance, anger written into the line of his mouth.

“Mr. Caine,” he says before his eyes slide my direction. “And Mr. Dane.”

“Save it, Jeeves,” Ta

“My name is Harrison.”

“You say that like I give a shit. Where’s Governor Callahan?”

The question is barely out of Ta

“Harrison, I’ll take care of our guests. You’re excused.”

“Yes, sir.”

When Thomas reaches the bottom floor, his stride closing the distance and the sides of his jacket flying out with the swiftness of his steps, he flicks a dismissive glance at Ta

“Probably because while they’re here, we’ll explain your involvement in mail fraud, extortion and murder.”

Governor Callahan stops in place, his stare locking to mine. To be honest, I have no idea if he was involved in two of those crimes. I’d just tossed them in because it sounded good. Judging by the look on his face, I’m not too far from the truth.

Ta

His stare flicks to Ta