Chapter 6 - The Brother Who Sold His Soul
Julian Blackwell had always been charming.
At thirty, he possessed the easy smile and expensive confidence of a man who had never been told no.
But Damon knew his brother's weaknesses.
Gambling.
Debt.
A desperate need to prove himself.
"What do you know about the Caldwell accounts?" Damon asked.
Julian poured himself a drink.
"Enough to know you're making a mistake."
"Answer me."
Julian sighed.
"Richard Caldwell helped Dad build half this empire."
"Through stolen public funds?"
"Through opportunities."
Damon stepped closer.
"People died because those hospitals never received their funding."
Julian's smile disappeared.
"Don't pretend you're innocent, Damon. You inherited everything."
"I inherited a mess I've spent years trying to untangle."
"And now you're going to destroy it for a maid?"
Damon's expression hardened.
"Watch your mouth."
Julian laughed bitterly.
"There it is."
"What?"
"The great Damon Blackwell. Willing to burn down the family empire because a pretty employee cried in his arms."
Damon grabbed his brother's jacket.
"Kate Bennett was assaulted in our home. Her mother has been kidnapped. Her father may have been murdered."
Julian stared at him.
Then something flickered across his face.
Recognition.
Damon released him.
"What do you know about Thomas Bennett?"
Julian looked away.
"Nothing."
It was a lie.
Damon knew it immediately.
Before he could press further, Matteo entered.
"We found Evelyn."
Kate was waiting in the hallway.
She rushed forward.
"Where?"
"An old rehabilitation center outside the city."
"Is she alive?"
Matteo hesitated.
"Yes. But there's something you need to understand."
Damon looked at him.
"What?"
"She wasn't kidnapped."
Kate froze.
Matteo continued.
"She arranged the transfer herself."
An hour later, Kate stood outside a small room in the rehabilitation center.
Her mother sat beside the window.
Alive.
Uninjured.
Waiting.
Kate entered slowly.
"Mom?"
Evelyn turned.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Sweetheart."
Kate didn't move.
"Why did you disappear?"
Evelyn looked toward Damon.
"Because I knew what would happen when you found the notebook."
Kate felt betrayed.
"You knew about it?"
Her mother nodded.
"Your father gave it to me before he died."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I wanted you to have a normal life."
Kate laughed once.
It was a broken sound.
"A normal life? I've spent fourteen months working double shifts to keep you alive."
Evelyn began crying.
"I know."
"Did Dad really die in that car accident?"
Her mother covered her face.
"No."
Kate felt the room spin.
Evelyn lowered her hands.
"Your father was murdered."
Damon stepped forward.
"By Richard Caldwell?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"No."
May you like
She looked directly at Damon.
"By someone in your family."
