Page 27 of Fractured Souls

I stop and prepare myself for what I say next. I know how I reacted, and it wasn't good. I assumed the worst and acted without thinking.

Apparently, I'm taking too long because Ryker looks pissed. “Who the fuck would do that? Who is behind the account? Can we take them out? Maybe that would put a roadblock to selling more people before we can find a way to take them down.”

I nod. “Well, the name on the account is—”

Before I can finish the sentence, Rage speaks, “It's me. My name is on that account.”

“I'm sorry, what?”

“What the fuck?”

“That can't be right!”

“Who the fuck would do that to you?”

Everything is shouted all at once, but I hear it all. I hear every single one of the brothers in this room back their president. Not assume he is involved in any way. I take a step back, then another, preparing to leave the room. I just need a minute. How could I have reacted the way I did and everyone else reacts this way? They are madfortheir president, not at him.

Before I can even think of turning around and leaving, Nerds stands and yells out, “Shut up!”

Everyone goes silent and looks at Nerds, who is staring at me. I make eye contact with him, and I feel like he can read every single thought on my face.

“Grayson, no. You found it and reacted. You did nothing wrong. Don’t.”

Before he can say more, Ryker pipes in, “What the fuck are you talking about, Nerds?”

I look at Ryker then back at Rage and say, “Me. He's talking about me because I am the only person in this room who didn't even stop to think for one second that Rage couldn’t be involved.”

A pained look flashes across Ryker’s face for a second before he retorts, “The fight that night?”

I nod, averting my gaze to the floor.

“We have a problem.”

“We do.” Rage nods, but before he can continue, I slam the door shut so the brothers out in the hall can't hear as much. In a deadly calm voice I didn't even know I could use, I say, “What the fuck is wrong with you? You're taking after your father? I thought you wanted to change the ways your father ran things. You know what Ryker, Cade, Noah, and I have all been through. I won't let my family be dragged into your mess. I can't let this go, Rage.”

Rage narrows his eyes at me. “What the fuck do you think I’ve done, Grayson?”

“You’re funding them!”

He laughs, but there is no real humor behind it as he turns a glare on me. “Are you insane? You think I'd get involved in this? I get how it looks, but no, Grayson, no.”

I shake my head, not knowing what to believe right now. “I have to tell the others.”

Rage steps around the desk coming towards me. I steel my spine, refusing to back down, even if it's the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. “You will not speak a word of this. Has anyone else seen this?” I shake my head, refusing to put Nerds on the line. “Good. Keep it that way. Grayson, I am deadly serious. Not a word. I need to figure this shit out first.”

I sputter, “You've got to be kidding me. You can't expect me to keep this to myself!”

“You will. Or I will take out the punishment on your brothers. I don't like having to threaten you, Grayson, but you are forcing my hand. Keep. Your. God. Damn. Mouth. SHUT. Now, GET THE FUCK OUT!”

I turn around and storm out of the room, making sure to bang the door against the wall. Brothers are all around looking with wide eyes.

Ry comes up to me, concern etched into his features. “Gray?”

“No. Don't ask me anything. I won't tell you.” I storm off to my room and slam the door.

That just made me believe that he really was behind all of this. I still feel unsure, but after Nerds came to me late last night, I realized I fucked up by not giving him a chance. Nerds looked into it more, and it used to be Rage's dad's account, but when he died, it went into Rage's name. Rage never knew, and the account has continued auto sending out money for years.

Cade rises to his feet and moves to stand in front of me. He puts a hand on my shoulder and looks me in the eyes. “It's okay, brother.”

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