Page 27 of Shared By Her Brother's Best Friends

“How? When?” I ask, feeling numb.

“A few months ago. She fell down the stairs in her home, the coroner ruled it an accident,” Bess says gently.

“But you don’t think it was?” I ask, uncertain if I want to hear the answer.

“I’m not sure. But I don’t like coincidences.”

“Why did no one inform me before now?”

“The legal system is complicated and slow in Mexico, especially when working with another country. They were having difficulties locating you since you moved and changed your name. Apparently, they only recently found your address, and a letter was mailed to you some weeks ago. I imagine it couldwell be waiting at your home as we speak. I believe Max is the sole beneficiary of his grandmother’s estate,” she explains.

My mind tries to catch up and process the information. “So, you think that this Victor Kane could have killed both Adam and his mother? Why?”

“With men like Kane, he kills for two reasons, to send a message or for money. In this case, it could be both. By all accounts your mother-in-law was a wealthy woman,” Bess adds carefully watching my reaction.

“Killing them doesn’t make sense, he can’t make dead people pay a debt…” I say, shaking my head in confusion.

They all look back at me with sorrow and pity in their eyes and I finally catch up to their thinking.

“That’s why they want Max. He’s the beneficiary of the will. He’s their way to getting the money,” I say. My mind starts turning over the possibilities, “But we don’t have it yet, I assume Max won’t be able to touch it until he’s older, or I’ll be in charge of it until then… is that why they came after us both? What if we just get in contact and give them the money? Could we do that? I don’t want it,” I insist, frantically looking around the others for inspiration.

“We need to see the will to know what we’re dealing with, but Kane isn’t the kind of guy you can just pay off and he’ll go away. He’ll always come back for more or find a way to make you forever in his debt,” Bess says gravely.

My head starts to swim as the horror of what Bess is telling me sinks in.

There’s every chance that a deranged psychopath has killed my husband and mother-in-law and now is after my son, and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop him.

Chapter 14

Mason

Iknew the moment I laid eyes on Emma I was in trouble. I just didn’t realize exactly how much trouble this woman was in. Victor Kane is not the kind of guy I want to go up against, and yet that’s exactly what we’re going to have to do. Emma and Max are J-Bird’s family, which means they’re part of the Iron Serpent family and we take care of our own. No matter what.

Breaking the news to J-Bird sucked. He understandably wanted to come and get Emma and Max and put them on the first plane out of the country. Unsurprisingly, Emma refused. I have to admire her bravery. I think perhaps she’s hoping that it isn’t Victor Kane behind it after all, I know I am.

J-Bird immediately went round to Emma’s apartment to check her mail. He confirmed that a letter from the attorney had come through confirming our suspicions, Max was the sole beneficiary to a sizeable inheritance with Emma having access as his guardian until he turns twenty-one. Good news in normal circumstances, fucking terrible if Victor Kane thinks he’s owed the money.

“So how are we supposed to find out if Kane is behind all this? We can’t exactly walk up to him and ask,” Jax points out.

“And we wouldn’t want to put ourselves on his radar if it isn’t him,” Ty adds bleakly.

“I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it,” Bess says, looking at me.

Bess and I have known each other since we were teens in foster care together. She knows me better than anyone. If she’s saying I won’t like her plan, I’m going to fucking hate it.

“What is it?” I ask reluctantly.

“Venom used to work with Kane. I can go and speak to him,” Bess says.

I can tell from her expression there’s more to her plan than she’s letting on.

“Who’s Venom?” Emma asks, confused.

“Venom is the vice president of the Hell Riders,” Ty explains.

“Would he speak to you? Share information?” Emma asks hopefully.

Again, Bess glances over at me. I already know what she’s going to say.

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