Chapter 3
Rachel moved Ethan upstairs.
Not because Daniel asked.
Because she refused to discuss betrayal over a crying child.
One bodyguard stayed with him.
The other returned downstairs.
Jason sat on the sofa with his arms crossed.
No phone.
No console.
No confidence.
He hated the absence of those things more than he hated what he had done.
Rachel looked at Alyssa.
“What does Ethan not know?”
Daniel answered.
“Nothing.”
Alyssa looked at him.
That told Rachel enough.
“Alyssa.”
The seventeen-year-old swallowed.
“Dad said you might move.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
Jason laughed.
“She knows.”
Alyssa glared at him.
“You shut up.”
He smiled.
“Scared Mommy Rachel takes your card too?”
Alyssa’s face reddened.
Rachel watched.
Jason had learned Daniel’s favorite weapon.
Make people fear losing comfort.
Then call obedience gratitude.
“What did Daniel tell you?”
Alyssa looked at Rachel.
“That after tonight, you and Ethan might stay at the lake house.”
Rachel turned toward Daniel.
“For how long?”
He said nothing.
Jason answered.
“Long enough.”
Rachel looked at him.
He smiled.
“Dad said you needed time away.”
“From my house?”
Jason laughed.
“His house.”
Daniel suddenly said:
“Jason.”
Again.
Too late.
Rachel looked around the family room.
She had purchased the house.
Quietly.
Through people Daniel never bothered learning existed.
But property wasn’t the point.
Entitlement was.
“What happens tonight?”
Alyssa whispered:
“There’s a family dinner.”
Rachel knew.
Senior Carter capos were coming at nine.
Officially informal.
Daniel had insisted.
Jason leaned back.
“Dad says once everyone sees who actually controls this family, things get easier.”
Rachel almost smiled.
“Who actually controls it?”
Jason looked at Daniel.
Then himself.
There.
The fantasy.
Daniel said:
“This conversation is finished.”
Rachel stared.
“No.”
“Rachel.”
“You don’t end conversations in rooms my men protect.”
His face changed.
Jason looked toward the guards.
For the first time, really looked.
Rachel continued.
“What were you planning to show the capos tonight?”
Silence.
Then Alyssa glanced toward the disconnected gaming console.
May you like
Rachel followed her eyes.
And suddenly Jason’s decision to destroy Ethan’s airplane in front of that expensive setup became much more interesting.
