The shock on his face sucks all the air out of the room.
He didn’t see it. He never saw it, and I’m the one who had to tell him.
“My brother?” His voice cracks and goes up at the end, and I see the little boy inside who worshiped the older brother, the rightful heir, who never really had time for little Jason. Product of a second marriage that didn’t last all that long.
The first time I met Mack Evans, at Harvard, I knew he was evil. I was an undergrad. He was an alumnus brought in as part of the CIA’s recruitment strategy, although I didn’t know it then.
When I found out he’d given seed money to the Horus Group, I knew what my first investigation would be. I had to get inside this organization and expose it for the rot it had to contain.
Instead, I found broken men at a crossroads—and just as I was prepared to reveal who they were, they chose a better path.
And I fell in love.
The second time I met Mack Evans, I thought he didn’t recognize me.
Five years later, I’m realizing I was too naïve for this world.
“He knew who I was,” I say, as gently as I could. “He brought me into the CIA. So when he saw me here…in hindsight, he knew.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He was an associate of Gerome Lively.”
“No.”
“Yes. It will all come out, one way or another.” I hope so, anyway. Mack’s a loose cannon now. It’s possible he’s going to try to take me down with him. But I’m not the only one who knows about the incriminating documents Lively stored—and I am more convinced than ever that Mack is the one who inherited that stash. “And he wants the PRISM council seat.”
Jason shakes his head. “No. He’s…he’s…”
I grimace. “Angling for a role in this President’s administration? A sinking ship? Does that sound right to you?”
“Fuck.”
“It doesn’t sound right because it’s not right. It’s spin, designed to cover up his real power move. Another four years, and he’s going to be running for President. And you don’t know that because he keeps you in the dark.”
“And you, a journalist who has hid on the west coast for five years, knows this…how, exactly?”
I swallow hard. “I have a source. One very close to international intelligence agencies. Canada is going to call for the United Nations to form a criminal tribunal to investigate PRISM. Mack is one of the targets of that investigation.”
Jason doesn’t move. His hands ball up into fists at his side, his knuckles turning white. “How do you know?”
“Because I know.”
“Canada is an active participant in PRISM’s leadership summit. Every year, consistently. This year the Prime Minister’s principal secretary will attend—”
“No.” I shake my head. “He’ll go to New York at the last minute. The resolution will pass while those who would object are distracted.”
“Jesus.”
“I’m not lying to you.”
“I want to believe you.” But he doesn’t yet. Fair is fair. It’s going to take some time to sink in. He stands there for a long time, the silence pulsing between us. Finally, his shoulders sag. “How long have you known?”
“Since before I met you.”
“He was always the target.” Jason’s jaw flexes hard, his lips white with tension. “And I was a means to the end.”
“Yes.” I owe him the truth, however brutal it may be.
“So what happened? Why no great takedown?”
“It’s easier said than done.” I pause. “And you were trying. I thought you all might actually get somewhere. But they’re more powerful than we ever will be.”
“And I was just a pawn in their game.”
“We’re all pawns,” I say as gently as possible. “There is no such thing as a good billionaire, Jason. Not even when they’re related to you by blood.”
“Blood means nothing,” he growls, a rough, angry burst of three words that feel like an entire saga sharpened to a point.
“You have something more important than blood bonds. You have real brothers here.” I gesture to the empty hallway behind us. The men who left us alone without question. “They trust you. They will help you here.”
“I don’t know what to do with this.” His voice has lost its rough edge now. He sounds hollow. Rung out.
“I’m sorry.”
“You should have told me sooner.”
“Would you have believed me? I don’t think anyone in the USINT community believes this yet. There’s a real rift in the Five Eyes Alliance, Jason. And it’s not like I’ve known all of this for very long myself.”
“Your source—is it the Canadian guy?”
“I can’t reveal my sources. Not even to you.”
“He didn’t like me. Mack set up my sit down with him.” Jason laughs, and it’s so hard and brittle it hurts my ears. “Fucking douchebag. Fucking asshole motherfucker. Fuck—” He stops and looks at me. “You don’t think US intelligence is taking this seriously?”
“Not enough to publish it as a story, but…that’s what the rumors are, yeah.”
He grabs me by the shoulders. “This conversation isn’t over.”
“I—”
He crushes his mouth to mine. “I love you, you filthy liar. I love you when I don’t even know who you are. I love you when you hate me. I love you when I hate myself. I have to—I have to try to fix this—but I want you to be safe and sound when I get back.”
My mouth falls open as he darts into the hallway, yelling for Wilson. They all come running. No no no, I need time to stop while Jason explains to me what the hell he means by saying all of that and then turning on his heel and leaving.
“I don’t have time to explain everything. Who can come with me to the White House? Tag? You think Kendra can join us? We just need to get to someone on the National Security Council.”
“On it.” Tag pulls out his phone.
“Wilson, Ellie can explain why, but just know, I do believe her. I trust her. We need to pull Mack’s chain. Shut down whatever you can.”
“Mack? Your brother?” Wilson doesn’t blink. “Got it.”
“Cole…” Jason grabs his best friend and points at me. “Sit on her.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I protest.
“That is exactly what you would say right before you tried to duck out and save the world all on your lonesome. Stay where he can see you.”