Chapter 12: The Truth About the Betrayal
Marcus looked different without his helmet.
Without the club colors.
Without the smile he wore around everyone.
For the first time, I saw him clearly.
Not as my vice president.
Not as my brother.
As a stranger.
Nia stepped behind me.
That told me everything.
She was afraid of him.
“Marcus.””
My voice was low.
He smiled.
“Bear.””
“How?””
He looked around.
“You always ask the wrong question.””
I clenched my jaw.
“Then answer the right one.””
Marcus waited.
“Why?””
His smile faded.
“Because someone had to.””
I stared.
“What does that mean?””
He walked into the room.
“You built something powerful.””
“The club?””
He nodded.
“But power attracts chaos.””
He looked at Nia.
“She understood that.””
Nia’s face hardened.
“No. I understood you were destroying it.””
Marcus laughed.
“There she is.””
He looked back at me.
“Your sister was always too smart.””
I stepped forward.
“What did you do?””
Marcus didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he looked at me.
“Do you remember when your father died?””
The question hit unexpectedly.
My expression changed.
Marcus noticed.
“You thought it was random.””
I felt my stomach drop.
“What are you saying?””
“I’m saying your father wasn’t killed by strangers.””
The room went silent.
Nia closed her eyes.
She knew.
I looked at Marcus.
“You know who did it?””
“I know everything.””
My fists tightened.
“Tell me.””
Marcus smiled sadly.
“Your father trusted the wrong people too.””
“Who?””
Marcus looked at me.
“People who wanted what he built.””
I stepped closer.
“And you?””
He didn’t move.
“I wanted to protect it.””
“By betraying me?””
“No.””
His voice became sharp.
“By controlling it.””
The honesty was worse than a lie.
“You manipulated everything.””
“Yes.””
The word shocked me.
Marcus continued.
“I created conflicts before they became wars.””
“I made you suspicious.””
“Yes.””
“I lost people because of you.””
His expression changed slightly.
“Because of me, you survived.””
I shook my head.
“You actually believe that.””
“I know that.””
Nia stepped forward.
“You don’t protect people by taking away their choices.””
Marcus looked at her.
“And you don’t save people by running away.””
The two stared at each other.
Years of hatred between them.
Years of secrets.
I looked at Nia.
“You knew he was doing this?””
She nodded.
“I discovered it too late.””
“And Cole?””
Her face softened.
“Cole tried to help me expose him.””
I looked down.
The truth finally started connecting.
Cole wasn’t hiding Nia from me.
He was hiding her from Marcus.
Marcus saw my expression.
“You’re finally understanding.””
I looked at him.
“You framed Cole.””
He smiled.
“Easier than framing someone else.””
“Why?””
“Because Cole was loyal.””
The answer confused me.
“Loyal?””
“Yes.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“People trust loyal men.””
A cold silence followed.
Then my phone buzzed.
Everyone froze.
A message.
From Cole.
I opened it.
Three words.
“Bear, run.””
I looked up.
Marcus saw my face.
And smiled.
Too late.
The warehouse doors behind us slammed shut.
Nia grabbed my arm.
“Bear.””
Marcus stepped backward.
“I’m sorry.””
But he didn’t look sorry.
He looked relieved.
Because suddenly I understood.
Marcus hadn’t brought me here to explain.
He had brought me here to trap me.
May you like
And somewhere outside…
Cole was trying to stop him alone.
