Of my three half-brothers, I get along best with William, which is not to say he was going to invite Paige and me to Sunday dinner anytime soon, but he’d never tried to kill me—a sign of resignation, if not acceptance. On the elevator, I asked after his wife and infant son. Another nephew whom I suspected I’d never meet. Hector’s two boys—now teenagers—didn’t even know they had an Uncle Lucas. When they were younger, I’d send birthday and Christmas gifts, but after a few years of having them returned, I’d realized to continue would be mere stubbornness…and an expenditure I could ill afford.

Once off the elevator, aware that others could be watching, William struggled to show a polite return interest in my life by asking about Savannah’s educational plans.

“Well, well, well,” a voice sang out behind us. “If it isn’t the geek crusader. What horrible crime have we committed this time?” Carlos slid past me, planted himself in my path and held out his wrist. “Here, baby brother, get it over with.”

“Hello, Carlos.”

He made a show of looking around. “Where’s the little witch? Is it just my imagination, or do you lock her away whenever I’m around?”

“She’s otherwise occupied this evening, but I’m sure you’ll see her later.”

He flashed his teeth. “Oh, I’ll make sure of it.”

I tensed, but tried not to show it. Let Carlos know he’d struck a nerve and he’d never let up. Paige always repelled his attentions, but with Carlos, rejection only served to whet his appetite.

“If you’ll excuse me, William, Carlos—”

My father’s office door opened and Hector came out.

When my eldest brother steps into a room, the hairs on my neck rise and icy dread settles into the pit of my stomach. William and Carlos dislike me, but Hector hates me—a hatred so pure it vibrates between us. Can I blame him? He’s the oldest son. He’s been a hardworking, vital part of the Cabal since before I was born. Yet he has to suffer the humiliation of my father pretending he’ll hand the business to me.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Hector advanced. He’s at least four inches shorter than me, but it took all I had not to shrink back.

“Got your bags packed, Hector?” Carlos said. “Because I think you’re about to be sent on a little trip.”

“Lucas.”

I tore my gaze from Hector as my father brushed past him to embrace me. Even as I returned the hug, he started pummeling me with questions. Where was Paige? When did we arrive? How was our flight?

My brothers might as well have been invisible. The temperature around us seemed to plummet, but my father was oblivious. He ushered me into his office, still asking questions.