“Not yet.” He stepped into my path. “Someone else has been avoiding me. Dad stood beside Mom and me during the service then he took off. That was the only time I’ve seen him since he accused me of murdering my brothers and tried to kill me. Think maybe he’s feeling bad about that?”

“It was a very difficult situation and—”

“Stuff it, Lucas. Rumor has it he wants to buy me out. Have you heard that?”

“No,” I lied. “Where did you—?”

“I have my sources. They tell me he’s been asking about my debt and my expenses, trying to figure out how much it would take to make me walk away. So how about I help him out with that? I’ll name my price. You give him the message.”

“If you wish.”

“Oh, I do.” He stepped nose-to-nose with me. “Tell our father he doesn’t have enough to buy me off. By Cabal law, I am entitled to a seat on the board and stock shares, and my birthright is not for sale. I’m not going anywhere, baby bro. Maybe you don’t think I pose much of a threat. With Hector and William around, I knew I didn’t stand a chance of sliding into the big seat. But now…” He eased back, teeth bared in a grin. “Now everything’s changed.”

WHEN CARLOS WALKED away, I didn’t follow, but retreated into the room outside Jasper’s cell, returning to his window, watching him.

Jasper had no idea what he’d done.

I had no idea what I’d do about it.

“It doesn’t matter how hard you stare; unless you’ve learned a spell for laser-vision, you can’t make him disappear.”

I turned to see Paige, her face drawn, eyes underscored with dark smudges.

She managed a wan smile. “Still on for lunch?”

“Yes, certainly. I wasn’t sure…I thought you might want to be alone.”

“I don’t. Not anymore.” She stepped up to the one-way glass, looking at Jasper. “I had a lot to think about and you have too much on your plate already.”

I must have looked worried, because she touched my arm.

“We’re okay,” she said. “I’m just…struggling with the choice I made.”

“You didn’t make—”

“Of course I did. I didn’t argue very hard. There was no point. Your dad had made up his mind and if I fought it, I’d only be trying to absolve myself of guilt. If I’d had the choice, would I really have said ‘Oh, no, please send me instead of the convicted murderer’?” She shook her head. “I just wish we hadn’t needed to make that decision. And I have a feeling it’s not going to be the last one.” A small laugh. “I did say I wasn’t going to bother you with it, didn’t I?”

“I’d like to hear—”