And I’m empty-handed.

“No way in hell. I’d rather burn. And even if I did, no one would believe I’d leave you everything. They all know me—and you—better than that.”

Harrison’s arm straightens and he lowers the gun. But instead of putting it down, a shot cracks and Commodore yelps in pain, clutching his leg with his good hand.

“You motherfucking, piss-ant piece of shit! You shot me!”

My grandfather sags forward in his power chair, and more than anything right now, I wish I had a gun.

My brother shot my grandfather and his dog.

“You should’ve listened to me. You shouldn’t have been such a bastard to my mother. You know what? She’d be clapping right now and cheering me on. She hated you too. And not to have a funeral for her? What kind of dick move is that? She deserved better, you asshole. She deserved the best. You insulted her in life and in death, and now I’m going to take my revenge and hers.”

My brother sounds like a demented movie villain, and I step away from the door, intent on getting to the study where the gun safe is located. But I step on a board that creaks, and both men’s heads whip in my direction.

“Oh . . . this is too perfect. I don’t even have to come looking for you. I can take out two for the price of one.” The barrel of Harrison’s gun levels on me. “I’ve been waiting for you to come rushing in like the hero you think you are. I heard the fucking helicopter. Couldn’t miss your grand entrance. Why don’t you step right inside, big brother? After all, this affects you too. Not that it’s going to matter that you won’t be inheriting shit, because you’re going to die now too.”

He drops his gaze to Commodore. “If you don’t sign that goddamn paper, I’m going to kill him right in front of you, and I hope you enjoy watching your golden boy bleed out next to your damn dog.”

Commodore’s sharp brown gaze bores into me. “Run.”

Harrison lashes out, pistol-whipping him in the temple. The old man’s head drops forward and his body goes limp.

“What the fuck are you doing, Harrison?”

My brother’s smile turns evil. “Getting what I deserve. I’ve waited long enough, and I’m done. If there’s one thing I learned from you and the old man, it’s that you have to go after what you want. You can’t sit around and wait for it to come to you.”

“Call 911, right the fuck now. Commodore needs paramedics.”

Harrison laughs. “Nah, he’s not dying. Not until he signs his brand-new will that leaves everything to the oldest surviving descendant.” Harrison’s gaze turns bright and shiny. “Which will be me, as soon as you’re out of the way. Sorry, brother, but this was never going to end well for you.”

“Are you fucking insane? What the hell is wrong with you?” I snap out the questions, and I’m dead serious. There’s nothing about Harrison’s actions that include even a hint of sanity.