Chapter 216

For the first time in Thomas’s life, he realized the media had downplayed the truth. When he read about the explosion, his soul had ripped out of his body. But seeing it in person–it was far worse.

He swallowed as he moved closer. Smoke billowed everywhere, alarms blared, people ran in all directions. It was complete chaos.

“Just stay here,” he said to his guard. “I’m going in.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, he just walked as quickly as he could, finding his way closer to the venue.

Firemen arrived with their trucks, and so did an ambulance with its loud siren. He saw them move to the car ruins and lift someone.

He ran over and approached her cautiously. “Ivy?”

She turned to him, momentarily startled, before he saw brief relief in her eyes.

His chest tightened. “What happened?”

“It’s your fucking wife!” she screamed. “Look what she did to Theresa!”

His heart sank as he saw the paramedics loading an unmoving body into the ambulance.

“Rosie?” he whispered. “How… why?”

“Ask her when you visit her in jail!” Ivy shouted and turned away.

Confusion crept inside him as he watched her rush into Silas’s open arms. The sight made him freeze.

He turned to his brother and his heart sank further as he watched Silas and Ivy get lost in each other’s arms.

Jealousy sprang in his chest–deep and raw, and for the first time, he let it soar.

He couldn’t believe Silas found his happy ending, couldn’t believe it had taken Mason destroying him for that to happen.

The jealousy rose in his chest, and just then, he and Silas’s eyes met.

Silas saw the emotion, Thomas could tell from the way his brother’s brow furrowed. Shame quickly chased the jealousy from his chest, but it was too late.

Silas whispered to Ivy and she nodded. Then he approached Thomas, his eyes blazing, but his voice was firm.

“What are you doing here?”

Thomas stepped back. “I heard the news about… the explosion.”

“If you need to see anyone, visit Rosie in prison. The cops have her now,” Silas said, his jaw tight.

Thomas bit his lip, trying to find the right word. “I… didn’t know she was here.”

“Now you know,” Silas snapped. “Leave me and my wife alone.”

Thomas shoved his hands into his pockets, his cheeks burning with shame. “I’m sorry, Si. For everything.”

Silas didn’t budge. “Just leave.”

Pain settled deep in Thomas’s chest as he turned and dragged himself back to his car. He glanced back to see Silas hugging Ivy again.

He had failed.

Everything he tried to prevent had eventually happened. His brother hated him now.

As he slipped into the car, his driver asked. “Where to, sir?”

“The hotel,” he replied flatly.

The drive was short, but it left him hollow and alone. He knew he should see Rosie, but he was too dejected to face her, too dejected to see her gloat.

She had wanted to ruin the family and she had succeeded.

When they reached the hotel, his mind raced.

Maybe it was time to confess, to surrender. But where would he even start from?

As he opened his hotel room, he froze.

Mateo Cast was sitting on his bed.

“Mateo?”

“I hope you don’t mind. Your guard let me in,” Mateo said, standing.

Thomas frowned. He knew his guards would never let Mateo in his room just like that, but then again, they wouldn’t stand a chance against Mateo’s men.

Where were even Mateo’s men?

“What do you want?” Thomas asked, folding his arms.

“I need to leave the country. I heard Mike is awake. He will help me now.”

Thomas walked to the couch and slumped into it. He was exhausted and he just wanted everything to be over.

“Talk to me, you fucker!” Mateo snapped. “This isn’t the time to be silent. How does Mike do it? He has a secret jet that flies under the radar, I need it. Now!”

Thomas slowly faced him. “It’s over, Mateo. My uncle and I are no longer helping you.”

“You better be fucking joking,” Mateo scoffed. “This isn’t the time for games.”

“Just go away.”

Mateo rushed to him, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him to his feet. Thomas didn’t fight it, if anything, he expected a punch or two.

But Mateo didn’t hit him, he just kept pulling and shouting.

“I’ll ruin you and your family! You have to help me! Where’s the fucking jet?”

“No idea,” Thomas shrugged casually.

Mateo shoved him back to the couch, his eyes burning. “You don’t know who you’re messing with! The feds are after me.”

“Again?” Thomas raised an eyebrow. “I thought you said you settled them after that night."

Mateo rubbed his face and began to pace. “I did! They weren’t supposed to even show up that night, but those stupid agents can’t be trusted. They turned on me when a new agent joined them.”

Thomas didn’t care for the explanation. “Find someone else to bribe then, Mateo.”

Mateo’s eyes flashed with anger. “You think I haven’t tried? Nobody wants to help! I need to get out of San Francisco!”

“Then go.”

Thomas’s eyes widened. “What? Rosie?”

“Oh, that sweet, evil girl,” Mateo said with a wicked grin. “She was dying to work with me, including your calls. I know how much you love her. Help me, or she goes down with us.”

Thomas chuckled. Mateo didn’t know Rosie had been arrested.

“It’s over, Mateo. I and Uncle Mike are done.”

Mateo pushed him to the couch again, this time, he was laughing bitterly.

Thomas frowned, his stomach twisting, “What?”

“You really think Mike is done?” Mateo said through laughter.

“Yes he is!” Thomas replied sharply.

“Then you don’t know him at all.”

Mateo’s tone got to him and he stood up, anxiety surging inside him. “What are you talking about?”

Mateo’s eyes flashed with something dangerous. “Who do you think came to me? Do you think I made the deal?”

Thomas shook his head. “You came to us! You made the deal!”

Mateo sank into the bed, laughing like a maniac. “You’re really gullible like he said.”

Thomas’s stomach dropped as she moved to Mateo. “What do you fucking know?”

Mateo grinned. “He came to me. He begged for my help. He wanted to expand his business to Colombia and I was willing to do that only if he gave me the island.”

Thomas scoffed. “That’s a lie.”

Mateo stood up. “Who do you think told me about the Island in the first place? Who do you think killed your parents so you could take over, and he could control you and indirectly take over the business?”

Thomas staggered back, gasping. “Hell no…”

“Well, I’ve told you the truth,” Mateo said, eyes narrowing. “Now where’s the jet?”

Thomas blinked, heart pounding. Mateo had to be lying. Uncle Mike would never…

But doubt had already taken over.

“The jet, Thomas?”

Thomas fidgeted as he ran out of the room without a response.

No, it was impossible.

He took his car keys and drove himself to the hospital. He couldn’t say how he got there, but he did.

He rushed to Uncle Mike’s room but found doctors attending to him.

“Hey Thomas,” Uncle Mike greeted, smiling warmly.

Thomas stood still, unable to think beyond what he was about to talk about.

When the doctors took longer than he had hoped, he stepped out and dialed 911.

“911, what’s your emergency?” a chirpy female voice asked.

“Mateo Castro is in my hotel,” he said, his words coming out painfully. He gave her his hotel address. “Inform the FBI, he’s a wanted fugitive.”

He ended the call before she had more to say. Just as he tucked his phone into his pocket, the doctors exited the room. They nodded to him as he stepped in.

“Hey, my boy,” Uncle Mike said with a grin “How are you? I haven’t seen you since yesterday.”

Thomas ignored the pleasantries as he moved closer. “Did you contact Mateo in the first place?”

Uncle Mike’s expression darkened. “What are you talking about?”

“Answer me!” Thomas yelled. “Did you do it? Did you… kill my parents?”

Mike’s eyes faltered, but he didn’t say anything.