Aaron said stiffly, "I've more than fulfilled my responsibilities to this company. Our productivity and stock prices have risen over thirty percent since I became vice president. We're expanding into three different countries. I don't need a business marriage to make these contributions."

Alistair looked as if he wanted to protest, but couldn't formulate a valid argument. His son had accomplished more for the company in the past four years than he had, and he knew it. He was a traditional man, trapped in an outdated mindset.

He had prioritized carrying on his bloodline, destroying an innocent woman in the process (though not entirely innocent; she had been involved with a married man, but that didn't warrant death). He had also killed his grandchild and abandoned one son while forcing another into becoming his mindless clone. It sickened Aaron. This man deserved everything coming to him.

"If that's all you have to say, I'll be going," Aaron said crisply, turning to leave.

His father knew his control was slipping. Aaron felt the brewing storm behind the closed door, but Alistair was powerless.

Back in his office, he leaned back in his chair, exhausted. He hated dealing with his father. Thankfully, that wouldn't be a problem for much longer.

Aaron's desk phone rang. "Aaron Hale," he answered dully.

Gray's silky voice purred, "Dear me, baby brother, you sound dreadful."

"How did you get my office number?"

Gray didn't answer directly. "You weren't answering your cell, and I wanted to chat."

"About what? I have work, and I assume you do too."

"I'm on a coffee run. The line's long, and I wanted to know how my favorite niece and nephew are doing."

"They're your only niece and nephew," Aaron corrected. "And they're fine. I sound dreadful because they kept me up half the night."

"And my sister-in-law?"

"She's tired too."

"I hear Lacy Knighton's been stalking your building. She's been thrown out—what, fourteen times?" Gray asked, his tone suggesting the answer was inconsequential.

This man had informants everywhere. Aaron was grateful Gray wasn't his enemy; he'd be a formidable opponent.

"Something like that. Your sources are as accurate as ever. Did you call just to discuss this?"

"I was curious if you had a plan to get rid of her. I notice you haven't acted on those shares yet, after all I did to help you. Tsk tsk."

Aaron's voice hardened. "It's a work in progress. She hasn't done anything illegal I can prove."

"Unfortunately, true. She's a ticking time bomb. Wouldn't it be convenient if she just… disappeared?" Gray mused.

Aaron snorted. "I wish."

He'd ship her to Siberia if he could get away with it, but morally, he couldn't. Keeley would hate it.

"Give my best to your wife. We should get together soon."

The line clicked. Aaron replaced the phone. He didn't understand his half-brother. He'd tracked down his office number for a conversation lasting less than five minutes.

Gray knew what he had to do. Aaron and Keeley were stressed. Their babies were in danger. They were his only remaining family. He couldn't let Lacy Knighton hurt them. She had to die. The question was how. He lacked underworld connections, despite his hacking skills.

He needed to hire someone to eliminate her on his brother's behalf. Aaron had gone soft; he couldn't do it himself, but Gray didn't blame him.

He was happy Aaron had found love and could live a normal life. He would kill Lacy himself if he didn't know Aaron would never forgive a murderer being near his children, even a well-intentioned one. He needed to make it look like an accident.

Car accidents happened frequently, but he wanted to avoid other casualties. A secluded back street would be too suspicious.

He needed to orchestrate a fatal accident in a populated area without harming anyone else. He'd heard of accidents where one driver escaped unscathed while the other died.

Lacy didn't have to die. Becoming incapacitated—a vegetable or paraplegic—would suffice, as long as she couldn't threaten Aaron's family.

Investigating his options would take time. He hoped she wouldn't discover the truth. Aaron's paranoia might keep his wife housebound until this was resolved.

But it had to be done. Gray might have acted even without caring for his brother, simply because Lacy annoyed him. She'd called him after his conversation with Aaron, gloating about his broken engagement.

Even if Aaron wasn't secretly married, he'd never accept Lacy. She couldn't take a hint.

Fourteen evictions weren't enough to deter her? What fantasy world did she inhabit?

After hanging up, he grinned wickedly. "Your days are numbered, Lacy Knighton," he said aloud.

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