Nikolai recognized from childhood—the sound that always preceded his brother's most destructive impulses. "You handed her over to my brother. You signed her death certificate the moment that happened. Alex was never going to be safe."
Nikolai forced his voice to remain steady, buying time as he surreptitiously activated his phone in his pocket. "And is that what you planned all along? To start a war that you hoped would erupt between us?"
A smile spread across Phillip's face—the same expression he'd worn as a teenager when setting fire to their father's prized collection of first-edition books. "I did my research. I knew Liam wouldn't let Alex's death slide. He'd get to the bottom of it, and I always intended to let it lead back to you, brother." He spat the last word like poison. "The f
