Philippe lowered his fingers and Rafe snapped, “Why the hell didn’t they tell me?”
“Because they didn’t want you to feel torn over loyalties. I told them that I’m in love with Rafe Varik, and I don’t ever want to come between him and his family.”
“Bastards,” Rafe muttered, though it lacked any real heat.
“They know you, Rafe,” Philippe continued with a little smile. “You would give everything for your family. Your life. Even your happiness to protect them.”
Rafe dropped against the back of the sofa and glared straight ahead, not really seeing anything in his penthouse. He was trying to imagine what Marcus would have said or thought about the information Philippe had given him about the Arsenault clan. But he couldn’t guess.
What would Aiden say?
Even before Aiden’s arrival, they’d never discussed how large they would allow the Varik clan to become. It was no shock that Lola, Ryder, and Gideon had been added. But what about the nine Arsenaults? Doubling the clan again in so short a time would raise a few perfectly sculpted eyebrows on the Ministry. Nolan would see this as a power grab on the Variks’ part.
Oh, fuck! Nolan!
Rafe bolted upright. “Did you hear my voice mail?”
“When?”
“Before I arrived.”
Philippe shook his head and pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I didn’t know you’d called. I—”
“Fuck! You were probably in the elevator at the time. I just came from a meeting with Nolan MacPherson at Blush.”
“Why in the world were you meeting with the MacPherson clan leader?”
“It wasn’t my plan, I promise you that.” Rafe quickly relayed all he’d learned while drinking with Nolan in the booth. Philippe pushed off the sofa and paced the floor in front of the balcony windows, rubbing his hand over his lips again and again.
“Weeding out the Arsenault clan?” Philippe repeated. His face was twisted up like he’d eaten a spoonful of dirt. “Like it’s any of his business who’s a part of the Arsenaults.”
“It is if he wants to swallow up your clan.”
“Fuck him!”
“Considering who among your clan has been killed, I’m inclined to think that the MacPherson clan is behind the murders.”
“Definitely not arguing that.”
“But how would he know who needs to be killed and where to find them when they were at their most vulnerable?”
Philippe stopped sharply and his eyes widened as he looked over at Rafe. His lips parted and the name he spoke sounded almost like a plea. “Ezra.”
“Are you—”
“We have to go! We have to go now! Jullien was going out to feed. I left them all alone with Ezra.” Philippe raced across the room toward the elevators.
Rafe shot up and ran for a nearby bookcase where several swords and knives were on display. There wasn’t time to change out of the hard-soled shoes he was wearing, but at least he’d be armed. He grabbed what he could and charged after Philippe, sliding into the elevator car just as the doors finished opening.
“Are you sure it’s Ezra?” Rafe demanded as they rode to the parking garage.
“Yes. I’m so fucking stupid.”
“Philippe, no—”
“It’s true. When you first brought up that the clan was being betrayed by one of its own members, I didn’t want to believe it. But as time passed, I was able to narrow it down to Ezra and Jullien, though both options broke my heart. I’ve known them the longest. Trusted them more than others.” Philippe shook his head as if forcing aside that line of thought. “They were the only ones strong enough to take care of the others. They were also trusted by everyone.”
“They could get close,” Rafe murmured. “But how are you sure it’s Ezra?”
“He’s complained about additions to our clan recently when he never has before. Said I needed to be more selective, or they were just going to weaken us. When I started to consider an alliance, he pushed the MacPherson clan hard. I didn’t think it was strange at the time because they’re a smart choice. Large and powerful. Who wouldn’t want to be aligned with a clan like that?”
“Anyone who wants a little autonomy,” Rafe muttered.
“Or doesn’t want to live in fear of being slaughtered because he’s not living up to a certain standard,” Philippe added.
“What about the attack with the wolves at the construction site?”
Philippe’s frown deepened. “Had to have been a ruse to throw off any suspicion. Out of all of us, I think he suffered the smallest injuries.” Philippe snarled and clenched his fist. “I’m such a fucking fool. I should have seen it.”
“No.” The doors opened and Rafe moved to stand in the opening, forcing Philippe to face him. “You trusted Ezra, because at one time, he’d earned that trust. You stood by him. He betrayed you. He betrayed all of your clan. He’s to blame. Not you.”
Philippe pressed his forehead to Rafe’s shoulder for a moment and heaved a deep breath that sounded as if it reached down to his toes. “You’re right. Let’s just hope we aren’t too late.”