Samantha's POV
Alex's comments hung in the air between us, cooler than the room's steel walls. Stopped, my breath caught in my throat as I attempted to understand what he had just said. Though he didn't want me dead—that was something—saving me would mean betraying Jared. The worst of all is also He questioned his own willingness to do that.
I had tried for years to believe Alex had a component I could reach—a piece of the brother I used to know before ambition and power twisted him. Now, though, I wasn't sure if that piece even existed anymore as I stood in this frigid room with the weight of his treachery crushing me.
I said, "Alex," walking toward him, "this isn't just about me. Like he uses everyone, Jared will use you. He will throw you when your time has run out. You were aware o
