“Are you done?” she asked, watching Georgia squirm, willing the girl to keep silent.
Oliver reasoned with Paul. “Since she’s alive, maybe we can use her to further solidify your position within the Tribe.”
“Are you fucking mad, boy?” Paul bellowed. “You always have your head in the damn clouds, thinking about how things should be instead of how things are. You never think”—he tapped his finger to his head—“beyond two steps. I shielded you from the serious decisions, boy. I made you Ivy League, gave you a silver spoon, like Americans say, just so you wouldn’t have to work like a dog and achieve nothing like your father, Michael.”
Nena flinched at the mention of her father. Paul should never speak his name.
“She will never accept me, Oliver; she will never rally behind me.”
“If I can get past what happened at N’nkakuwe—” Oliver reasoned, looking at her.
“I sold her,” Paul spat. “I didn’t sell you. That should tell you something.”
She caught the flicker of satisfaction crossing Oliver’s expression. It was like a slap in her face. She didn’t want to believe Oliver was Ofori. No brother of hers would align himself with a man like Paul. Not after watching his brothers slain. And yet . . .
Her eyes narrowed as she looked, really looked, at the man Paul claimed was her brother. As she looked, it was as if his features began to take on those of her parents. She could see it now as she couldn’t before when he’d sat across from her at Elin’s table the night of the dinner party. His lips were her mother’s lips, the heart-shaped ones that used to kiss her tenderly as their mother laid her down to sleep with her Olay scent wafting around her. His nose was her father’s nose, with the structure of his cheekbones.
“It’s not possible,” she whispered, not wanting to believe.
Another step down the staircase. Now, Oliver—Ofori—stalked her like a lion with its prey. She had never dared dream anyone else had survived. She’d watched her village burn. Heard the shots she thought had taken his life. Now her brother was here, walking toward her. Her brother, alive this entire time. Her instincts screamed danger, but her heart wanted nothing but to take him in her arms.
Paul shook Georgia by her head, forcing a cry from her. “Stop your squirming, girl.” He paused, regaining his composure. “Maybe my son has a point. Now that you two know each other, maybe you can be of value to me.”
Ofori’s hands tightened into fists, and he took another step down. He had one more step to go.
Nena spat, “You will never be our father.” How could he believe she’d ever agree to work with him?
“No.” Paul smiled mischievously. “I think you’ve had enough fathers, don’t you? Think of the possibilities with you by my side. As my equal.”
Ofori’s head snapped toward the top of the stairs. “Father!”
Hurt flushed Ofori’s face. She saw in him the son who thought he was never good enough for anyone, not their father, Michael, not even Paul. What a life he must have lived, always trying to be the everything son for a man who cared nothing for him.
She held out a hand to stop him. “Release the girl. She’s got nothing to do with this. Nothing’s gained from hurting her except to bring the American authorities on your head.”
Paul snorted. “And yet you care for the girl and her father.” An observation rather than a question. “Look how far you’ve come to retrieve her. You could have walked away. I tire of this.”
He yanked Georgia slightly, making her yelp. Nena tensed, ready to fly up the stairs. “Put your sister in the holding room and watch her closely until I am ready.” Paul turned on his heel, pushing Georgia in front of him as she fought to break free from his grasp.
Nena could hear Georgia fighting with him all the way down the hall as Ofori slowly approached her with deadened eyes, his hands flexing. She didn’t want to fight. Surely she could reason with him. They were family. They had survived.
“Where is he taking her?”
He didn’t answer.
“You could join us,” she offered.
“Why would I want to?” He grabbed her upper arm.
“You married Elin. You’re already family.”
“I’ll never be family like you. A son-in-law? Her parents only tolerated me for business’s sake.”
She couldn’t object. He spoke the truth.
He pushed her toward the library. “My father gave me a chance. He chose me over you.”