Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 72756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
My chest tightens until it hurts. “You're a monster.”
“You're not the first to tell me that. I've come to terms with it. Now, here are two options. I hope you're listening carefully.” He pulls on a glove and picks up a syringe, waving it like a wand.
“I'm listening.”
“On the desk behind you are some documents, including a legal contract that relinquishes any claim you might have on your father’s estate or the Hall of Grace.” He holds the syringe up. “Sign it, and I'll give you this. He’ll start recovering almost immediately.”
“There's no way that's legally binding.” I'm not exactly a lawyer, but this seems crazy. “It won't count.”
“Of course it will. That's the beauty of money. If you have enough of it, you can always find someone willing to approve anything, and once that's done, it's all formality. It won't even occur to anyone that it might not be valid, not after everything you’ve done recently. You’ve made it perfectly clear in front of witnesses and even cameras which side you’re on.” He looks very pleased with himself.”
“That's not a choice.”
“Of course it is. What happens next is entirely up to you. Refusing would kill your father, but that’s the price of stubbornness.” He holds his hands out like he's being reasonable
I can’t let my dad die. Grayson’s right. I hate him, but I couldn’t let it happen to anyone if I had a way to stop it. There’s no way to bring the guys in here and deal with him so I can get that syringe off him, but if I just play along for now, I can save my father and we'll be able to stop Grayson after. He’s acting like a cornered animal, not thinking things through. There’s no way this is going to work out the way he thinks.
“Fine. I'll sign.”
“I thought you might.” He holds out his hand. “Your phone. I can't have you trying to make a mess of things. You'll get it back when everything's in place.”
I don't really have a choice. I pull it out and hand it to him, trying not to grimace as he drops it into his pocket.
“Good. Now, don't let me delay you. The sooner you get your signature on there, the sooner you get the syringe.”
Dad groans quietly, as if there wasn't enough pressure already.
There are three copies, stacked but staggered with the signature line visible to make it easy for me to sign without moving them. I check each one anyway, just to make sure I'm not getting tricked into signing something else as well, but no, it's just some dry sounding estate planning. I don't understand how he's planning to keep this up afterwards.
“There. Signed.”
“Excellent. Here.” He hands me the syringe, and I waste no time getting over to Dad. I'm no nurse, but I’ve done plenty of nursing recently for Vivian. I know how to set a shot. I stick it in and press the plunger. Watching the liquid disappear is one of the most terrifying things I've watched in my life.
“How long does it take to work?”
“Oh, not long. A moment, I just have to make a phone call about these papers.” He picks them up off the desk, then leaves the bedroom as he pulls his phone out. There's a click as he locks the door, leaving me to hold Dad's hand. He's looking at me through hooded lids, but speaking seems too hard for him.
“Don't worry, Dad. It'll be better soon.”
Only, he doesn't seem to be improving. His slow breathing only slows down further. His eyelids slide shut and even lying down, I see it when his body goes completely slack.
And then his breathing stops.
Oh no.
No no no.
“Help!” I shake his shoulder, but he's limp as a rag doll. “Oh no. Help!” I jump from the bed and run to the door, hammering on it to get Grayson's attention. Anyone's attention.
And then I realize it. Grayson set me up.
I just killed my own father.
I hammer on the door again. He can't just leave me in here with… with myself.
There's no answer. How long has it been? I look out the windows and see Preacher, Crash and Devil fighting with guards outside to come in. I’m on the third floor. There’s no glorious escape waiting if I jump out this window.
And then there are sirens.
Police?
What's happening?
Less than a minute later, the door slams open and before I even get a word out, two officers head right for me and grab me roughly. One of them forces my hands behind my back.
“Wait! What are you doing?”
“Oh! Oh God! I thought it was just threats. I didn’t believe she’d actually do it!” Grayson cries from the hallway, pushing past us to fall to his knees by my father’s bed.
“It was him!” I scream as the handcuffs click into place.