Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“I don’t have to fucking rape them to get them to fear me.”
He slams his hands on his desk, scattering several documents to the floor. “Why don’t you ask your brother-in-law, Falcon Bellamy, about how many prisoners he fucked while he was in the slammer?”
I draw a breath and count to ten. I know my brother-in-law. I know he didn’t do anything like that. In fact, he protected his men from it. He ruled his cell block the same way I’ll rule this family. Through strength. Perceived strength.
“Say what you want about Falcon,” I say. “I know the truth.”
“You don’t think he got his rocks off with any of those pretty boys?” A small grin cracks under his stony stare. “Surely you’re not that ignorant.”
“I’m not ignorant,” I say. “Let me tell you this, Grandfather. The next time you violate anyone—and I mean anyone—I’ll fucking murder you in your sleep.”
He laughs then—a deep guttural laugh. “Damn, Vinnie. You might just have what it takes after all.”
He has no fucking idea. “Just get on with it. Tell me what I have to do to prove myself so you’ll step down. Who do I have to off?”
He laughs again. “You think it’s that simple?”
“Tell me, then.” I slowly sink into one of the chairs across his desk. “I admit I’ve been away for a long time. Tell me what I have to do to gain your trust and take over. As long as it doesn’t entail shoving anything up anyone’s ass, I’ll do it.”
“What if I tell you to kill someone?’
This time I laugh. How naïve does he think I am? Of course he’s going to tell me to kill someone. I expected that. All I need to know is who. A fucking name.
“Something funny?” he asks.
“You are. Who do you think you’re talking to, old man? I may have been gone for over a decade, but I know how this shit works.”
“Call it shit again, and I’ll give it back to your father.”
“You think he can run a family from prison?”
“He doesn’t need to stay in prison. I can have him out by tomorrow if I want to.”
I have no doubt that he’s telling the truth. My father killed Miles McAllister to save Falcon for Savannah. I never knew the depth of love my father had for his children until I saw him do that. Too bad he couldn’t have offed Mario here and saved Michael and me as well.
I hate thinking about Michael, or Mikey, as Sav and I used to call him. He was a kind and gentle soul, and I blame myself for his death. I was a kid of eighteen when I got the fuck out of here. I didn’t think about my younger brother, didn’t think about the fact that he was next in line.
Didn’t think about what Grandfather would do to him. The same thing he did to me.
I fled.
And during all that time, there wasn’t a minute that went by that my guilt didn’t consume me.
“Don’t insult my intelligence,” I say. “You’re just as glad to have my father in prison. He was a placeholder, and you and I both know it. I’m back now. I’m the true heir to this damned throne of yours, so tell me what I need to do. Quit beating around the bush. I want to get on with it.”
“How much do you love your sister?” he asks.
“More than you’ll ever know.”
“You underestimate me, Vincent.” He takes a deep breath in, tenting his fingers. “You think that because of what I do, I have no love for my family. That’s simply not true.”
“Raping me with a billy club was your way of showing love?” I scoff.
He doesn’t react. “Yes, in my way.”
“Bullshit.” I get back on my feet. “You were exerting power over me. Showing me violence.”
Grandfather shrugs. “That’s what makes you strong.”
“I disagree. Look at Mikey.”
He frowns. “He was weak.”
“He was what you made him. You forced him into a marriage he didn’t want. Just like you’re forcing me.” I feel nausea curling up my throat, but I force it down. “My only consolation is that my intended is only eleven years old, so at least I don’t have to marry her this second.”
“True. You’ve got seven years to sow your wild oats, Vincent.” He gazes out the window onto the bustling streets of Austin. “Unless you sowed them all out of the country.”
“I sowed plenty,” I say. “Once I’m married, I will be faithful to my wife.”
Grandfather scoffs again. “No one is ever faithful to his wife.”
“I’m sure you weren’t.”
“Of course I wasn’t. Neither was your esteemed father.”
He may be right. I don’t know. My mother and father’s marriage was arranged. He may well have been unfaithful to her. But one thing I do know. Despite the fact that he allowed Grandfather to violate me and probably Mikey, and despite the fact that he was going to force Savannah into marriage to Miles McAllister, he does love his children. All three of us. Of that I’m certain.