Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 108656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Drake didn’t know if he should trust what she was saying. “What does this mean?”
His mother laughed. “It means, my sweet little boy. Your father is not your father. He’s your brother.”
Drake couldn’t believe it but why would she have any reason to lie to him? “No, it’s not true.”
“Oh, it is. I couldn’t divorce your father. We’re a powerful couple and hearing the unfortunate news of his inability to father a child, well, your grandfather wasn’t going to stand for that. So we made sure this company wouldn’t be in the hands of just anyone. No, it would be a son of his, and he’d be around as long as he could to guide that son, but he did have a heart attack, and well, die. Your father has been doing the best he could ever since.”
“There’s no way you could have kept this secret. Not from prying eyes. You had to have known the mistake you were making.”
“I didn’t have to deal with anything other than giving birth to you. It was my only job to do. Last I heard, the doctor who knew the truth met a very sad ending. He ate rat poison or something like that. Died painfully. There was nothing that could be done. No one could help him and he was all alone when it happened. He did die a rich man, though. So sad.”
“You killed him.”
“I didn’t do anything of the sort. Your grandfather took care of everything. You were snooping for a reason. There’s nothing to stop us. No proof. You, dear boy, are turning into a pain. Do you know what we do with pains?”
Drake got to his feet. “I don’t care what you do. There’s nothing you can do to me. You both need me more than I need you.”
His mother snorted. “You really believe that?”
“Yes, otherwise you’d have gotten rid of me long ago and thought of the payout long before now.”
“Okay. You do have a valid point. You’re right. For the most part, you are safe and sound. You see, the thing is, Drake, you have a weakness and it’s that weakness you show off that will get you killed.”
“I don’t have a weakness.”
“Your poor girl who lives not too far from here. You really think we need to hurt you, when all it will take is striking out at her and her parents? They have no way of protecting themselves. No money and so much debt. We could make their lives even worse.”
He wanted to slap her. To lash out and strike her face, to scare her. To do anything so she would be afraid of him. “What do you want?”
“You see? That wasn’t so hard now was it? One day you’ll see it’s going to be easier to just do as you’re told. I did.”
“I never want to be part of this, or you.”
“Son, you’re already part of it. There is no getting away from who you are, or what one day you’re going to be capable of. You think we’re bad, but believe me, there are far worse people out there, willing to do far worse than us. We’re like little puppies in the market.”
“I doubt that. Stop dawdling. Tell me what you want.”
“It’s simple. Turn your back on her and never look at her again. It’s not hard to do.”
“I love her.” He didn’t beg or plead. Simply stated a fact. His feelings for Pru were love.
“Aw, it’s so cute. How you think you’ve got feelings. There will be plenty of cunts along the way to keep you occupied, some who actually have experience in sucking a cock. Now, stop being a dick, get yourself together, and get the fuck out of my room. You’re never going to find anything. Not here, not anywhere, so stop snooping.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hopeless
Pru stayed home for the rest of the week. Her parents refused to talk to her and she was fine with that. The more she allowed herself to think of their intervention at the beach house, the angrier she got with them.
She was supposed to be their daughter, and rather than protect her, they were more than happy to step aside while those vile people spread their hatred at her. Sean came to visit her, but she ignored him. He brought her homework, which she always did when he was watching her.
He tried to talk to her, and after a couple of hours each night, he would finally get the picture and leave. Without her cell phone, she wasn’t able to call Drake, and he still hadn’t come to see her. No late-night visits. She stared out the window, looking across the street, but saw no signs of him waiting for her.
With her bag on her shoulder, she walked downstairs, ignoring her parents, just like they were doing with her. Two could play that game. She grabbed a couple of slices of toast with no butter or jam and left.