Deviant (Boys of Winter #3) - Sheridan Anne Page 0,97

in my seat, watching Cruz’s father, and only now realize just how far the apple fell from the tree. “I’m sorry,” I say, not looking away for even a second. “I wasn’t looking for approval. Filling you in on our plans was a courtesy, not a question. Dynasty is going to be on the right side of history, and I suggest that you all get on board with that.”

His eyes narrow, and it’s more than clear that he doesn’t approve of my authority on this, but he doesn’t have a leg to stand on, nor is he willing to speak up about it again and risk ending up on my shit list. After all, people on my shit list have a way of ending up in shallow graves.

Harlen Beckett shifts in his seat. “Was that all for tonight?”

I let out a sigh. I had wanted to discuss the empty seats at the table and what’s going to happen to them, but after everything else that’s gone down today, I just want to go and get back in my bed … or at least one of the guys’ beds seeing as though my room needs to be torched after Sara destroyed it.

With the eyes of every man in the room on me, I nod. “Yes, that is all,” I tell them. “We will schedule another meeting once we know a little more on the Paris situation. You may all be excused.”

And just like that, the meeting is over and the heads of Dynasty quickly make their way out of the room, leaving me with King and Carver, both staring at me with a heaviness that quickly weighs down on my shoulders.

I’ve played the role of judge and jury tonight and now all that’s left is to become the executioner.

CHAPTER 24

Brynn Harding’s hand slaps across her husband’s face with such ferocity that his head whips back under the pressure. She spits at his feet and growls, her heart breaking before my eyes. “Don’t be fooled, you sick son of a bitch. I will not mourn you, I will spit on your lonely grave, and my children will never remember your name. You’re nothing to me, not anymore. It was all a lie. Fifteen years of marriage and this is how you repay me.”

“Brynn—”

“Don’t,” she growls, holding her hand up to cut him off. “Everything we worked for, everything we built is all gone. Dynasty owns me, my home, our money. It’s all theirs, and without you as the head of our family, I have nothing. You’ve destroyed me. Our children won’t be able to afford to eat, won’t have clothes on their backs. You did this. You took from me and you stole from your children. I hate you, Michael Harding, and I hope you rot in the deepest pits of hell.”

“Dynasty will provide for you. The children will be okay. You can’t run. You have to stay and keep fighting for what we believe in. You’re all I’ve got in this world. Stand with Paris,” Michael urges her. “She will be generous to my family for everything I have done for her.”

Brynn’s eyes bug out of her head, horrified by the suggestion of having anything to do with her husband’s mistress. “Do you honestly think I can stay here after what you have done? You have disgraced my name. You have embarrassed me. What am I supposed to do now?”

“I have money hidden in the safe. You can have that.”

Brynn steps up to her husband, tears fresh in her eyes. “I will make it on my own without your dirty money. I don’t want it.” She holds up her hand and rips her wedding rings right off her fingers before throwing them at him, though if it was me, I would have kept them to pawn for cash. “Screw you and screw this marriage.”

Brynn turns and steps toward the door with her head held high, and as I watch her move, I see nothing but pure embarrassment, pain, and devastation in her eyes. She was completely blindsided by this. She had absolutely no idea and now she’s left with nothing.

I didn’t realize that each family’s wealth is dependent upon Dynasty and the urge to look out for her pulses through me, but I can’t think about that yet. I have a job to do.

I stand beside the open door, leaning against the wall and watching as Michael hangs by his cuffs above his head. He looks broken. His wife’s words have