sit across from my father. I don’t know what game he’s playing, but whatever it is, I’m ready. He doesn’t realize how strong I am, how much pain I can endure. When you lose a child, nothing affects you anymore.
My father smiles at Corbin. “It’s good to see you again, Corbin. I’m glad she brought you instead of that schmuck she’s married to.”
Corbin stares my father down. I’m happy to see for a fact that Corbin is on my side in this.
“Why?” I ask, knowing it’s the only question I care to know before I kill this man.
“Why? I built an empire. One grander than the one your husband belongs to. Mine is more secretive, more dangerous. It has made me a very wealthy man. I had plans to pass it on to my son, but then I had a daughter. Your mother wasn’t strong enough to have another. So I looked elsewhere. It turns out, I took an injury to the groin that left it impossible for me to have kids either. That left you as my only option.” He snorts, laughing at the ridiculous idea of depending on little, pathetic me.
He’s right. It is ridiculous. If I took over his empire, I’d just purposefully burn it to the ground.
“You’re weak, just like your mother. I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on you and watched you play with the boy across the street. I knew who he’d grow up to be—our enemy. And I knew you wouldn’t see it that way. So I ensured he stayed away, that he hated you. But I should have killed the bastard when he was a kid.”
I want to jump out of my chair and attack my father, but Corbin slips a hand onto my thigh, steadying me. I know I’ll have an opportunity to kill this man; I just need to bide my time.
“And then you got pregnant.”
“I didn’t get pregnant like a horny teenager who didn’t know how to use a condom. I was raped.”
“I know. I was thankful that the father of your children wouldn’t be that boy from across the street. Your children would still be of the blood of my enemy, though.”
Our eyes lock in a battle. I’m going to kill you, my eyes say.
I already destroyed you, his eyes say in return.
“So I had Corbin take your son so I could raise him and prepare him to take over my empire.”
“Where is Declan?” I ask.
My father smiles. “He’s safe. He’s already turning into quite the young boy. I have every confidence that he’s strong enough to take my place.”
“That’s because you brainwashed him.”
“No, it’s because he’s strong.”
“Why send me the note? Why fake your death? Why have me seek out my son?”
“That’s the question, isn’t it?”
I frown. He’s not going to tell me.
“What do you want from me? I’ll give you whatever you want. You want money; I’ll give you money. You want my body; you can have it. You want my soul; it’s yours. You want to watch me burn; I’ll tie myself to the stake. Just release my son.”
“But you haven’t played the final game yet. I can’t just give you Declan. You have to earn him. And since you brought Corbin instead of your husband, I’ll let you play.”
I stiffen in my seat. All of my rage floods my heart. I’m ready to play whatever stupid game he has planned. I wasn’t bluffing earlier; I’ll do whatever it takes to get him back.
“I’m putting my money on you losing, though. You can’t get Declan back while you still love that man. Love is weak. You’re weak. And soon, you’re going to realize it too.”
9
Langston
I open my eyes, but I wish I was still asleep. My head is pounding, my mouth is dryer than a desert, and the light in the room is irritating my eyes.
And then I remember.
“Liesel!” I yell. I try to jump up, but my arms are still tied to the bed.
“Woah, easy there. You don’t want to cause more damage,” Maxwell says.
I stare at him.
“Where is she? What happened?”
“I presume she’s fine, and she’s with Corbin going after her father. After I dragged Corbin’s lifeless body out of this room and into mine, he attacked me. I’m strong, but Corbin has always been the better fighter. Plus, he had the element of surprise. He knocked me out, tied me to the bed, and drugged me. I woke up about an hour ago.”
“You’ve been awake for an hour? Does