The Entitled (The Entitled Duet #1) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,75
feel tears. That’s all he can give me. I look down at my boots. I won’t ever allow him to see how his words hurt me.
“Why the transformation?” His question surprises me enough to answer truthfully.
“I needed to change.”
“I hate it.”
I snort. “I did it for me, not you.”
He looks out his window, almost like it pains him to look at me. “Tess…” His fists clench, then unclench. “I know I haven’t been the father you wanted and that you blame me for your breakup with Reed.”
“Well, you di—”
He holds up his hand. “Let me finish. I may not express myself the way you want. But I did what I believe is best for you. You are my child, like it or not.”
My eyes search his. Blue on blue, a flicker of something. A moment paces between us. Then it’s gone.
He coughs and straightens himself. “I can’t tell you what to do, but I do control your money. So, behave the way I expect, and you will be a very rich woman.”
I must look stunned because he pours himself a drink.
“Do you want one?” He holds up his glass.
I open my mouth and close it. Is he threatening me with my inheritance again?
“Yes.”
He pours the brown liquor into a tumbler and hands it to me. I look down at it, the smoky, spicy aroma making my nose twitch.
“Can I ask you something?”
His eyes narrow. “Sure.”
“Why did you bring me here? You and Mom have made it painfully obvious that I’m nothing but a mistake.”
The amber liquid that I find so fascinating must do the same to him because he won’t look at me. Instead he downs it and pours himself another.
The silence is unbearable. All I want is to get out of his presence and be free. He is never going to be what I need, much like I can’t be the daughter he wants. Reed’s turquoise eyes appear, his face so beautiful. His wild dark curls fall over his forehead. And he smiles at me with his delicious full lips. Slamming the drink, the bourbon burns and stings down my throat. I need to numb myself. The last thing I need to do is start thinking about Reed more than I do.
“Thanks, Daddy. I’m sure everything you did you did because you love me, right?” Picking up my bag, I start for the door.
“I liked the old you, Tess.” I stop but don’t turn around.
“You don’t have to change to make someone like Reed Saddington love you. Trust me on that.” His voice is almost tender.
Shaking my head, I say, “I didn’t do this for Reed, Daddy. I did it for me, for a new start.” That’s a lie, but I’m not telling him that.
“Tess, I watched that boy claim you the day he set eyes on you. I thought it was weird then, and I think his obsession is even weirder now. Stay away from him. Let him have the Russian girl.” I stiffen at that last jab.
He runs a hand through his perfect hair. “You can have anyone you want. With your looks, the world is yours. It would be a shame to waste it on an entitled shit.” Again, I’m speechless. I have never understood why my father hates Reed so much.
Turning toward him, desperately needing him to answer this, I ask, “Why do you hate him so much? He’s a genius, rich, and he loved me.”
He looks at his shoes, then straight into my eyes. “I guess I hate him because he just takes. And has no intention of giving back. An eight-year-old boy stole you from me and has never let you go. He made you weak, needy, and I hated him for that. I want so badly to look into those beautiful eyes of yours and see you. Not someone who belongs to Reed Saddington.”
I can’t let him get away with this. If anyone makes me weak, it’s him and my mother. Reed knew me and accepted me. I will always belong to him.
“You’re wrong!” Walking straight in front of him, close enough to smell his spicy aftershave, I continue. “Reed is my soul mate! But that doesn’t mean that our souls are destined to be together.”
He shakes his head and looks up at the ceiling. “Tess… stand on your own two feet. You don’t need blond hair and puffy lips to do that.” Then he smiles, and I think I gasp. I don’t remember the last time I got a real smile