Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,53

couldn’t imagine he needed so many people to keep the day to day homelife going.

My foot ached almost as much as the stinging sensations on my bottom. Even the minimal number of strikes he’d issued had been harsh, punishment for daring to defy him. Running had been a ridiculous move, but a part of me wanted to see what he’d do. I laughed softly and pressed my hand against my mouth, remembering the intimate kiss.

Gabriel could be so stiff, unyielding in every manner, but I’d seen remarkable seconds of true passion, raw and exposed. He was so damn complicated, layer upon layer of anger and sadness wrapped around him, suffocating his every move.

I held out my hand, staring at the crumpled papers. Did I really want to find out what he’d tossed away? Sadly, I did. I needed to find out everything about this man I could if I wanted to find a way to escape. Whatever relationship my father had entered into with him was twisted and dark, fueled by power and greed. That much I could tell. The details continued to haunt me.

I moved slowly toward the bed, every step reminding me of the ridiculous plug he’d forced me to wear. As I sat down, I winced, wanting nothing more than to rid myself of the implement. Funny how I didn’t even bother trying.

Very slowly I peeled open the papers, smoothing out the wrinkles then staring down at the handwriting. A cold shiver drifted into every cell in my body, tears immediately swimming into my eyes. My father’s handwriting. Oh, God. I’d been right. The bastard had kept this from me. He’d never wanted me to see the truth.

A strangled moan rushed from my throat and I was forced to wipe away the tears before they ruined the ink.

“Alessandra,

My dear, beautiful daughter. These words will be difficult for you to read but they are necessary. My life ended up being about lies, the decision I made branded into my very soul, one I’d sold to the devil.”

I jerked back, closing my eyes. No. I didn’t want to read this. I couldn’t. I scrambled up from the bed, leaving the letter in the middle of the crumpled blanket, backing against the wall. You wanted to know the truth. Now is your chance.

Maybe I honestly didn’t want to know the truth, just like Gabriel had warned. However, he’d hidden the letter from me intentionally. Fuck him. I snatched it into my hand, pacing the floor as I began to read the rest.

With every paragraph, I began to understand that my father had lived a double life, at least for a period of time. He’d portrayed himself to be a businessman who’d enjoyed working for Masters Enterprises early on, but something had changed him. He’d fallen prey to some desire to either better himself or... protect me? I was more confused than ever. My father had always been a righteous man, one of honor. What if he had stolen money from Gabriel?

By the time I read the last two paragraphs, I was numb inside, no longer able to feel anything.

No pain.

No anger.

No hatred.

Just...nothing.

“There are some things I can’t tell you, my sweet daughter, but you need to know that I believe in my heart Gabriel Masters is the only man who can protect and care for you. As if you need affirmation, Bobby Rivers is nothing more than a vulture. He will continue to try to destroy you because those were his orders. What I’ve done will prevent that from happening.

You deserve happiness, something I hoped I was able to share with you. I have asked Gabriel within the terms of a deal I’ve made to take you as his wife. There are several reasons for my request that will come to light at a later time. Just know I have your best interests at heart. I love you, Alessandra, more than I can truly express. Never forget that you can be in charge of your destiny. You will learn the reasons why I made the decisions I did. I love you.”

My father had predicted his own death. He’d known I would be left alone to face the nightmare. I held my breath, reading the letter once again.

Bobby Rivers was a part of this. The asshole who’d lured me to the club with a promise of nothing more than a night out had betrayed me on more than one level. The same asshole who’d pretended to be my friend had been