way. Why do you think I tried to keep you out of the shit for so long? You had potential, but you were always a loose cannon, more dangerous than your brother because you operated from a place where you believed in your actions. Jase, on the other hand, just accepted things at face-value. It makes him easier to control.” Dad sighs. “I explained why it was so important for you to stay under Jase for the time being, that it was a perception game. But you fought me every inch of the way. And now here we are, with a whole lot of loose ends, standing on a very fucking shaky foundation. I need your strength, but I need it away from here. You have choices to make, and I need you to figure out how to get your head back in the game before it gets blown off. Do you understand me?”
I give a quick nod. “I’m already there, Dad. I’m in the game and my choices have been made.” I swallow hard to find a growing lump wedged in my windpipe. “I choose Charlotte. I don’t want this life. I never did. I tried to take my place, I tried to do what you expected. But deep down, I’ve fought it from the very first time I took a box cutter to Shorty’s hand and sliced off that first finger.” I let out a dry chuckle. “And now, I want out. You’ve made it clear I can’t have everything, but I think I already do.” I back away from him, moving toward the door. “So I won’t be going to Chicago with Phoenix. I’m not sure where I’m going, but wherever I end up it will be with Charlotte.”
I slam the front door of my house and jog over to my car. It’s weird, but I feel lighter, like I can finally breathe again. The black cloud has finally been lifted, and all it took was for me to tell my dad I quit the family.
Quit the family.
It sounds so fucking stupid, especially since I’m not an idiot.
I know the only ways in and out, and quitting is not one of them.
It’s a custom-made body bag.
Son of the boss or not.
But right now, I don’t care about the consequences. Ha! How ironic is that? Me, the guy who’s always attacking people for not considering the consequences is saying fuck you to them.
Shit is going to come down hard on my family. People in the know will make plenty of money to sell them out because everyone has a price. Whatever is happening with Moretti and Rossi and Montrose will come out, probably sooner than later, and when it does, I can rest knowing I did what I could to stop it.
Nobody else will be able to say that.
I don’t know where my path will lead, but I won’t let it take me away from Charlotte again.
I choose her.
And us.
I zoom down the tree-lined streets in our affluent neighborhood as the sun dips below the horizon until I come to the wrought-iron gates of Hawthorne Manor. Jasper, the security guard, presses a button, waving me through. I drive up to the main house, pulling my car into a spot around the circular driveway. A smile tugs at my lips.
I throw the car in park and grab the key from the ignition. Sucking in a deep breath, I stare up at Hawthorne Manor for a second. Christ, it has been a long time since I smiled so much. But in the past few weeks, my lips have finally remembered what to do. It’s all because of Charlotte. I sound like a complete pussy for even admitting it, but I can’t help it. God, I fucking love that gi—
Crash!
Shoving open the driver’s side door, I bolt out of The Judge. Running toward the front door, I slam my fists on the thick wood. My pulse throbs, a pounding between my temples drowning out all rational thought, and I jump over the side of the staircase.
Bang! Boom!
I don’t know what the fuck is happening in there, but Charlotte’s screams are all I need to hear to know it’s bad. Her tearful shrieks send chills rippling through me and I grab a rock from the ground, sending it crashing through one of the front windows. Glass shatters, shards flying through the air, and I leap forward, feet first through the pane. Thin slivers of glass stab me through the fabric of my