else.”
I stop at the base of the stairs at the corner of the lounge area from where her voice comes through.
So she returned home last night.
“This is as good of a place as any.”
My muscles tighten at that voice.
The voice I never wanted to hear in my house.
Ever.
Could it be that I’m hearing things?
Leaning sideways, I peek slightly inside.
I wrap a hand over my mouth to smother the gasp.
It’s him.
Jonathan King.
Jonathan fucking King is sitting on the chair at the head of the lounge area. He’s wearing a black suit that seems straight out of an Armani fashion show.
Aunt and Uncle sit on the sofa opposite him.
I have a side view, but I can make out the horrified expression on Aunt’s face and the blackening of Uncle’s features.
What the hell is going on?
“Mr King,” Uncle speaks in a respectful calm tone. “Please let’s do this outside.”
“I would rather do this right here.” He appears completely relaxed like he owns the place and everyone in it.
It’s clear from whom Aiden got his infuriating confidence.
“We’re thankful for your help ten years ago,” Aunt says. “But we already paid you back.”
“Paid me back?” Jonathan deadpans. “Nothing can pay back saving a person’s life, Mrs Quinn. If I hadn’t paid for Elsa’s heart surgery, do you think she would’ve been alive?”
My heartbeat skyrockets, slamming against my ribcage and buzzing in my ears.
Jonathan paid for my surgery? Why the hell would he do that?
“You’re right,” Aunt rushes. “We didn’t have the finances and if you didn’t offer a generous hand, we wouldn’t have Elsa with us.”
“I’m no generous man, Mrs Quinn.” Jonathan plants his elbow on the armrest and leans against his hand. “I’m a businessman. I only made an investment for the future. After all, she’s the heiress to Steel’s fortune.”
“There’s no fortune!” Aunt jumps to her feet. “She’ll go nowhere near that filthy empire built by blood.”
Steel’s heiress. Empire?
I’m reeling from so much information thrown in my face. I feel like I’m going to throw up again.
Jonathan smiles. “The fact that it’s built on blood makes it even more desirable. Don’t you think?”
“My Elsa will go nowhere near that money or that name. She’s Elsa Quinn,” Aunt snaps.
Uncle sits her down and places a hand on her thigh as if to keep her from standing up again. He faces Jonathan with a much more rational expression than Aunt’s. “You said no conditions back then.”
“I said no conditions, but I said I’ll return when she’s eighteen.”
Aunt’s lower lip twists.
“And what do you want, Mr King?” Uncle’s voice hardens. “Because you won’t meet Elsa. You’ll have to get through me first.”
“With all due respect, getting through you won’t be so hard, Mr Quinn.”
“What do you want from her?” Uncle grits out, his entire demeanour radiating tension.
“I let Elsa live ten years ago and I’m letting her live now, but the moment I decide to burn Steel’s blood running in her veins, no one will stop me.” He pauses. “I’ll finish the life I saved in a heartbeat.”
My back snaps and my fingers tremble.
I’ll finish the life I saved in a heartbeat.
What the hell does he mean by that?
“She has nothing to do with her father!” Aunt yells. “She’s not him.”
“Are you certain about that?” Jonathan’s eyes darken. “After all, she’s Steel’s little princess for whom he sacrificed everything.”
“Leave Elsa alone, or I won’t stay still,” Uncle speaks low but threateningly.
“I appreciate the courage, but you can’t do fuck to me, Mr Quinn.” Jonathan stands and buttons his jacket. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a board of directors meeting to attend.”
He suddenly lifts his eyes and meets mine as if he knew I was listening all along.
I freeze as a cruel smirk tilts his lips before he turns and walks out the door.
Neither Aunt nor Uncle sees him out. Aunt’s face reddens and Uncle holds her by the shoulders as if he’s keeping her from falling apart.
I stand behind the wall, my insides breaking into a million pieces.
Everything Jonathan said whirls in my head like a hurricane with no ending in sight.
I’m too shocked to process everything, but I know, I just know that whatever happened in my past isn’t something pretty.
Pretty or not, this is my only chance to know the truth.
I inhale deep, shaky breaths and stride into the lounge area.
Uncle glances up first as I stand in front of them. Alarm tightens his features.
Before they can say anything, I speak in a calm voice I don’t feel. “I heard everything. Now,