Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
I bite the inside of my cheek so hard, a metallic tang explodes on my tongue. If there’s anything I’ve learned from dealing with Kane, it’s that emotions and tantrums don’t faze him.
So I take a deep breath. “You want something, right?”
“I do.”
“What is it?”
“I want you to break up with Kane and make him believe it’s real. I’ll tell him about how you DNA-tested him and his teammates. I’ll also tell him that you only approached him to use his power and influence for your little investigation. When he confronts you, don’t offer excuses. You have to say that you never cared for him. That his only worth was the power his last name provides. I want you to sever any bond or idealistic feelings he has for you. I want you to break his emotions so that he hates relationships and foolish love.”
A whole-body tremor overtakes me, and tears of anger gather in my eyes. “Why are you doing this to him? Haven’t you hurt him enough?”
“Hurt him?” He tilts his head to the side. “I never hurt him. I built him from the ashes of his weak emotions. My son used to be the perfect heir to the Davenport empire. He’s even been planning a coup d’état against me. For two years, he’s been patient and methodical, converting the directors and spreading his sphere of influence in the company. He’s been so subtle and smart, even I didn’t notice. Kane has been waiting for the end of the year when he becomes a Founder member to pull the trigger on his plan, but do you know what that fool did? He offered to abandon his ambition if I leave you alone.”
I take a step back, my ears ringing. Kane…gave up the takeover of his father’s empire for me?
No, that can’t be true. Kane isn’t the type who would do that…
My thoughts trail off at the reminder of the recent subtle changes.
The look in his eyes.
The way he seemed after meeting his dad the last time.
The relief.
Oh God.
“You turned my perfect son into a fucking weakling.” Grant’s voice hardens. “You ruined all my years of hard work by just existing.”
“Hard work? You abused him, you sick monster!”
“You have a day to do what I’ve instructed,” he says with calm. “If he finds out about my involvement, your sister dies. You complete the mission successfully, and I’ll arrange for your disappearance from the East Coast and a reunion with your sister. I might even tell you what truly happened to her. Be smart.”
As he leaves the lab, a sob spills from my lips.
The world splinters into pieces around me.
Vi.
Kane.
They’re both slipping from between my fingers like sand.
Everything I ever cared about is vanishing, and I can’t stop it.
I fall to the floor and scream.
30
KANE
I’ve been on edge ever since Dahlia disappeared from my side.
A lingering discomfort has been wrapped around my throat like a noose, tightening further the more she doesn’t answer my calls.
Or texts.
I drive to the lab, breaking all the speed limits.
The place feels abandoned by the time I get there. The icy wind blows away the naked branches from the closest tree.
My steps are careful as I study my surroundings as if expecting a sneak attack.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had this feeling—the unsettling reality closing in on me. The invisible eyes lurking, watching, planning to set me on fucking fire.
I stand in the middle of the empty parking lot, but I can see the shadows spilling, stalking, and multiplying.
Over the past few years, I’ve stopped having this sense of dread. Of the unknown. Of the next mission. Of whether or not we’ll find Preston dead in a ditch somewhere.
Because I took control of my life. I had a plan to topple Grant, take over, and mold Vencor according to my preferences. My way.
I was close. So fucking close.
One more year.
No, just months at this point, not even an entire year.
The notion of a countdown made me lose all sense of fear. It didn’t matter what Grant did, because I had my backup plans. He could torture me all he wanted, but I’d become numb to his methods. No matter what he did, I knew it’d end with his downfall.
I knew I had the upper hand in the form of a bulletproof plan.
The future was mine.
Until it wasn’t.
My uncle was right. I’m back to being a cog in the machine.
I’ve reduced my role from a chess master to a mere pawn on Grant’s board.
Yes, I can and will rise again, but it’ll take more time and effort. Now that Grant knows what I’m capable of, he’ll be waiting for me at every turn.
Over the past week, I’ve been thinking about what I could’ve done differently to avoid this unceremonious downfall.
But I keep coming to the same conclusion. Short of not meeting Dahlia, nothing could’ve been changed.