AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Whatever that was made Martin flinch ever so subtly. But I saw, and I knew Kyle did.
“And if I say no?” Martin delivered the question in a droll tone, though his attention on Kyle was suddenly sharp.
“He’s your nephew.” I lifted my chin. “I don’t think even you are so despicable that you would knowingly harm your own flesh and blood.”
Kyle froze, his eyes going wide. “No. I’m not.”
So, he didn’t know. Claire was right.
“Unfortunately, yes,” I said. “Miranda was Martin’s sister, or she was before he and the rest of his elitist clan disowned her for marrying Collin. They considered your father beneath them.” I didn’t look at Kyle, but this was information he needed.
“I was grooming you to take a higher position within what I have built,” Martin said. “You have a certain skill set that I value.”
“Not interested,” Kyle snapped.
Martin crossed his arms over his chest. “Not optional.”
“His choice, Martin.” I pressed my lips into a tight line. “Like it was my choice to make an agreement with you all those years ago.”
“You were well compensated.” His lips flattened. “So was Kyle. I gave him a place to live, and employment. He’d be in foster care and his uncle on the streets if not for me.”
“He was young, frightened, destitute, and heartbroken ... like me.”
I couldn’t even imagine what Kyle’s mental state must have been after his parents were killed. My God, he was only ten years old at the time.
I pointed an accusatory finger at Martin, my movements jerky. “And you took advantage of him, just like you took advantage of me.”
Fire flared in Martin’s gaze. “Collin slept with Miranda. That was his decision, not mine. He was weak, a loser and an addict. He destroyed my sister, and he would have destroyed you. You got your medical bills paid. Your bar built. Better for you to be shot of him.”
“But I lost my daughter!” I flung my hands wide. That was a wound inside me that couldn’t heal. “In the end, it was the wrong choice, one I regret to this day. So I’m ending my agreement with you. Starting right now.”
Martin’s head jerked back in shock, all traces of amusement gone. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I would. I am.” I leaned forward. “What do I have to lose?”
The smile Martin gave me was pure evil. “Your business. My protection.”
“If you come after mine,” I lowered my voice to abring it ontone, “then I’ll come after yours.”
Martin scoffed. “How do you propose to do that?”
I hid my smile. He’d underestimated me.
“First, I’ll tell all those rich pieces of shit in Lakeside what you really do for a living.”
At that, tension whipped through Martin. His body stilled, but his gaze went hyperactive.
“Next,” I said with a malevolent smile, “I’ll sue your parents for custody to get my daughter back.”
Martin’s expression turned livid. “Our daughter, and she’s not a child anymore. She’ll be seventeen soon.”
“Right.” I threw my hands in the air. “Everyone here now knows that precious secret. Keep up, Martin. The times and the tide are changing. You have a new generation of Footits, Murphys, and Evanses around to deal with. New and old, we unanimously don’t like you. If I were you, I wouldn’t underestimate our hatred and the lengths we would go to protect those we care about.”
“Get rid of them.” Martin sliced through the air with a sharp and decisive motion. “Get rid of all this garbage.”
“Yes, boss.” Arturo gestured at us. “Let’s go.”
I lifted my chin. “We’ll see ourselves out.”
