AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh.” He knocks on the wall before heading out. “There’s a guy here wanting to talk to you. Says he’s your uncle.”
My entire body clenches, my teeth tightening together as I try to calm my rage.
How the fuck did he find me? I’m in the middle of nowhere. It’s too early for this shit.
I fold the newspaper in half and stand, tucking it in my back pocket. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let him see how much I miss home. He’s another reason I don’t want to go back. Growing up I wanted to be just like Uncle Dash. He has this charming quality about him that everyone falls for. When I was a kid, I didn’t see it.
After my dad died, I saw him for the snake he was.
My boots slam against the floor with every fast step I take to get out the door.
“Woah, hey, what’s going on?” Tim asks as I shove him to the side.
I barely hear him. I push the door open so hard, it hits the wall, and the glass cracks across the front panel.
There he is. Uncle Dash, leaning against his brand new shiny, black truck that has St. Claire’s Construction written across the side. He straightens up when he sees me coming.
I don’t stop. I charge at him, kicking up dust under my steel-toe boots. “I don’t know what the fuck you think you’re doing here, and I don’t know how you found me.” I shove him in his chest, and he grunts. “But you can get the fuck out of here and never look back. I don’t want to see you again.” Uncle Dash didn’t come to Dad’s funeral, his own damn brother, but you better believe he got an attorney to try and get Dad’s money that he left to me.
I haven’t touched it though, so according to the will, the account is frozen until I claim it.
Getting into that fight at the bar was my doing, but if Uncle Dash hadn’t started in, if he hadn’t provoked me, where would I be? Sometimes, I think he planned the entire thing. It’s a paranoid theory, but he left me there. He was gone when I got arrested. I had no triggers, but one.
Nina.
And when he started bad-mouthing her, calling her names, I fucking lost my temper on him. I have never wanted someone’s bones as Christmas decorations so badly before. He made me lose all control.
Just like he is now.
With that in mind, I take a deep breath and step back. I won’t let him win again.
“Good to see you, Simon.” He brushes off the non-existent dirt on his shirt. “I see you’re still battling that little temper of yours, aren’t you?” He smirks causing the scar down his eye to stretch and move as if it’s alive.
“I’m not giving you the time of day. Get in your truck—“ I gesture to the road. ”—And follow the pavement until you roll off it for all I care.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Simon,” he chastises me, pushing off the truck again.
His shadow no longer swallows me since I’m an adult, but his attempt to make me feel small is obvious. He straightens, widens his chest, and gets so close that our chests nearly touch. I don’t back down. I keep eye contact, doing my best not to focus on his scar.
“You’ve only seen the beginning of me. I’m here to offer you the deal of a lifetime, son.”
My jaw flexes at the fake endearment. “I amnotyour son.”
He chuckles, staring off to the right, and nods his chin to the audience we have acquired. Lowering his voice he states, “Your time as the St. Claire heir is over.” He pushes a piece of paper into my chest. “I think someone forgot to read their father’s will. You have one week, Simon. I know you’ll make the right choice.” He sighs, then shakes his head. “Read the will, then read my offer.”
“I don’t want anything you’re offering.”
“You will when you read your dad’s will.” A violent, greedy gleam takes over his brown eyes. “What would happen to Nina if you don’t do as I say?”
“You won’t touch her,” I roar, a deep rough growl from within my chest. Launching myself at my uncle, arms wrap around me before I can reach him.
“Don’t,” Tim warns. “He isn’t worth it, Simon.”
“I’m worth more than you two and this entire damn dump put together.” He walks around his truck and opens the door. “One week, Simon.”
The truck grumbles to life, spewing black smoke from the exhaust as the tires spin out of the parking lot.
“Who the hell was that asshole?” Tim asks.
