AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hard pass.”
My pulse is rushing in my ears, however, because I heard what Dad was saying underneath everything else: must be doing well.
He’s here to bleed us of more money tonight. He thinks that we’re deliberately holding takings back from him.
Except, we’re not.
The bakery will fold, if we give him any more money.
We’ll go bankrupt.
We’ll lose everything and be forced onto the streets…or worse, back into the snake pit.
And tonight has made clear that nothing awaits us there but the cruelty of the triplets and Dad.
“Well, I’m dining out at the hotel’s restaurant with the triplets later,” Dad says. “So, if you could pay me your takings since the start of the month — along with the extra that you’ve been holding out on — then we can all get on with our evenings.”
“There isn’t any extra,” Vito protests, desperately. “Things have been tough. We’re barely holding on in this economy. Plus, it doesn’t help that Mayor St Clair in the last few months has been trying to get us shut down. He’s practically blacklisted us.”
Dad tilts his head, and for the first time since he swaggered in here, I can tell that he’s truly listened. “The mayor, huh? He’s causing you problems…? He’s the one with the pretty son who’s about your age, Thomas?”
Dad’s blue eyes glitter with something too much like violent desire.
Suddenly, a chilling cold grips me.
Thomas was in my class at high school.
He may be my enemy now. He may be the son of a man who’s trying to ruin me.
But I’d never — ever — intentionally set my own Dad on him.
I wouldn’t set Dad on anyone.
And definitely not the most beautiful Alpha in Haven, who’s been creeping into my dreams for years, no matter how hard I’ve tried to keep him out.
An Alpha who’s always been forbidden to me.
“Thomas is only following orders,” Vito says hurriedly, looking as pale as me. He must have caught Dad’s look as well. I reach for Vito’s hand, squeezing hard. He appears to understand. “He’s not behind our problems.”
“Are you sure about that? He was always a smart one, at least, smarter than his bastard of a father appreciated. His kids were simply pretty baubles to him. The Alpha son, on the other hand, has a cold, dominance radiating off him. He’ll be delicious to break.”
“Break?” I gasp.
“This is the sort of thing that you should bring to me.” Dad gives a thin smile. “You’re both too soft. I look out for my pack against outsiders. You don’t need to hear the details. But kidnapping Thomas will be a pleasant mix of business and pleasure for me. I’ll solve this problem for you with the mayor. I’ll get to it tomorrow and then return to Washington. The triplets can have their fun with Thomas, rather than you.”
He turns to leave, looking pleased.
Shit.
I remember Thomas: tall with copper hair and milk white skin.
I remember how his aquamarine eyes look prettier against the coldness of his expression like he’s hiding behind a mask.
I remember the way that he’d watch me across the classroom in high school with a smoldering intensity.
“Don’t,” I cry.
At the same time, Vito yells, “Stop.”
