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I offer an arrogant smile. It’s the same one he’s hated since my teens. It’s not that I think I know better than my grandfather. It’s simply that although we share blood, I do with a monster as well.
“Good chat, Gramps.” I stand up and take one more swig of his flask before returning it to him. “Maybe we’ll play golf sometime soon.”
He shakes his head disapprovingly, and even when I take my leave, he calls out after me. “It’ll break your mother if you’re killed. So don’t you dare die! But Dmitri…” I look over my shoulder at the only person who’d offered me any form of stability in my life. “If you have to… do what I never could. Make him pay for your mother as well.”
I kick up a smile and continue walking as he shouts over my shoulder again. “But don’t let the stocks drop; someone has to pay my green fees.”
The smile remains. Arrogant prick. The old man already has too much money.
But I’ll make sure that his legacy won’t be touched.
The Lion is not going to take any more from us.
35
ELANEE
Imassage my toes as I watch some drama-fueled reality show. I can’t even remember the last time I’d casually lounged around like this. But thanks to a certain asshole, I had to reschedule my appointments for the week. And be fucked if I was going to listen to his threat regarding no male clients. Everyone wanted love, and so there was money in it for me to be made.
I watch as two men argue over the same woman on TV, never entirely understanding the concept of a love triangle. Then again, my situation is more fucked up than their scripted version.
My phone screen lights, and all the amusement I was finding from the television wipes. Because it’s not the phone I was hoping to receive a call. I swallow hard and mute the TV. I build my confidence before answering.
“Good evening, my Lion.” It’s unusual for him to call me at nighttime. Then again, it was never a schedule or predictable thing. He did what he wanted, when he wanted and I was simply the pet that had to come running along when he said fetch.
“My little dove,” he purrs. I hate the nickname he gives me because of the implied insinuation. A reminder constantly of my wings that were clipped. “I’m quite angry today.”
Blood drains from my face. I don’t like his tone. I know what kind of escapades he’s had when he has this narrow-minded tunnel vision. “W-Why, my Lion?” I internally reprimand myself for the stutter. I curse the immediate fear that swells back into place. This volatile whiplash of moments of happiness and then reality comes crashing down.
“Slater’s gone missing. Do you happen to know anything about that?” His tone has a lethal edge.
My mouth is dry and I can’t speak. Does he think I have something to do with it?
“No, sir. I didn’t know. I only checked in with him a few days ago.” I’m confused.
“Hmmm,” he purrs, and I can imagine him stroking his thick black beard. “This is the second person I’ve now put in charge of you that has been disposed of. Is there something you’re not telling me, my little dove?”
Knots twist in my stomach and bile threatens to come up. He’s going to hurt me. He’s going to hurt my family. He’s going to kill us all.
I try to push all the conditioned thoughts away and try not to retract into myself. “No, sir. Except that I miss you.”
Survive.
Look to the ground.
Apologize.
Become insignificant.
He chuckles down the line. “My pretty little dove, are you trying to grovel?”
“It’s only the truth,” I whisper, believing my own lie. Because I have to, when he’s like this… he… does things… hurts people.
“Have you seen my son yet?” he asks, and it’s more like he’s purring down the line, knowing the full effect he has on me even when he can’t see me.
The mention of Dmitri fractures my heart like ice shattering. I stand and walk to my window, hoping that the movement will flush out this fear and adrenaline coursing through my body.
“No, my Lion. Although I must confess, he is a highly requested candidate for my services.”
