Page 145 of Taint My Soul

Behind me, the door creaks, and three soldiers enter the space in black outfits and balaclava masks. Tension pounds against my bones as my stomach drops. I know exactly what he’s about to do. I’m reliving a memory. A deep, jarring memory that has sat somewhere within me. Lost in years and years of recollection.

“I lost my first child. But you came along, and you became the perfect son. Not your brothers, but you. And I taught you everything. Everything my father, your grandfather, taught me, and still it wasn’t enough for you to understand the simple truth.” He asserts, jaw tight with restraint. “Maybe I should have focused on Virgil. He’s made a perfect soldier after all.”

“Father…” The strength in my voice drains away.

“Pathetic. Look what he’s turned you into.”

“Never speak about Elio!”

“The same man who gave away our secrets as if it meant nothing. Have I not taught you anything?!” he barks, his expression shifts into something explosive and dangerous.

“Never speak about him.”

His gaze snaps to the soldiers behind me. “If he speaks again, put a bullet in his arm.” His face darkens, expression destructive. My heart hammers beneath my chest as my hands fidget at my side.

“I made you kill, Taye Deveraux, but forgive me for underestimating that the devil planted himself inside your soul.” He roars, eyes sharp with fury.

I shut my eyes and let out a livid exhale.

I am not a sinner. If loving Elio is a sin that will take me to hell, then I’d burn with him for eternity.

I’m not sick.

I’m whole. I’m fucking complete.

“Maybe it’s because I don’t want to end up like you.” I bark back and surge forward. He doesn’t even move an inch or act shocked.

Bang!

The pain of the bullet shatters my arm, spreading across the nerves in my body. I almost collapse on the floor as blood leaks into my suit. I grip my arm and press against the bullet wound.

“Animal.” His face contorts with disgust.

“Look how Mama ended up! Drove herself off a cliff because you couldn’t love her. Because you couldn’t see her. You… you’re a fucking monster!”

He moves toward me, hands gripping the scotch bottle on the desk. He swings, and the bottle crashes into my head, shattering across my face. Blood drips down my head onto my suit, and my eyes lock with the man standing before me. My gaze burns with resentment. For all the years I have spent pretending, trying to get into his good graces. I have done everything, and it’s this one thing that disqualifies me from being his successor.

My father.

The man who birthed me.

Staring at me like I was worth nothing.

“And you’re exactly what I have feared my whole life. Weak and fucking incompetent.” He grips my jaw and forces me to look at him. “When you’ve spent a month in the Red Vault, I will hand you a gun, and you will kill Elio Layton just like you killed the other motherfucker.”

A thick wad of my saliva lands on his cheeks, sliding down his jaw. His gaze intensifies, too shocked, and he swipes his hands over his face. His palm crashes across my face, knocking my head sideways.

He steps back and adjusts his suit jacket.

“Don’t worry, son. You will beg for mercy when the time comes.” He looks at the soldiers behind us. “Take him to the Red Vault. Don’t treat his injuries. Let him live with the pain. Until he’s ready to admit how he failed me.”

“Yes, sir.” The men wrap their hands around my arms and force me out of the room.

“And bring that bitch of an Elio to me. I need to paint my office with his blood.”

I move with a violent, stubborn force, breaking free from the men who hold me. But I don’t get far before his soldiers close their hands around me.

My father takes a step back, fear flashing in his eyes as a nervous chuckle escapes him.