Page 38 of Taint My Soul

“What happens to our shipment? One of our warehouse got burned down. Our enemies will see us as weak.”

“Our shipment will go out soon. I have spoken to our associates, and they’ve given us grace.”

“There’s no grace in this business. We could lose them.” He grunts. “What do you intend to do? If this continues, I have to find those culprits myself.”

“I have a plan.”

“Do tell.”

“A decoy.” I lay out the plan to him whilst he listens. The darkness in his eyes retreat, replaced by admiration. As long as everything works in our favor and our associates are patient, the shipment will arrive at their docks in two or three weeks. But my father isn’t a man who holds patience as a virtue, so I keep the true time frame part to myself.

He nods, a smile of approval on his face. “We have a wedding to attend in seven weeks.” It’s been quite a long time since I saw him smile. I thought since he was dying, he’d try to leave more, but he’s still the same man I’ve known my whole life.

“Yes, I believe you told me.”

“Right. I have heard rumors,” he pours himself another drink with disgust burning in his eyes. “Thank God, none of my children are those things.” His words burn. Discomfort sears through my chest, and I clench my fists at my sides.

“What do you think about Adanna?” he takes a sip. “And don’t even whine about work. You are thirty-eight,” he holds the glass to his lips and watches me. “Unless you are one of those things?” His brow lifts suspiciously.

I breathe.

One. Two. Three.

I don’t respond. Not because I don’t know what to say. But because I’ll lie. I don’t seem to have any other choice. His gaze darkens, almost as if he can see right through my very soul. Like he can see me fucking Mason. And every other man I’ve fucked before him.

“No, I am not a homosexual.” Those words taste like ash in my mouth. “And Adanna is pretty and smart. She’ll make a perfect partner.”

“Wife.” He corrects. “We need their alliance, son!”

“Of course.” I smile.

He pauses and grunts. “You may go.”

I rise from the chair and head to the exit, but the weight of the conversation presses against my chest like a fully loaded semi-truck. As I step outside the office, I shut the door and lean against it.

I know who I am and the things my body desires. I don’t see myself as a sinner for wanting to keep my sickness at bay. I do it because of him. Because he taught me that nothing else matters except family, and I’ve carried that truth my whole life.

I even ended my contract with Mason because I couldn’t stand how he makes me feel. Because he’s trying to worm his way into my heart and disarm every defense I’ve built up for the past twenty-one years.

And I can’t let him.

My driver waits outside the house when I appear through the door. “Take me to the office, Bernard,” I tell him as I step into the car.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

SAINT

It’s been two days.

Two days since the incident in my father’s office. Two days since Adanna and I had decided that marriage wasn’t anywhere in our future. At least for her, not me. Sooner or later, all the tactics I have used to evade this duty would catch up with me.

His words still lodge on my chest like a fresh wound.

Whatever my father wants, he gets.

It’s not the first time he’s abused that power.

Not the first time he’s made me do things I don’t want to do.