Page 44 of Vicious Titan

Flinching at his harsh tone, I debate turning and running out, but I need to see my dad. “Victor— I’m … here to see Victor Hastings.”

“ID.” He types away on a computer, not looking up when I pass him my driver’s license. A feeling of déjà vu washes over me as I’m reminded of the same atmosphere as the facility where I’d visited Olivia. Only the employees weren’t as impolite. It’s not like anyone really wants to be here, myself included.

He passes my driver’s license back along with a sticker with my picture and name printed on it. “Wait here and they’ll call you back when he’s ready.”

I don’t take the time to respond because he’s already typing on the computer. I sit in one of the stiff chairs, watching as he gives a few more visitors the same frosty attitude. At least it wasn’t reserved just for me.

The door to my right opens, a guard in an identical uniform to the first guy stands in the doorway, looking to a clipboard before shouting. “Victoria Hastings.”

Rising from the chair, I hurry over as a smile rises on his face.

“This way, Miss Hastings.”

So, the uniform is the same but the guard beneath it isn’t. Fortunately. This sucks enough. He leads me down a hallway, motioning for me to enter a room where I see a row of chairs situated at desks along the walls, plexiglass separating the other side that looks into a room with the same desk on the other side.

“Have a seat and he’ll be right in. The conversations are monitored on the handset, but I’ll give you some privacy since you’re the only one using this room for now. I’m right outside the door if you need anything.”

“Thank you,” I utter, taking a seat in the chair. I was expecting more checkpoints, so I don’t feel ready. Not that I would’ve been even if there were a million more stops along the way.

Less than a minute goes by before my dad appears on the other side of the glass. He looks so different, weak and tired. The opposite of the man I’ve known my entire life has a seat across from me. His face is scruffy since his beard and mustache have grown in. I don’t think I’ve ever seen facial hair on him, he’s always been clean-shaven and well kept. His exquisite suit and tie is replaced by a simple gray cotton shirt and pants, both of which appear to be two sizes too big. His cheek is yellow with faded bruising. Did that happen before he got here or after?

Clearing my throat, I attempt to swallow the pity rising inside me as he picks up the handset hanging on the wall next to him. Reluctantly, I grab an identical one, placing it next to my ear.

“Hi, sweetheart,” his smooth, soft voice sounds through the earpiece. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I can’t say the same,” I whisper, but he hears and I see the shame on his face. “Why? What happened? I got home and you were gone.”

“What did your mother tell you?”

“Nothing. Asher told me that you were arrested on fraud and embezzlement charges.”

“I was, but it is all a big misunderstanding.”

“How am I supposed to believe that? You are here for a reason. Tell me why you did it, please.”

“Victoria, I didn’t do the things I’m being accused of.”

“So, Nathan, Mom, and Asher just planted evidence on you? They faked all the files?”

“Nathan?”

“Yes, your best friend. Why would he do that if it weren’t true?”

“Because he wants to overtake my company. He wants me out and your mother gladly helped him.”

“Why did you have a falling out? What happened all those years ago when you didn’t speak to each other?” I remember the time clearly because I’d been so upset when my father started cursing and raving about Nathan, saying crude and cruel things that I didn’t understand. Nathan was the person Asher and I both ran to when our dad was having a bad day. When he and Mom would fight and he’d trash the house, throwing anything within reach—just as Asher does when his temper flares—Nathan offered a safety zone. Elliot doesn’t throw everything not bolted down, but he has thrown things, though I’ve never been scared he’d hurt me. I can’t say the same about my dad—even if I’d always tried to convince myself he wouldn’t.

“Victoria …”

“Was it because you hurt Asher? Tell me the truth!” I scream into the receiver, shooting up from my chair. “Did you?”

My dad remains calm, a tear falling down his cheek. “No. I caught your mother in bed with Nathan and lost my temper.”

“No.” Shaking my head, I close my eyes. That’s not the man Nathan is. I don’t know for sure about my mother, but that is not the man I know.

“It’s true. Asher covered for them. He made up lies to hide their affair because he hated me so much and wanted Nathan to be in his life instead. That’s why we can’t get along. He’s told me he’d rather Nathan be his father than me, and I can’t get past it. Don’t let them rip you away from me too. I need someone by my side. I won’t survive in here without some hope.”

For a second, I almost buy his words. While I’m now questioning every single memory I have from my childhood, there’s one thing I cling onto and don’t have to question. Asher. He wouldn’t do that. I wonder whether I truly know Nathan or not, but I know my brother, and he would never do that no matter how much he hated our father.