Page 51 of Falling in Reverse

“She was stolen from me?—”

“That girl is no Wildes.

“She’s more of a Wildes than you are, son.”

Like I really give a fuck about that name.

I’d be proud to be a Wildes if Emilio treated me with an ounce of respect. But, because of my hearing disability, I’ve been treated like I’m worthless.

“Her real name is Haven,” Emilio continues over the rim of his glass, blue eyes looking intently at me. “I was told she died and it stopped my searching for her. Until recently.”

“What prompted that?”

“I saw her.” Emilio looks off at something between Ramsey and I. “Roger Astor, the previous owner of the South Shore Titan seat, took off with her after Penn Northcott was brought in to the authorities. It was his daughter who drowned, not mine.”

“For?” Ramsey retorts. “Why would he want a little brat?”

“Because I killed her mother. And, after Penn was ripped off the fifth Titan seat and no longer held the power, he picked up Haven and ran.”

“Still doesn’t answer the question,” I insert. because no rando is going to steal another man’s child without a reason.

Emilio’s jaw ticks. “Because he was fucking Aurora behind my back. He was lookin’ to take my child away from me and my woman.”

Because you’re a fucking psycho. Makes sense now.

However, word on the street is that Aurora had already broken up with Emilio and father dearest wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“So, what’s your plan?” I receive my father’s attention again. “She’s South Shore. She’s Levi Wallace’s so-called woman. She dated Matteo De Leon. This chick jumps gang dick like the fucking Easter bunny.”

“I desire a fresh start with my daughter,” he vouches. “And you’re more than welcome to leave if you can’t handle the truth. And watch your fucking mouth.”

“The truth is that she’s the enemy. She’s what we are at constant war with.”

“And I’m hoping to change that.”

He’s out of his damn mind right now. That woman is not going to switch sides like that.

“And if she doesn’t?”

Something sinister stretches over Emilio’s face and it’s exactly what I was afraid of. “She will.”

Or she dies.

He doesn’t need to say the words because history repeats itself.

“I don’t believe this is a good idea,” Ramsey finally consents. “Torin is right, she’s South Shore. She’s been brought up by another family, and she’s not young and easily manipulated.”

Emilio shifts nonchalantly in his seat. “I’m not worried about it. I have enough to use against her to sway her my way.”

“I don’t get it,” I emit. “If she doesn’t want anything to do with you, then why push it?”

“Because she’s my blood,” Emilio leers. “She’s mine.”

Just like he believed Aurora was his, too.

Emilio obviously doesn’t take female rejection well, and I’m starting to believe that I may have that in common with this son of a bitch.

“Might not want her to get too close,” I advise, even though it’s about to out one ear and out the other. “She might just kill you her damn self.”

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