Page 17 of The Inquirer

“It won’t matter,” Mom said. “We all know how fast things spread, whether they’re true or not. If people get wind of what you’re doing, it’ll be a disaster.”

“You need to let this go.” Dad gave me his best ‘I’m in charge’ tone.

“I already shelved a film because I didn’t want to hurt our family,” I reminded him. “And like I told you when you asked me to put aside my film on Deacon Miller, once was enough.”

A dark flush crept up his neck. “You ungrateful little bastard.”

“Careful.” I let the word hang in the air for a few seconds. “We don’t want a rumor going around that I’m illegitimate.”

His hands clenched into fists. “You will not go diggin’ around in our family’s past. Everythin’ worth seein’ is already out there.”

“I don’t know what you thought Nyx was going to do, but whatever it is, it won’t work.” I brought the conversation back around to the reason I was actually there. It didn’t matter what Dad said. He’d already disinherited me. What else could he do?

“You’re right that we don’t want you to make this film,” Mom said, “but we didn’t take any measures to stop you. Certainly not hiring some random woman from up North.”

“Why should I believe you?”

Dad smirked at me. “Because we don’t need to prevent you from releasin’ your film, just make it not worth your while to do it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked warily.

“If you finish your movie and release it, the press will want to know our side of the story,” Mom explained, lifting her perfectly manicured hand to her chest in a show of fake surprise. “Of course, we’ll tell them that we told you what parts of the story were false, but you refused to change anything, claimin’ that you don’t need proof. That you can say whatever you want.”

If I didn’t know how well she could put on an ‘innocent’ act, I might’ve called her bluff, but what she was saying had the ring of truth to it.

“It’d be sad,” Dad took over, “tellin’ people that you were so upset about being disinherited that you’ve made up these lies about our family in an attempt to hurt us. Just like how you made a film on my political rival when I wouldn’t let you create a propaganda film for my campaign.”

“Bullshit.”

“Watch your mouth in this house, young man.” Mom pointed a finger at me. “Just because you don’t like somethin’ is no reason for foul language.”

“Your mother and I would be forced to sit down with the biggest news outlets, needin’ to set things straight. Instead of being the villains in your story, we’ll be the victims.” Dad looked pleased with himself. “Hiring a PI to come after you would give credence to your story that we were tryin’ to discredit you. So, whoever this Nyx is, look elsewhere for who holds her leash because it isn’t anyone in the family.”

Shit.

That made sense.

Shit.

Nine

Nyx

Brew and Shadae had loaned me their living room for the video conference, which I appreciated. They were going to be part of the call, but they could’ve insisted we bring in their own lawyer, do the call from his or her office.

I’d actually advised them to have legal counsel there, but they’d said that they wanted to hear what Min and the Douglasses had to say before they made any legal decisions. Since it wasn’t like they were in trouble, I figured it wouldn’t be an issue, but I’d still called Min to make sure. She and the Douglasses had been fine with it too.

“You need to sit down, sugar,” Shadae said from her spot on the couch. “You’re hoverin’ around like a nervous butterfly, and I’m getting’ dizzy just watchin’ you.”

“Um, yeah, okay.” I turned in a circle, looking for anything out of place. Not that Shadae’s house was ever anything but pristine.

“I mean it, sugar.” She gave me one of those stern looks I’d seen her give Isaac and Bradyn. “Sit.”

I settled on the couch on the other side of Brew. Since this was about his family, we’d agreed that he should sit in the middle. Well, Shadae and I had agreed. Brew hadn’t been happy about it since he didn’t like the idea of being the center of attention, but then Shadae had given him a cousin of the look she’d given me, and he’d shut right up.

My laptop dinged, indicating an incoming call. I answered the call, and three people appeared on the screen. It looked like Min was at the Douglass’s house with them, which I thought was a strange choice for a lawyer, but what did I know? It wasn’t like I’d gone to law school. For all I knew, the Douglasses had requested it for some reason or other.

“Good morning.” I gave them my most professional smile. “Mr. and Mrs. Douglass, it’s good to see you again. You too, Min.”

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