Page 7 of Twisted Empire

Dad held his palms up. “You’re right. I should’ve let you do it. But I just couldn’t resist.”

I grunted, too filled with rage to come up with a coherent sentence. “Hm.”

“I’m sorry, for what it’s worth.”

I took another deep, purgative breath. “It’s fine,” I said stiffly.

There was a tense pause. I took another sip of scotch.

“So… that’s all that’s upsetting you? That you’re losing your slave?” my father finally said to break the silence. He was staring directly at me with sharp eyes, as if he were searching my face for any hint that I was unsuitable to this new lifestyle. Any hint that I might actually care about Tatum.

I couldn’t let him see the truth. Couldn’t let him get in my way before I had the chance to save her. Whatever it took, I was getting her the fuck out of here, and only then would I show my hand and rain hellfire on all those who tried to take her from me. All those who wanted to hurt her, including my father. He would be the first to go when I tore down Crown and Dagger’s empire and crumbled it to black dust.

I nodded and pasted on what felt like the hundredth fake smile today. “Yeah, that’s it. But if she’s really pregnant, I guess I’m dodging a bullet, huh? Two birds with one stone and whatnot.”

The words felt revolting on my tongue, but I had to keep up the act.

Dad smiled back at me. “Indeed.” He patted my shoulder. “So on Sunday, you’ll join us in the hunt. It should be… cathartic. You’ll finally be done with Tatum forever.”

“Yeah. I‘ll be there.” I tossed the last of the whiskey down my throat and set the glass down with a clatter. “But I’m already fucking done.”

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