Page 186 of Thorns of Malice

Bobby's dad stands there, his back toward me, arms crossed, his gray hair perfectly groomed. His designer suit hangs looserthan normal, and it appears he's lost weight. He stares at the crashing waves.

"Mr. Winston," I say.

He turns to me, scowling. "You're going to backtrack everything you've done, Dax."

"No, I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm not," I insist.

He points at me. "If you don't backtrack everything, undo all the stuff that you've done, I will haunt you until the day you die."

I grunt. "You're going to die way before me. Do you think that scares me? Besides, you're going to be tied up in legal battles for so long that you won't have time for anything else."

His eyes narrow, but I don't miss the fear in them. "What do you want for the drugs?"

I can't contain my grin. "Nothing. They aren't for sale."

"Everything's for sale, son. Now, tell me how much."

I let several minutes pass, which only infuriates him more.

His face turns redder. He snarls, "How much?"

"I'm not selling you the drugs so you can shelf them," I proclaim.

His face falls. He shakes his head, asserting, "I took you under my wing when you were a kid. You hated your old man, and I stepped in to guide you."

Part of me feels guilty. Bobby's father was more of a dad to me than my own. I spent countless hours at his house as a child, especially before I moved into the cottage. Whenever they went on trips, he would include me. And a lot of what I learned about business came from him.

Yet, it doesn't excuse his irresponsibility. He created Trance. It may have been for the meat industry, but he's fully aware of the damage it's causing on the streets. And he allowed Bobby access to it without thought of any consequences.

So I push my guilt aside and say, "That's why I gave you this meeting. To tell you to your face that this isn't going to go away, Robert. The best thing you can do is cut Bobby off. Don't defend him."

He steps closer. The scent of scotch flares in my nostrils. He declares, "You're not taking my business or my family down."

What's over is over, and it's clear my relationship with him has run its course. If he chooses to stand by Bobby after knowing what he's done, there's nothing else to discuss.

I step next to the door and hold it open, claiming, "You allowed your family and business to be vulnerable. That's on you, not me. And I'll be clear for you, Robert. I'm going to make sure nothing is left but ashes. Now get the fuck out of my office."

33

Ivy

The waves violently crash along the shore, keeping my adrenaline level high and not helping my growing unsettledness.

The meeting was intense. When Matt called me this morning, he told me what was happening and that he decided to attend.

I was bombarded by a slew of emotions. One of which was anger toward Dax for not telling me what was going on. Yet I loved that he was trying to protect me. I saw it the moment I walked into the room.

Now, though, my sexual urges are attacking me to the point I wonder if the CogniShift I took even works. How can it have stopped the progression when I feel so on edge?

Maybe my demons are awake due to the knowledge that after all these years, the predators who violated so many people, myself included, will finally pay the price. Perhaps they still need to fuck away all the years of pain. Whatever the root cause, my insides are quivering, needing a hit of Dax.

I discard my clothes, leaving on my crotchless, whore-red panties and cami. I keep on my four-inch matching stilettos with diamond-encrusted gold heels. I put them on this morning, wanting to feel confident.

But now I wonder if I semiconsciously knew I'd end up in Dax's office, waiting to surprise him when he returns.

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