Page 126 of Theirs to Rule

“But when he is here?” I pressed.

She suddenly looked a lot older than her sixteen years. “He’s usually in a mood. Or he holes himself up in his office and pretends I don’t exist. Or he invites one of his bimbos over.”

“What a second,” I said, confused. “What bimbos?”

“I don’t know. I see him with different women. And last week…ugh… I caught him....with one of them here.” She crinkled up her nose. “God, I saw his ass, Cami. His ass. It was all white and pasty. He even has a tattoo that I never even knew about.” She shuddered, like she’d been scarred for life.

My heart froze. I tried to keep my voice calm, not wanting to give away anything. It could be nothing.

“Hold up, what kind of tattoo?”

“A tree. I don’t know what kind.”

I sucked in a breath, my blood chilling.

No, he couldn’t be involved. Not my own father…

“Elise, did you ever hear Dad talk about my friend Ava?”

“Just once. When that guy you and Ava had over here this past summer came to visit. His name was…Silas, I think?”

“Silas? He was here? When?”

Elise frowned. “I’m not sure exactly, but yeah, he was here. Maybe a couple of months ago. He?—”

Elise’s mouth clamped shut as her gaze shifted from me to something behind me. I turned around to see my father standing there, taking off his coat. His bodyguard, Angus, was with him.

“Camille. What a surprise seeing you,” Dad said calmly.

“Hey,” I greeted Dad, plastering a smile on my face. I did my best to act like nothing was wrong while Elise ducked behind me like she was terrified of what he might do. “I just thought I’dcome down to see Elise and also check that Bianca hadn’t been here to get some of her things.”

“You mean pack up her things so she could run off with her boyfriend in California,” Dad said. “I was just informed by the university what happened. Not surprised. After she was demoted to Tier Three, I told her what a fucking disappointment she was to me. Apparently disappointing me is something all my daughters have in common.” He pinned Elise with a glare. “Now, what’s this about you listening in on my private conversations?”

“Elise, go upstairs,” I told her. “I need to talk to Dad in private.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Dad told Elise. “Anything you need to say to me can be said in front of your sister. She’s not a child.”

“Sheisa child,” I bit out. “She’s sixteen years old. She’s certainly not ready to be married.”

“Ah, so she told you. It’s none of your business, Camille. You clearly have no intention of taking responsibility for this family but the man who was interested in you now wants Elise.”

“That’s because he must be a fucking pedophile,” I snapped. I grabbed Elise’s hand and started inching around my dad until we were closer to the front door. “Stay where you are. I’m going to take Elisa and?—”

“You’re not going anywhere, Camille.”

Chapter 55

Camille

Dad nodded at Angus and even as I tried to whip around, strong hands grasped my wrists, rendering me helpless. I fought hard, desperately trying to free myself from the hold on me but it was useless. The man was too strong.

My heart thumped as I watched my father yank Elise toward him.

“Let her go,” I pleaded with him.

What was happening? Things had changed so fast. My father—always distant and critical—looked crazed as he grabbed Elise by the throat.

Dad laughed at me. “Or what?” he taunted.

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