Page 117 of Brutal King

Father narrows his gaze. “I had a feeling someday you’d betray me. Just like your mother.”

I snap my attention back to him. “My mother never betrayed you.”

He laughs a laugh so vile and full of disgust, that it’s easy to decipher its meaning. “She had no vision. She couldn’t see the big picture. What you could be when you grew up. What I could make you.”

I’m hit the realization of what he’s saying. “Youkilled her.”

“She tried to take you from me. That night, she packed everything thinking I’d be gone. If I hadn’t come home early, she would have gotten away with it.”

“You killed her,” I repeat. “You killed her.”

“I saved you from a life of mediocracy. From the fucking poverty I lived with. I gave you power. And how do you repay me? By choosing her!” Father’s face is a mask of fury. “I won’t allow that.” He moves his aim toward Sofia’s head. “Don’t worry, son. I’ll ensure her passage to the other side. Or did you forget? I’m The Ferryman.”

Everything suddenly seems to have been slowed down so that I can process every thought, every feeling. The adrenaline pumping through my system gives me the strength to pull myself from the men’s grasps, and throw my body in front of Sofia. I hear the sound of the shot as it cracks through the air and echoes angrily against the walls.

Blood sprays across Sofia’s face as a bullet passes through my shoulder. I shove her aside as another hits me on my side.

“Gideon!” she cries and tries to grab hold of me.

“Sof—” Another shot has me losing my balance. I fall into the water with a loud splash. Within seconds, everything around me has turned a deep crimson.

As I sink, my vision darkens. Above me, the image of my father peering into the pool begins to blur.

Until it all goes black.

29

GIDEON

After Shiloh’s death, dinners became a silent affair. For an entire month, I didn’t speak to my father. I didn’t look at him. Anger had mixed with shame and guilt.

I blamed him for what I’d done, even though deep down I knew the responsibility of my actions fell solely on my shoulders. It was me that decided to take Scarlet in. It was me that kept her hidden. And it was me that did it fully aware that the consequence would be something terrible.

Still, admitting that was impossible. It was easier to hate my father than it was to acknowledge my mistake. That I had been wrong.

It wasn’t until Scarlet had needs I couldn’t meet that I saw myself forced to swallow my pride. She was ill and needed a doctor.

“Father.”

He looked up from his dinner plate. “You have something to say?”

“I’m sorry.”

Sofia’s in danger.

The thought hits me like a ton of bricks to the chest that forces my eyes open. I twist in the water, searching for the surface, and take a sharp breath when I find it.

Someone grabs me and forcefully pulls me out. I fight against them, but the sharp pain in my shoulder has me unconscious within seconds.

“Sir, wake up!”

When I open my eyes again, I’m being dragged by someone. “What the?”

“Stay quiet!” he whisper/yells. “We’re almost out.”

It’s Itsuki. He’s somehow carried me through the garage and is now attempting to shove me into one of the cars.

“I need to get to Sofia!” I try to push him away, but he keeps on going.

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