Page 129 of Lies Like Love

“Who said I give a fuck about your conditions?” Jude relaxes his arms to his sides like he does when he’s standing in the ring, mentally preparing for a fight. Dad might not recognize it, but he’s ready for battle.

“Because I have the power, Jude. You got my present, I take it?”

“You sent the pictures?” My stomach twists. “Why do you even have them?”

“In the event I ever needed to remind you who is really in charge. Regardless of who you live with, where you are, or how much freedom I’m allowing at the moment, you are my daughter, and I will have a say in your life.”

“I’m twenty-six. You aren’t my keeper.”

“The fact that you think your age matters in this family shows how naïve you are,” Dad says. “It didn’t back then, and it doesn’t now. You will do for your family what I ask of you. Just like she did.”

He’s threatening me with the man I love. Somehow turning our engagement into another puzzle piece in his sick game.

“Are you willing to lose him?” Dad threatens. “I can arrange that. Then you’ll be free to marry someone of my choosing, and I promise they’ll be much more agreeable.”

Jude steps forward, but Dad holds up his hand.

“You’ll take the reins of your father’s empire, like you were meant to years ago. All you have to do is sign the papers, Jude. It’s that simple.”

“No,” Jude says.

Dad laughs. “No? Was I not clear?”

“Crystal.” Jude stands in front of me almost completely now. “But you don’t make the rules. I’ll tell you like I told them years ago, I’m not playing these games, and Fel isn’t either. I protected her from them, and I’ll protect her from you if it’s the last thing I fucking do.”

“Have it your way.” Dad reaches behind him so fast my brain is still processing when he draws the gun.

He’s smiling as he points it at Jude, and I know in my bones, regardless of what he said, he wanted this all along. There’s no good in him like I remember. No comfort, no peace.

Only violence.

One second that happens so fast I don’t have time to process as he pulls the trigger, Jude drops, and life shatters around me.

40

Jude

Mysidestings.

Venom spreads.

Or is that my nerves tensing for self-preservation?

It’s hot and cold and it knocks me backward. Sounds mute except for her scream echoing in my ears.

Fel reaches for me, but hands wrap her arms before she’s close enough. The men who followed me inside when I got here reach her like the souls of purgatory dragging her out to sea with their torment. Faces with wide mouths and melting eyes.

But I can’t break my stare on Fel. All screams and red hair as she flails around and kicks at the two men pulling her away. She elbows one and manages to twist.

She runs and runs.

The princess running away.

And for a moment, time snaps as it all plays out around me like something I’m watching outside my body. Her scream echoes as it fades into silence so deep I’m not sure if I’m really hearing it.

The room comes back into focus, and I see Fel’s father ordering his men to go find her as they all file through the doorway and disappear.

The fucking asshole shot me.

---