Page 132 of The Spare
"Why ishehere?" Father snaps, referring to William.
"Hello to you, too, Father."
His eyes pin to mine, narrowing. "Oh, cut the crap, Mason.Why is he here?"
"Because I brought him here, Father." I sit in a chair across from his desk, pulling Melody down into the chair next to mine. She keeps her eyes averted, still hurt.
"I told you I didn't want to discuss it,"Father snarls, his eyes cold as ice.
"I'm not here to discuss whatever 'it'is," I say, spreading my legs and clearing my throat, waiting until both Hendrix and Teresa take a seat in nearby chairs. William elects to stay standing, perching himself near a tall window to my right. "I'm here to discuss my role going forward, and my personal interests. William is here because I would like him to be a part of our family. And if ‘our family' only means Melody and I, well…" I trail off, looking at her. She's a bit paler than normal, all the stress of everyone fighting wearing her out. "I just wanted to let you know that wewillbe moving forward with a relationship with William."
Father scoffs in disbelief, sitting back in his office chair and folding his arms. "Who is your loyalty to, boy? Because it's clear to me that it's certainly not to King Dynasty!"
"Fuck King Dynasty," I say harshly. I maintain his gaze, not even bothering to raise my voice. "My loyalty is toMelody."
A hush falls over the room, and I feel Melody's nails dig into my forearm, but I stand my ground. Hendrix stiffens in his seat next to Teresa a few feet away, giving me a look but remaining silent.
"My loyalty is first and foremost to her," I say, my voice raw with passion and self-assuredness. "It is not to that fuckingcompany,or even to this lifestyle that all I've seen witness it do is threaten to stifle us or smother us.It is to her!"I shout, leaning forward and pounding my fist to my chest as my voice echoes throughout the room. Madre’s eyes widen, but I keep my eyes firmly on Father's. "And Ineedto take her away from this. I will not stick around here and watch whatever happened to you, whatever sickness haunts this family, eat her up. Melody won't be collateral damage. I'm withdrawing from King Dynasty New York headquarters, effectiveimmediately."
Father stares at me stunned.
"Until you come to terms with your secrets. Until this family works out whatever bullshit has them all divided, Melody and I are stepping away." I hold my palms up and shake my head, letting him know how serious I am.
William leans forward. "Richard, we need to talk. Maybe it's time we discuss this with them."
Father stands up so fast his chair topples over. "You say a single fucking word to my children, you snake-"
"Brother, you know momma wouldn't want us fighting like this," William implores, spreading his arms.
"Then you should have thought about that before you-"
"It was a goddamn accident!" William yells, his face flushed. "And I am sorry-"
"Enough!"
Williams eyes turn sad. "I have paid my price, Richard! For forty years I have paid and paid! How much more do you want from me?" he says bitterly, his face red as he steps forward, fisting his hands.
"I want you gone!" Father roars.
"I have been gone!"William shouts back, his voice cracking as anger twists his features. "Richard, let it go, okay? You have three kids. A wife! You run a fucking global empire. I moved to the other side of the world, left everything behind, and I only come back when it'sdeemed necessary.Let it go, brother. We're getting old, and it's time to move past this.Momma and Stephanie-"
Father points a finger at him. "Don't you dare speak of them to me!"
"You act just like father!" William shouts, his eyes welling with tears. "You try to remove yourself from that fucking time in our lives like it never happened,but you act just like him!"
I suck in a sharp breath and let go of Melody's hand to stand up hastily as Father moves to round the desk, but Madre runs in front of him quickly, throwing herself between the two men.
"Richard, c-calm down, my love."
"You are dead to me!" he shouts over her shoulder, pinning William with a death stare.
"Daddy!"Teresa gasps, her hands coming up to cover her mouth, as does Madre and Melody. Father and William stare at each other past Madre, their eyes locking and years of tension implode in the room.
"Get over it, Richard. Please," William implores, holding his hand out. "I ambeggingyou. Forgive me. I know I said you're acting like him, but you arenotFather."
Father's eyes leave William's to pin me, and the pain in them chills me to the bone. He looks at me as if he doesn't even see me.
"And Mason's just likeyou.No wonder he'll pick you over us. Abandoning his ownfather."His eyes go to William's again as thecolor in his face deepens. "Genetics are funny, aren't they?" His eyes go back to mine as he turns towards me. "If you leave out that room don't even bother coming back because if you do, I am done with you, too."
