Page 28 of All Your Lies
My brother Marco and I are in my father’s office. As we’ve grown, we’ve been coming in here more and more lately for meetings, as my father likes to call them.
Most include unpleasant teaching methods that leave us with scars. Mentally and physically.
I hate the motherfucker I call my father. He’s so formal and detached from his emotions. One day, I’m going to kill him. Mom will be upset. Which is the only reason I haven’t tried it yet. I still don’t understand what my mother sees in him. He’s an intimidating man, well over six feet, with dark features, a god complex, and a sadistic mind.
We’re learning about the family business and what our roles will be in the organization once we’re of age in a few short years.
The future we have ahead of us will be very dark. A broad spectrum of very illegal and morally black activities we will not only take part in, but reign over. One that I will try to keep mysister, Ro, away from. She’s not meant for this life. She’s meant for her happily ever after she always talks about with hearts in her eyes.
“You can’t be serious, Dad,” Marco says with an upset huff.
“What gave you any indication I’ve ever been anything besides serious?”
“I don’t want to marry her. I barely even like her.”
My heated gaze swings to my brother like he’s grown a second head. He’s such a douche.
“I don’t give a fuck whether you like her or not. It’s your duty as a part of this family.”
“Why does it have to be me? Why can’t it be him?” My brother hikes his finger over at me.
“I’ll do it,” I say with a shrug, not giving away how on edge I am. Alexa isn’t someone who should be discarded. She’s special. Any man who ends up with her one day should be thrilled. She has an amazing personality, is pretty, and makes me laugh.
“Absolutely not. Your brother was the firstborn and will take the responsibility. You will be his right hand, and I will find you someone suitable to marry when the time comes.”
“He was born three minutes before me. That’s hardly considered the old—”
“I refuse to listen to this anymore. The decision is final.” My father cuts me off and lays down the law. “Now leave and change your attitudes before I find a way to change them.” With that, we’re dismissed.
We make our way out of the office and up to the game room, which also houses a huge theater screen.
Laughter carries from down the hall, and I instantly make out Alexa’s sweet little laugh. A lovely melody that always brings a smile to my face.
They’re sitting on the overstuffed white couches and watching some comedy that has them rolling. Alexa’s wholeface lights up, and her eyes sparkle when she laughs. I can’t help but watch her with awe.
Marco comes up to my side. “This whole thing blows. Why do I have to be the oldest?”
“This isn’t a bad thing. You’re lucky you’re ending up with her. At least you’ve known her all your life. She won’t be a stranger you have to marry,” I say in a hushed tone. I don’t want her to know any of this. It would upset her if she learned Marco’s opinion of her.
“You should marry her then,” Marco says with a bite in his tone.
“I tried. You heard our father,” I say with displeasure.
I don’t see what the big deal is. If we have to marry into her family, why can’t it be me? My father’s reasoning makes little sense, but nothing ever does with him. It’s like he hates me and wants me to be miserable.
“You didn’t try hard enough. You never do. I’ll figure out a way to change this on my own. No way I’m letting this happen,” he says with one last scathing look over at Alexa before walking out.
I swear I want to strangle him. He doesn’t deserve to be a leader or have her. He’s weak and lazy.
I make my way over to the girls and decide to sit closer to Alexa on purpose.
Like I always do.
We’re about two feet apart, but the moment I sit down, I get that same feeling. The electricity that zaps between her and me.
The yearning to get closer to her, to touch her, keeps me on edge for the rest of the movie.
Rosie has since fallen asleep and is lightly snoring on the chaise lounge along the other side of the couch.
