Page 35 of All Your Lies
I walk between my sister and Alexa. “You look beautiful, Lex,” I whisper in Alexa’s ear before looking forward and smiling into the lens.
We’ve never mentioned the moment we shared in the game room that night a year ago.
It will always be a core memory for me, something I’ve replayed many times.
The moment she found out about her arranged marriage to Marco, our relationship underwent a shift. It was like a dagger to my heart. I had no hope.
“Are you girls ready to go? The limo’s here,” Mom says with a wide smile.
Mom’s always gone against my father to make sure Rosie got all the experiences she never had, including the homecoming dance the girls are going to tonight. One Marco and I could have gone to if my father hadn’t forbidden it.
The girls walk by and I give them one last hug before they’re off.
As we sit down to dinner later that night, my father gets a call.
One that would change the course of my life forever.
Someone died in a car crash, a hit and run, to be more exact.
Witnesses saw the driver, and it was someone who looked just like me, but wasn’t me.
Within the next hour, I turn myself in for a crime I never committed.
My brother is due to reign over the kingdom my father has kept alive for decades.
Marco had already fucked up too much, and this couldn’t be swept under the rug with bribes and money. Something the families have used to their advantage for decades.
Someone had to pay for the crime.
I was the expendable second-born son.
Never did I hate my brother or father more than the moment the bars clicked closed in my cell.
I was never the same after that day.
The devil in me was summoned forth to lead in my vendetta.
A new monster was born, which rivaled the one I always kept locked away.
Present
“How did you suppose treating her like shit would bring her my way?”
“Isn’t she already in your territory?” he asks knowingly before he grins.
The fucker’s been watching us. Although I’m certain he’s only been to my club today. I have cameras all over the place. His sniffing around and watching her unsettles me. I’ll have to check her place the next time I sneak in and make sure my cameras are the only ones in residence.
“All you’re showing is that you’re a stalker bitch.”
“A stalker bitch who’s trying to make things right.” He grins.
I don’t like his grin; it puts me on edge.
“And why don’t you want the empire you’ve been groomed to take over?”
“You know I’ve never wanted it. I just went with it to get the old man off my case. I’m not meant to lead.”
“And what makes you think I am?” I ask with a raised brow.
