Page 14 of Endgame
Aurora is a gorgeous young woman. A temptation. When I fuck her, I’m going to enjoy myself.
But her breasts, her bitable lips, the swell of her hips, they’re nothing more than a perk.
I would’ve put her in this position even if I weren’t attracted to her.
Avenging my family is my endgame.
That’s what’s waiting for her.
Shame, really, that she’s alone here. Her parents won’t witness my plan as it unfolds. They’ll hear about it later, though, and that’s fine.
I’m in no rush.
I’ve been patient for the past twenty-three years.
For the first twelve years of those, my family and I had been looking for Lotus and her baby.
Then, one day, her remains were found. Her baby’s weren’t, though the coroner told us they must be out there since it was evident that Lotus had delivered her child.
The next day, Mom died of a heart attack, and a few weeks later, so did Dad. The doctors said their hearts just gave out for no apparent reason.
There was a reason, all right.
Grief.
It was then that I went to clear their home before selling it and getting rid of the devastating memories.
What I found there was equally heartbreaking.
Lotus’s diary.
Heat courses through my body as I remember the words written in a shaky script.
I loved Winston Clarke, and he raped me.
I could’ve murdered Winston and been done with it. God knows I’m wealthy enough to cover my tracks.
Torturing him and his family far outweighs a quick death.
“Umm,” Aurora starts, then snaps her mouth shut, her lips twisting.
Then she changes in front of me. Her thick lashes bat on soft cheeks as she blinks furiously. Rage that matches mine reflects in her expression.
Her chest heaves. Her breasts stretch against her expensive suit jacket.
I don’t want her. Pure, feral attraction, that’s all there is to it.
“Your Honor?” her attorney tries again.
Sticking to my silence, I terrorize both him and her for a while longer.
My eyes are locked on her blue ones. Aurora senses my hate growing, tugging on the collar of her blouse. She manages to be graceful despite her predicament.
“Shoplifting or not, she’s crossed too many lines for too long. The law offers me discretion. I intend to use it to the fullest extent and beyond, if necessary.” A fresh wave of resolve hardens my chest. “While the world’s been content to look the other way, I will not.”
“Your Honor, Sir.” Larry’s voice is lower. I hear it, regardless. The courtroom has been deadly silent since I announced Aurora’s sentence. Even the ADA stares at me, stunned. “May I approach the bench?”
The right answer to that would beyou may.
