Page 71 of The Heart of a Villain

Which was not surprising after the scandal involving Emmaline King.

“Not interested.” I salute the receptionist, who just gapes at us, and head to the revolving door, ready to put it all behind me. “Stay away from me. Next time, I will not be so nice about it.” As it is, I’ve displayed an endless amount of patience toward a person my father once called a snake.

He hated his twin so much, and strangely, Mom supported his opinion, going so far as to warn us to never trust him.

A weird sensation nags my mind; however, I don’t have the chance to focus on it, as he calls my name from behind, “Rush, we need to talk.” I ignore him, focusing on the doors. “You have to listen to me.” A beat passes, and then he shouts, “Lachlan killed your parents!”

I stop dead in my tracks as people pass us by, shocked expressions on their faces, and rage overpowers my entire system.

Spinning around, I grit out through my teeth, “What did you say?”

He straightens up, lifting his chin, while a stubborn look settles on his features. “Lachlan killed your parents.”

My laughter reverberates through the space, mocking and deadly in its nature. No one smears the name of my mentor with such dirt.

No one.

Lachlan gave me everything, so I don’t hesitate to tell this asshole, “My parents must have been right. You’re indeed a snake.” He snarls at this, his hands fisting. “You’ll spit out any bullshit if it ensures I actually play family with you.” I lean closer to him. “Stop while you can, or you will regret ever going against Lachlan Scott.”

Because whoever goes against him goes against me.

“Very well,” he says and takes out a folder from underneath his jacket, practically shoving it at me. “Read it then. And if after this you still believe him over me, then you aren’t your mother’s son.” With this, he walks off, leaving me holding the folder I intend to burn because what he says cannot be true.

Lachlan didn’t even know who I was. How could he have killed my parents?

However, despite all the respect I have for him, I curiously flip open the folder, and the information there destroys my world for the second time.

And I lose one more family, only this time around, the people I trusted the most deceived me in ways I could never imagine.

Over the years, Lachlan inspired different emotions within me.

At first, it was bravery, respect, and loyalty.

He was a man who might’ve been a sinner but was a sinner with a moral code and would do anything for those he considered his.

And then it was betrayal, hurt, and pain.

However, no matter my emotions, one thing always stayed the same.

His absolute and unshakable power.

Until the day I took something he valued the most in this life.

His daughter.

Ironic, isn’t it?

Aileen was supposed to be his downfall.

Instead, she became mine.

Aileen

Something soft and warm glides over my skin, breaking goose bumps on my flesh while awakening every nerve in my body, sending tingling sensations all over me.

A giggle slips past my lips when the softness slides to my stomach, rubbing along the sensitive spots, and my eyes snap open to clash with emerald-green ones that have a wicked light in them.

“Good morning, princess,” he whispers, moving the rose in his hand lower, the petals connecting with my skin, and while his scent fills my nose, he looms above me. “Time to wake up.” Despite the passion and desire coating his voice, a serious expression etches on his features that speaks about the upcoming storm that’s his mood change.

---