Page 30 of Chance

"In that apartment are two women, one in each room, and you’re going to look after them,” he says as he clicks our doors open with his keys. We all get out, and our father comes to stand right in front of us. He is wearing a full suit, his head is completely shaved, making his sharp face look scary to everyone. That’s on top of the tattoos showing on his neck and his dark-green eyes that look hollow.

"What the fuck does that mean?" I ask with a harsh tone, sick of his games, and father moves in to my face.

I brace myself as his fist slams into my stomach. I force myself not to make a sound as he watches me. I glance at Elliot, who shakes his head at me. I know he is warning me to be quiet.

"What do you want us to do?" Elliot asks tersely.

Elliot has changed this last year. We both ignored our birthday, and we have worked hard to be as built-up as we can. Anything to be able to fight back, rather than letting Dad think he has won.

"Like I said, they want to be shown a good time. They are two of my friends’ wives, and, well, they saw you." He stops as my throat closes.

I panic, looking at Elliot, who doesn't even seem bothered as he replies, "Fine."

"Good, now go. Number ten," our father saysas he climbs back into his carand I follow Elliot. We walk until we are standing in front of the apartment, with the door slightly open.

"You love Maisy, right?" he asks, taking his leather jacket off and handing it to me.

"Yeah, I can't do this. Fuck, I can't. I haven't even slept with Maisy yet,"I tell him.

"I know, stay outside, and I’ll deal with them." Elliot pats my shoulder.

"Them both? What about Lily?" I ask. Elliot has a long-term girlfriend. They do break up a lot, but I think they are together now. I can't let my brother do this.Maybe I can take enough of Father’s attention so that he will only kick the shit out of me when I tell him no.

"I don't love her, and this isn't the first time. It's not that bad," he frowns as I ask.

"What the fuck do you mean ‘not the first time’?"

"He makes a lot of money doing this, Seb. We look similar enough with our dark hair and features, so they won't notice if I order them around a little. Some women like that. The women in that room will."

"Bro, I can't let you do this. I’ll figure something out,” I mutter quickly as Elliot walks around me and slams the door shut. I hear him lock it on the other side.

An hour later, Elliot walks out looking like death with freshly showered hair, and we walk in silence to a nearby road as I call a taxi to collect us.

"You all right?" I finally ask as we wait.

"'No," Elliot replies as he takes his jacket back from me.

"Want to do something to forget today?" I ask, wanting to distract him.

"Like what?" he asks, looking more relaxed as he realises I’m not going to make him talk to me.

"Let’s get a tattoo. I have those fake ID’s, and there’s a fuck load of cash in our banks."I smirk at him.

"Might as well use our mother’s money for something long-term."

"Unlike her," I mutter, finishing his thought as he shows me a rare smile.

The cab pulls up, and I tell them the name of the tattoo parlour Luke has been working at as an intern.

"When we are older, make sure I'm never fucking like him," Elliot says with a glance in my direction as the cab drives us away from this form of hell.

"Promise me the same, bro," I tell him.

"You got it, brother, us Kings need to stay together."He pats my shoulder.

"That's what Harley always says. I think he is right."

"He is." Elliot chuckles as we both try to move past the bad day.

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