Page 105 of Reign By Wrath

“You tell her this had nothing to do with me, you hear me? This was all you. I didn’t want this, nor did I have a part in it.”

“But, Daddy—”

“Stay away from us. Don’t ever contact me again.”

Click.

“Dad? Daddy?”

Everleigh called back once. Twice. Half a dozen times.

The phone rang and rang while she wailed and cried, pouring desperate pleas and explanations to a man who wouldn’t answer.

I looked on in stoic satisfaction. Any other person on any other day, and my heart would swell with pity. I’d hug her and say what a bastard that man was for abandoning the daughter who loved him. I’d say he deserved everything he had coming to him.

But this bitch killed my father and sister. She’d get no pity from me.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

Everleigh raised watery, swollen eyes to me.

“Forgive me, but I did give you a choice,” I said lightly. “I told you either you confessed and took the easy option, or I’d be forced to rip your heart out.”

“This can’t b-be true. That wasn’t him. My father wouldn’t—”

“That was him. You made sure of it yourself, so don’t go spinning any fairy tales now. Not a single lie you tell yourself will make up for the fact that you lied, blackmailed, andkilledall for a man who wasn’t dead!” Everleigh flinched. “Ten years, and he’s been two hours away from you the whole time.

“For that deadbeat pig, you killed my father. You had my sister tortured and raped—”

“I didn’t know he’d rape her!”

“You didn’t want to know,” I screamed, hauling Everleigh to her feet and shaking her. “You threw money and status at them, then sat back to watch the show. You didn’t care what they did as long as they got the job done.

“It was you, Everleigh.Youdestroying innocent lives.Youbetraying your best friends.Youbringing misery to everyone who has the misfortune of knowing you. And for what? For nothing!”

Racking sobs heaved her chest, rattling her in my grip. “I’m sorry. Oh God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I swear, I wouldn’t have done it if I’d known.”

“You think I give a fuck about your sorry?” Pain laced my words. “Sorry doesn’t bring Winter and Alistair back. Your sorry is worthless, but your confession isn’t. Admit what you’ve done— Shut up,” I snapped, finally silencing her wailing. “Admit what you’ve done. Admit you burned down the Gallery and get that poor guy out of jail. Tell the captain all the evidence against my guys is fabricated. Confess your part in making the T.O.D. Club what it is.”

“But I can’t.”

“Yes, you can, Everleigh. You’ve done so much wrong for so long. Now is your chance to do the right thing. To give the people you’ve hurt a chance to heal. In the end, your father’s true nature as a self-serving bastard won out, but you don’t have to be like him. Please,” I said, the first trace of gentleness entering my tone. “If you’re truly sorry, then this is your chance to make it right. You don’t have to be the person you’ve been anymore.”

“Okay,” she gasped. “Okay. Get your phone. I’ll... record everything. Everything I’ve done. It’s time I make it right.”

I released her and went to get my phone from where it had dropped beside the bed.

A blast of cold air hit my neck, turning my head around. “What—?”

Everleigh stepped out onto the balcony.

“Everleigh? Everleigh, no!”

Climbing onto the rail, she jumped off.

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