Page 49 of Ruthless Knight

The fucker has nothing of worth to his name, but I gave Aurora the warning to stay away from him because I’m possessive that way.

I arrive at Grayson Inc. twenty minutes later and get changed for work. I always keep a set of clothes here for days like this when I need them.

On my way to my grandfather’s office, I spot Bastian in the foyer.

The fact he’s leaning against the wall in the far corner, with his eyes fixed on me as predacious as a vulture, suggests he was waiting for me.

The blood-thirsty look deepens the closer I get. Usually, I ignore him. Over the years, we’ve never had anything to say to each other, except insults that cut skin deep.

Those decreased after a few New Year’s Eves ago when I beat the shit out of him for calling my mother a slut. His broken bones, missing teeth, and the lengthy stay in the hospital put him in his place and showed him not to mess with me or mine ever again.

I suppose, given the uncertain circumstances of what’s going on with our legacy, he’s decided confronting me is worth the risk.

The look on his face is so potent I can’t keep walking by, so I stop.

He gives me a mocking smile, filled with a deadly cocktail of venom and rage.

“I know what you and the old man are up to.” His tone is accusatory, reflecting the look on his face.

Now, what do I say here?

I could easily tell him to fuck the hell off, or I could say nothing, but I want to indulge the part of me that feels I should say something.

“And what is that?” I square my shoulders and keep my gaze riveted to him, gearing up for a fight if it comes to that.

“You know what I fucking mean.” He pushes off the wall and inches closer. His second mistake. His first was to speak to me. “Grandfather wants you to get the company, doesn’t he? As usual, he’s always taking pity on the bastard children. Especiallyyou.”

Words like that don’t bother me anymore. But they used to. They used to slice into my heart like a jagged-edged knife. Now they roll off my back like sweat.

My guess is his presence here and decision to confront me, means he’s desperate for intel. He and our father obviously couldn’t figure out what I’ve been up to, but they know my actions over the past week could only be for one reason—getting the company.

“What the fuck do you want?” I decide to get to the crux of the shit.

“I want to tell you that no matter what you do and what happens, I’ll find a way to take everything from you. All the things you think you’ll have and all the things you shouldn’t have had.”

The fool is foolish enough to get up in my face. His only advantage is his height. He’s as tall as I am, but that’s it. He doesn’t have the muscles or an ounce of the brains I have.

“It seems you’ve forgotten the last lesson I taught you. I’m more than happy to give you a reminder.” With the rage of a bull, I take a step forward. Another step would allow me to ram my head into his and knock him out before he could take his next breath. “Doesn’t seem as if you got the message last time to stay the fuck away.”

“That’s enough,” comes the harsh arctic voice of our father.

The sound of his heavy footsteps has us both turning toward him.

Tobias Grayson is standing by the largest pillar, staring at me with all the hatred in the world. It would be a cold day in Hell before we actually acknowledge each other as father and son, but damn.

“Bastian, we have a meeting at ten for the Japanese project.” Although he’s talking to Bastian, he hasn’t looked away from me. I’m still looking at him too. “I need you to get everything ready.”

“Yes, Father.” Bastian moves away from me, most likely pissed that we didn’t get to finish what he started.

I keep my gaze on our father, and it feels like we’re in an old-fashioned duel.

A challenge, yet a threat for the man who looks away first.

Normally, I keep my distance from him. And we never talk. Not even when I put Bastian in the hospital.

He said nothing to me then because he knew I was right. But what’s he going to say now?

Fuck that. I’m not waiting to find out. Whatever it is won’t be anything good, so I might as well have my say first.

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