Page 55 of Live To Tell

“You mean he wanted Dorian here to stop someone from killing Kai,” I say, and Eloise frowns at me.

Well, it’s true. The moment Kai explained he’s joining the family business now he’s eighteen—against his will or not—the reason for my parents’ presence here clicked into place. Sawyer’s still worried for Kai’s safety and a human bodyguard wouldn’t be much defense against another witch attack. Nobody would dare attack if Dorian Blackwood’s at the party.

And if Josef’s here in an official capacity, what’s his involvement?

Lost in my deductions, mind wandering towards new theories, I miss most of Sawyer’s little speech that’s met with polite laughter from some. Rowan nudges me and points at the slender wineglass on the table in front of me. Confused by his gesture, I miss the toast to Kai, instead intently watching the disgruntled teen walk towards his father.

“Now you may wonder why my attorney is with me tonight,” says Sawyer.

“I certainly do,” says Dorian and Sawyer slides him an uneasy look.

Kai digs hands into his trouser pockets and edges away from where his father slings an arm around his shoulders.

“Kai’s always known that as soon as he turns eighteen, I’ll sign the whole of Sawyer Industries operations over to him and step down.” Beside me, Rowan half-chokes on the wine he’d decided to finish after the toast, whereas Kai stares down at his shiny black shoes. “Now, I know what you’re all thinking—I’m handing a big responsibility to someone so young. But I’ll naturally be around to help out. If I can cope with my son as my boss.”

A smattering of false laughter crosses the room, and Josef smiles before reaching into the briefcase beside him. He pulls out a set of white papers and edges over to the two Sawyers.

“The sly bastard,” mutters Dorian.

“Josef?” asks Eloise.

“No. Sawyer. He’s removing himself from the business publicly and as soon as he can. Whatever’s behind all this, Sawyer wants the handover to go ahead uninterrupted.”

“Exactly,” I say and nod. “My thoughts too.”

“Yeah, but Kai isn’t interested,” says Rowan, and sits straighter.

“I don’t think he’ll have a choice,” comments Dorian.

Josef lays the papers out onto the small lectern, and Sawyer produces a shiny silver pen from the inside of his jacket. Kai remains still. With a flourish, Sawyer signs the papers and holds the pen towards his son.

“Kai?”

No movement. Is Kai bewitched or merely drunk? Because the guy now stares across the room, disconnected from events.

“Kai, sweetheart,” says Mrs. Sawyer gently, and presses her fingers to his hand.

He blinks back to reality and looks to his father, mouth set in a thin line. “No.”

The word drops like a bomb into the middle of Sawyer’s plans, temporarily stunning him. “We discussed this,” he says and looks furtively at the now more-interested guests.

“I don’t want this,” he continues. “I’ve told you and Mum—I’m not signing anything. I’ve other things I want to do with my life.”

Sawyer grips his son’s upper arm. “You don’t have to do anything,” he whispers. “This is your inheritance, that’s all.”

“Don’t you need to die for me to inherit shit?” he asks.

Rowan sucks in a breath, and I eagerly await the next response. Guests may’ve missed Sawyer’s whisper, but everybody heard Kai.

“The business and land become yours once you turn eighteen. You know that.” Sawyer gives a flat, tight smile to those gathered.

Land.

I exchange looks with Dorian again.

Seems Kai isn’t the only one who ‘knows that’ because this points a flashing arrow at Kai and the reason for attempts on life.

“Sign the papers, sweetheart,” cajoles his mother.

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