Page 9 of Vengeful

Dad chuckled.

It took me a second to realise why. Of course, how could I be so stupid?

Hunter chuckled. "Cute that you didn't think we'd tamper with any recording equipment you have in the house before we stepped through the door."

For half a second, Dad actually looked surprised, possibly even slightly impressed. That faded quickly.

"Was that Lila's idea?"

"I'm starting to think you're missing the point," Hunter told him. "Lila and the three of us are a team. Whether you like us or not doesn't matter. Parker, Slade and me intend to stand by Lila's side forever. Before you say that takes her out of the running, remember Chloe is very attached to Dane DiMarco."

Dad's lips twitched with displeasure. "Poor taste in relationships notwithstanding, Lila needs to stand on her own two feet. So does Chloe."

"Is that what this is about?" I demanded. "You'll only be happy when I'm alone?"

"Possibly," he said vaguely. "Possibly not. Whoever ends up leading the family needs to learn how to answer to themselves. Not to anyone with the surname Brantley, or DiMarco. Or Lincoln," he added after a moment.

Hunter tipped his head back and laughed. "You actually think she answers to us? You really don't know her at all if that's what you believe."

Dad stared at him, his face expressionless. "If I were you, all of you, I'd focus on the upcoming trials. That will be the real test."

His expression gave me chills. What could he, or the school board, throw at me that was worse than anything he'd already done? What could Chloe try to do to me?

Mercenaries, dark rooms, being kidnapped, drugged and almost blown up by a teddy bear. How the fuck could anything be worse than any of that?

"We're very much focusing on those," Hunter said. "I have complete faith in Lila to kick ass and get through the trials without breaking a sweat."

"So do I," Parker said.

"Me as well," Slade said, his voice low and deep. "I presume we can't leave with an assurance you won't test Lila again before the trials."

"Of course not," Dad said. "Everyone here knows that complacency in this life gets you dead. It seems as though that lesson hasn't fully sunk in. You might be better off assuming something is coming. Hopefully this time Lila won't disappoint me."

He fixed his gaze on me, his eyes colder than chips of ice. "She knows what happens when she disappoints me."

Hunter grabbed Parker before he lunged at Dad.

"You won't be doing anything to Lila," Hunter's tone matched Dad's. "Like Slade said, killing is easy."

"Don't threaten me, you little prick," Dad growled. "I could have you killed before you step foot out the door. That would immediately reduce two of my problems."

Rather than being intimidated, Hunter took a step forward. "I happen to have a big prick, but thanks for bringing my cock into the conversation. I think you might be threatened in that department."

I grimaced. The last thing I wanted to think about was my father's body parts. Especially that one.

"I suggest you get out." Dad's eyes flashed an angry warning. "The next time I see Lila, I expect her to have done better."

I gave him a long look before I followed the guys out the door.

CHAPTER 4

SLADE

"I don't know what the fuck he wants." Lila kicked a foot full of sand away from her. "He doesn't want us to kill each other, but nothing else is good enough. Am I missing something?" She glanced over at me.

I draped an arm over her shoulders. "If you are, then so am I. I've heard he was… Difficult. I get the distinct impression whatever you do, he'll poke holes in it. Even where there are no holes."

"Maybe that's the point." She looked so defeated. "There are always holes. Whatever I do, there's always something not quite right." She sighed and leaned against me. "It's more than that though.EverythingI do is wrong."

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