Page 80 of Vengeance

Vengeance barely noticed anything going on around him because he only had one target. He ran into the mansion and quickly looked around. He had only been there once, but it looked exactly as he remembered, with its marble floors, imported paintings, and crystal chandeliers. The place was a prison disguised as luxury. It was where Dante had kept most of the women he trafficked, and the thought of them having to endure his father made Vengeance sick.

He climbed the grand staircase, towards where he knew Dante's office was. He pushed the massive doors open and found Dante waiting inside—alone. A glass of bourbon rested beside him. "So.” He smiled. “My son finally came home."

"I never had a home,” he spat. “Not until I met Chloe.”

Dante leaned back. "I fed you."

"You owned me,” he said, the memory making him sick.

"I taught you everything that you know,” Dante insisted.

"You tortured me,” Vengeance countered.

"I made you strong."

"You taught me how to survive hell,” he said.

Rain beat against the windows, and Dante slowly stood. "You know what disappoints me?"

"I don't care,” Vengeance growled.

"You could've ruled beside me,” his father said. That was a lie, and he knew it. Dante wouldn’t allow anyone to share the spotlight with him.

"I'd rather burn down everything you built than rule beside you, Dante,” Vengeance spat.

Dante laughed. "I expected you to say that." He poured another glass. "Drink?"

"No,” Vengeance breathed.

"Pity." He sipped calmly. "I assume that you know that they're arresting senators downstairs."

"Yep,” Vengeance said.

"Judges too—and my accountants. But none of that matters,” he said with a smile, “because I’ve already won.”

Vengeance frowned. "You can't believe that."

"Oh, I do." Dante spread his arms. "Empires don't die—they simply change owners."

Vengeance shook his head. "You're wrong."

"No, I’m not." He looked almost amused. "Power never disappears. It only moves, but you know that because I taught you that."

Vengeance took another step towards his father. "Savage taught me something better." Dante's smile faded. "He taught me that men get to choose who they become."

"He filled your head with fairy tales,” Dante said.

"He showed me what family looks like,” Vengeance countered.

Dante's face hardened. "Family?” He barked out his laugh. “Do you really think that Bowie will accept you as part of his family?”

"I know he will. Hell, he already has," Vengeance admitted.

"He isn't your blood."

"No, he’s not.” Vengeance smiled. "He's something better."

Dante slammed the glass onto the desk. "I gave you life!"