Page 141 of Bite Me

There’s a challenge in his eyes, specifically for me, as he waits for me to continue. I’m playing his game and he’s calling my bluff.

“Check the next page. Does Matthew Bromen ring a bell for you? What about Cassandra Elliot? Or Ferris Cameron?”

He reads the pages in silence, and slowly, that faraway look cracks. His brow dips, and then he slides a nervous thumb over his chin.

“The Donor Program wasn’t happy to hear about it this morning. The president didn’t believe me, but he knew I was serious when I took a jet to see him.”

That’s the one sore spot he never thought I’d hit. I see the wheels turning in his head as he goes through each scenario. There is no exit this time.

“You’re bluffing.” The impressed enthusiasm sours into a frown.

“Look out the window.”

In the window behind him, I see a few flashing lights, and can hear the cars pulling up now, which means he can too.

“The authorities were pleased when I provided the evidence that helped revive Matthew’s cold case this morning, enough to make you their number one suspect.”

He scoffs, but the impressed smirk returns to his lips. “Do you think this is enough? You should be sure before you threaten people.”

“Oh, I know. Don’t worry. You’ve taught me well. I know you’re going to get away with it. Even with the evidence against you, you have enough money to get a reduced sentence, if convicted. But knowing you, you’ll deny it to the bitter end or take a plea deal. You’ll probably pull some strings and get out for miraculously good behavior. But before they take you to prison to start that process, I suggest you transfer your rights to the company. You know, with the bad press that the court filings will bring, it’s the only thing that will keep the Everhart name in good standing. Isn’t that what you really care about? What you’ve always cared about?”

He flips through the files, searching for an out. But this time, I have him cornered in three ways. A man who has spent his whole life building up his legacy must now sacrifice it for the chance that the Everhart name stays clean.

“I never thought this day would come.” He downs his glass of whiskey. “I’ll admit I didn’t think it would be you. I thought for sure your sister would be the one.”

“She’s here too. The lawyers are staying with my estate, so you’ll need to find your own. I’ll be taking over and splitting up the estate between Daniel, Florence, and me. I’ll work something out with John and Uncle.”

They’re waiting just outside in the culinary lounge. By now, the news about the authorities has spread across campus with crowds waiting outside on the lawn with their phones ready to catch a glimpse at the source of such a spectacle.

A wide smile stretches across his face. “I was right. You are the true heir. Many advised me to choose John or your brother here, but they never had what you have: the strength to stand in front of another man and threaten him. Do you remember what you said to me on your thirteenth birthday?”

“Don’t let him fuck with you,” Daniel warns beside me.

His hand rests reassuringly on my shoulder.

“No.” I don’t remember much about any of my birthdays.

“You were helping me prepare dinner for the party, but you’d been quiet all day. When I finally asked you what was wrong, you turned to me holding a knife in your hand, and told me that if I didn’t treat your little sister with respect, you would cut me down. I was so shocked at first, then so unbelievably proud. That’s the kind of man you need to be to carry on the name. That’s what my father taught me, and his father taught him. I never saw it in my own children, no matter how hard I pushed them. But that day in the kitchen, I knew. You have the darkness the Everhart name requires. There are so many things I haven’t told you about our history. I hoped you would be ready one day. Perhaps it’s time—”

His brows draw together just as the door cracks open and Florence and my lawyers walk in, along with Marjorie. I told Florence she was only allowed to come in if she promised to keep herself contained.

“Hello, Clyde.” Florence struts in with her mousy brown hair bouncing in a ponytail and beams. “You look like you’ve had better days.”

I sigh, giving Florence a warning look.

“The authorities are here, sir,” Marjorie says. “They seem to be waiting on the lawn for you.”

“You can thank me for that. Out of the kindness of my heart, I spared you the dignity of being dragged from your office.”

It’s more than he ever afforded any of the lives he ruined.

“I wouldn’t speak another word if I were you. I may not be able to prove it now, but I know what you did to my parents.”

By now the potion should be working. I gave a hefty dose.

“You’re going to sign this contract right now, or I promise that I will dig into every corner of Vviveren and find the evidence to connect you to my parents’ death and make sure you stay locked away. Do you want to gamble that you didn’t slip up somewhere?”

His cold eyes drift toward me. “I’ll be down in a moment after I sign some paperwork.”