Page 4 of Wicked Titan

“Nope. I prefer to be in control, so no one is driving my car except for me.”

I watch as the gate opens, allowing access to the private road lined with mansions just as extravagant as the one I’m being held prisoner in.

“How about you? Do you like driving? We can get you a vehicle if you’d prefer to drive yourself to school.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “My dad bought me a car.”

“Good deal. I’ll make arrangements for it to be brought here. Or I can take you to get it if you are a control freak like me,” he chuckles, swerving down the winding road as picture-perfect homes pass in a blur.

“It doesn’t run.” Even though the 1960 Corvette clearly hadn’t revved to life since long before my existence, the look on my dad’s face when he surprised me with my dream car was more perfect as the gift itself. Being that I usually went everywhere with Haley or Mason, I’d never been in a hurry to get my own ride up and running. Plus, I enjoyed the hours Dad and I spent working on the Corvette together. “It was our project.”

“Oh.” The smile fades from his face. “Well, we can have it brought over in case you want to work on it someday. Maybe we can work on it together, if you need help.”

I know he’s being kind, and unlike Candace, hadn’t asked to be a part of this disaster. He’d just been unlucky enough to be roped in by her. “Thanks.”

“I was ten when my mom died.” Nathan stares ahead as his hand grips the steering wheel. “But I remember how I felt hearing the words like it was yesterday.”

“I’m sorry.” A pang of guilt hits me. Ten? It’s hard enough to lose my dad at seventeen, I couldn’t imagine losing him at ten.

“I meant what I said. One day it will be easier to breathe. The hole never goes away but you’ll learn how to live with it.” Nathan hesitantly looks over at me. “And your mom is right, even if you aren’t her biggest fan right now. Your dad would want you to be happy.”

Biggest fan? Psh … not even in the ballpark. “She’s not my mom.”

“Just give her a chance. Perhaps you two can find some common ground eventually.”

“Yep, and pigs might learn how to fly today too.” I cross my arms, watching out the window. Just when I think Nathan is going to be tolerable, he becomes Candace’s hype man. “Tanner is what, five now? I was seven when she left me, so hopefully you don’t mind being a single dad.”

“If that day were to come, I hope to measure up to Stanley because I know he was a great single dad,” Nathan says with such believable enthusiasm, I look over to see if he’s being for real. “Maybe don’t look at it as her leaving you but as her giving you a chance to get closer to your dad. Do you think the two of you would have the strong bond that you share if your mom hadn’t left?”

“That’s a screwed up way to look at it, but yeah … I’m glad she left.”

“How about a truce? I’ll make you a deal.”

I look over at him to see, once again, if he’s serious. “What?”

“It’s your senior year. How about you stay with us, enjoy what you can of your senior year, and when you graduate, I’ll get you a really great gift.”

Hmph. “There’s no gift worth living with Candace.”

“Not even your childhood home?”

My head snaps in his direction.

“That’s right. If you stay with us until graduation, I’ll purchase the house and give it to you. Free and clear. I’ll even throw in four mil for insurance, taxes, and repairs. Oh, and that pesky college tuition.”

“Four million dollars? Are you insane?”

“Yep. That’s, what, a mil for each year of high school. Not a bad deal if you ask me. And a house, don’t forget about the priceless house.” He smirks, knowing that the house is worth more than the money. “Take some time and think about it. You have a few days before you turn eighteen, so I guess that’s the deadline for a decision.”

“You’re insane,” I mumble, crossing my arms over my chest as the stiff material of my blazer restricts me. Can I really live under the same roof as Candace until May?

“Possibly a smidgen, but I want you to stay. If not for Candace, for Tanner. He has really enjoyed having his big sister around.”

Now he’s playing the adorable little brother card. Another victim weaved into Candace’s web without a choice in the matter. I hate to admit it, but having Tanner around has been nice. I’d always wanted a sibling after being an only child, but Dad hardly dated, much less let another woman into his life again. “I’ll consider it.”

“Awesome,” Nathan says with delight in his voice, like I’ve already caved to his absurd offer.

While I’m gazing out the window, the car comes to a stop in front of a brick structure that looks more like a castle than a high school. My hand rests on the door handle as I watch a sea of maroon pour through the enormous wooden doors of Golden Olympus Academy.