Page 101 of Takeover
"I don't need to be cryptic, Atticus.I'll tell you what's on it.But you're going to want to verify before you have Pierce and your baby brother take a look at it.How is my other son, by the way?”
"He says fuck you."
My father flashed a smile that was all too similar to my own."That also sounds about right.So here's what's on this.That night five years ago when your mother had her unfortunate break from reality, she murdered someone.I have proof."
Those three words locked me down.Rooted me to the spot.
I knew what was on the flash drive, but how the fuck did he know?"Bullshit."
"You think I would do all this, make a play to come back if I’m bluffing?You must not understand how satisfying it is to prove you wrong.Honestly, I'd go to any lengths."
"Get out."
“Fine, but you and I both know the truth.That evidence will go to the police, and they'll come for your mother.They'll put her in prison or an insane asylum.I really don’t care which because either way, she'll suffer, and that is all I ever wanted in life.Then they’ll come after you and your little friends for covering it up."
"You fucking monster.What do you want?"
"I'm glad you asked.I'm not asking for too much.The girl.I know you’re not marrying her because you believe in matrimony.You discovered your grandfather’s clause.You think if you can convince everyone you’re a steady family man, they won’t bring a vote of no confidence against you.Well, you’d be wrong.I still have friends on that board.And in three month’s time when you hit thirty and aren’t married, your shares revert to me.
The dread slithered in my gut.“I am marrying her.”
“Okay then.It’s honestly sort of a relief.Knowledge of this murder has been weighing on me.”
“Fuck you.”
His maniacal grin gave me chills.“The mother or the fiancée?You can only have one.I’m being generous letting you keep one.If you save your mother, things go easier for you.In three months’ time, you will vote for my return.You keep your voting shares, but Pendragon will be run by somebody who knows what they are doing.”
“And if I pick Gwen?”
“I expose the sham for what it is to the board.They vote no confidence on you, I get your voting shares.The prodigal father returns, remorseful and better than ever.Oh, and I kill her and you mother.”
My blood ran cold.“You’re insane.”
"I could sit back and do nothing except watch you crash and burn.But God, I really want to come back knowing that I destroyed you, that you fell at my hands.It would be much more satisfying."
"So what… You think I'm going to let you come back?"
"No.I think you're still going to try to fight it.But do so at your loved ones peril.”
I didn't even know what happened then.Time slowed, or sped up, or I lost the thread completely.Fuck it.All I knew was that I had my hands in his lapels, dragging him up, and slamming him against the glass."If you fucking touch them, I will end you."My voice came out like shards of glass.
He grinned at me.That evil, feral grin that I had seen so many times when he abused my mother."If you marry Gwen tomorrow, this evidence goes to the police.If you try and block me from coming back, this evidence goes to the police.So choose.The woman you were fool enough to fall for or your mother."
Fury had me vibrating ."You're a piece of shit."
"You're not the first person to tell me that."
He shoved against me, and I released him.
Gwen.I had to get her out of the city if she was on his radar.My mother.I had to get to her.Get her the fuck out of town.Away.We had a contingency plan for something like this, but fuck.
"Look, you can try and hide your mother all you want, but the evidence on there also points to the cover-up, so there goes your shot at running Pendragon.You have your board votes, of course.There's not much I can do about that.But she can't vote in your favor if she's not here.And if she is here, she'll go to jail.So it's up to you.Protect your mother, or get married tomorrow and fight me.But I will be pushing for a vote of no confidence, and you will have the fight of your life."
He dusted off his lapels."I'm going to go now.You have until tonight to make up your mind.I am eager to see what you'll choose."
Chapter38
Gwen
