Shattered Dynasty

“I didn’t—”

“Your word means nothing to me. I’ll find out the truth, and until I do, you will live in my house and do as I say.” He walks across the room, and his finger points at a door. “Your belongings have already been put in the closet.”

“You went through my stuff?” I hiss even though I’m admittedly shocked and pleasantly surprised he didn’t throw them out.

“No. I didn’t go through your stuff. A member of my staff did.” He says this like it’s normal for someone else to unpack. It’s not. Even when my sister was with Ronald, my life wasn’t like this.

“How many people do you have employed here?”

“You will meet them later, and you can count for yourself.”

“Why do you have to be such a dick all the time?”

“Because I’m my father’s son. And if you knew the real him, my sunny personality wouldn’t be such a shock.”

“Just get out.”

I storm into the room and start to slam the door. But just as it’s about to close, Trent steps into the doorframe. “I expect you downstairs in my office in thirty minutes.”

“Why?”

“To go over the rest of the rules and stipulations of my house.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. Seriously.” With that, he turns on his heel and leaves, slamming the door behind him on his own.

I guess it could be worse. At least I still have a pulse.

It’s not a convincing pick-me-up, but it’ll have to do. I don’t have the energy to pretty-up my situation.

The sound of the slam echoes around me. Which isn’t surprising, seeing as this room is barren.

If I’m to live here, I’m going to have to spruce it up.

Add a color or two.

Maybe an area rug to help make it feel warmer.

Like a home.

Home . . .

The word makes my heart lurch.

I miss my home.

I wish I lived with Heather.

If I could tell Trent to fuck off, move in with her, live on her couch, and figure out a way to pay for the tuition without his help, I would.

Maybe I can take out a loan with a bank and use the will to show the bank that I’m good for the money. That’s if Trent doesn’t blow through all my cash. Knowing him, he would buy that small country just to spite me.

Probably wouldn’t work, though.

Plus, I don’t want to put Heather out.

She doesn’t need to be mixed in with my personal drama.

Now that I’m alone in the room, I take a minute to look around. I open all the cabinets and the closet.

Just as he said, all my clothing and personal belongings are here.

After I sort where everything is, I go into the bathroom attached to my room and freshen up.

I’m thankful I have a bathroom. I can’t imagine what I would do if I had to go out into the hallway and see him every time I had to pee.

That would be a nightmare.

With only a few minutes to spare, I find my toothbrush and brush my teeth. Something I haven’t been able to do since yesterday.

Sure, I used toothpaste and my fingers at Heather’s, but that’s not enough.

I wish I had time to shower, but . . .

Actually, I might have time.

As long as I’m very fast.

I spit into the sink and turn to the shower.

My hand opens the glass, and then it’s coming to life.

Once I step in, I allow the scalding water to wash away the past few days.

It feels incredible.

Exactly what I need right now.

“I guess it could be worse,” I repeat. “At least there’s a state-of-the-art shower.”

And this time, when I say the positive affirmation, I don’t feel totally doomed.

I can do this.

13

Trent

* * *

When the minute hand of the clock hits the time I allotted and Payton doesn’t show, my anger bubbles.

Clearly, her situation hasn’t sunk in.

I’ll just have to break your will, Miss Hart. Then you will confess all your sins and the part you played in Ivy’s kidnapping.

The irritation fades in an instant. I’m looking forward to our game of cat and mouse. I admire her audacity. The fire that lights in her eyes drives me wild. Fucking sue me. I’m an asshole.

I stand, walking to the side of my office with a built-in bookcase. My finger brushes against the spine of a book. War and Peace.

I consider my options of punishment to dole out for this infraction. They say the punishment should fit the crime. She stole my time; I’ll steal her money. With the book in hand, I sit back down. This time I set a timer on my phone, noting my net worth increases about two grand a minute.

By the time another ten minutes pass and she’s out twenty large, I decide to inform her of her predicament.

She’s lucky I’m even giving her this solution to her problems.

With the friends I have, I can easily remove all traces of the money, especially now that I have the account number. Before she realizes what I’ve done, she would be broke.