Twist of Fate (Kings of Chaos 6)

“You guys know how well Smoke has been doing. It’s making good money, along with the restaurant and Fresco I and II. So, we feel it’s the right time to take on a new project.”

Visions of a black truck with pops of pink dance in my head.

“Smoke II will be coming in the next couple of months.”

My jaw drops, and my stomach rolls. I grip the table. “What?” I snap.

“The boys are ready to open up another truck to meet the heavy customer demand.”

Biting the inside of my cheek, I shake my head. You’ve got to be kidding me.

The boys exchange a guilty look, and I take a deep, shaky breath to keep the sobs from breaking free. I blink rapidly to fight back the tears. I can’t even look at the men in my family. They all know how badly I want this, and yet my brothers said nothing when Dad pitched the concept for a second truck? Selfish bastards.

“I want you to be the one who trains Shayne here.”

I’ll bet you do.

“I don’t know, Dad. Do you think I can handle it?” I ask sarcastically.

“Of course. I wouldn’t trust it to anyone else. Caspian and Ellis will have their hands full running Smoke I and getting the other truck up and moving.”

“Right. I mean, what else do I have to do but train?”

HIs lips turn downward, and the mirth leaves his eyes. “We all have to pitch in to make things work,” he says sternly.

Right. Except some should give their all constantly for the dreams of others.

“Congratulations, boys. I’d love to stay and help you celebrate, but I find myself feeling ill.” After wiping my mouth with my linen napkin, I drop it onto my plate.

My father’s brow furrows, and I meet his gaze, daring him to call me on it. He looks away. We all know why I’m angry. I refuse to make eye contact with anyone else. The tension mounts. An invisible shield of disharmony falls over us.

“Shayne, it was nice meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” I direct my words toward my father without looking at him. “Let me know when the training schedule will begin once you get it figured out.” Pretending I’m okay with any of this is not going to happen. It’s all I can do right now to walk away and not cause a scene.

I want to rage, vent, and purge my soul of all I’ve held inside. My time as an employee is limited. This blatant disregard for my wishes has started a countdown clock. I’ll be training Shayne Spencer to take my place. I can’t help but see the poetic justice in that. There’s freedom in this betrayal. No longer will I allow the chains of familial loyalty to bind me.

I have money saved, and excellent credit. I’ll apply for my own damn loan. Tears fill my vision, blurring the surroundings. I keep my head held high and my pace steady, though I’m bleeding out metaphorically. Bile threatens to creep up my throat. My mouth waters and my throat closes.

I take a shaky breath as I retrace my steps out of the house. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. The cracks begin as I cross the threshold of the front door. I have to make it out of here before I fall apart. I cover my mouth to hide the sobs.

My head pounds. I close my eyes against the shame flowing through me. Nothing I’ve done swayed him. To Dad, my hard work and sacrifice will never be worth as much as my brothers. Balling my fists, I dash away the tears with the back of my hand. He won’t get more of my tears. If he thinks he can box me in and force me to do things his way he’s wrong. I’ll show him just how much of his daughter I am.

My dad never lacked for money, but my grandparents didn’t understand or care for his passion for food. Both lawyers, they regularly tried to steer him toward more conventional career choices. It was why he’d ended up taking out a loan on his own for school and making the journey to L.A. to study under chefs. You’d think he’d relate to me. Instead, history is threatening to repeat itself. Furious, I stalk to my car, pull out of the driveway, and call the one person who knows me inside and out.

“You’re calling me before noon on a Sunday, what’s wrong?”

Jas’s voice washes over me like a cooling rain. The sister of my heart knows the good, the bad, and the ugly about my life. She’s seen the darkest parts of me and never shied away.

“Dad made an announcement today during family brunch.” My voice waivers.

“Oh, crap.”

“Wait. This is priceless. Guess who’s getting a second food truck.” My voice cracks.

“Oh, babe, I am so sorry. That’s fucked up.”

I sniff. “I really thought we were there for me. That I finally was going to get my turn, Jas. I sat there beaming like a jack ass. Hell, he’s even brought in a new guy to help offset the load placed on poor Casp and Elli.” I spit their names out like poison.

“I can’t believe he did this.” The horror in her voice is a reassurance.