“Let’s go.” Patting me on the back, Leo pushes me towards the door. “It’s done.”
Laughing, I can’t help but think, This is nowhere close to done. That prick was just the first one.
Chapter 7
Christopher
There’s a false notion that revenge and justice make shit better. I keep waiting for the weight to lighten, for the relief to seep into my bones, but it hasn’t.
It never will.
Just like my daughter will never come back. She was a carrot dangled in front of me, and now my tongue is bitten and bleeding. The pain and the hatred are a violent need that have forced my hand. I can’t turn back. There’s no forgiveness left.
I’ve barely made it into the office the last few months, and my assistant is looking at me with surprise as I walk down the dark corridor of the law chambers I’m a part of.
“Morning, Mr. Sinclair.” Henry fumbles with the papers on his desk. “I was just about to send these files over. Your calendar said you were working from home today.”
“Change of plan.” I drop my wool coat on his desk. “Can you ask Julian to come see me?”
Eyes widening, he nods as he picks up the coat and jots a reminder down on one of the many papers he has scattered on the desk.
I’ve got a plan. Arabella wants to fuck with me. That’s fine. I’ll take it.
In spite of everything, I love her more today than I did yesterday, when I loved her more than the day I married her.
I’ll take it because I failed to keep my promise to protect her and our family. I’ll take everything she throws at me. But I won’t lag behind her.
She wants to fuck with me, I’m going to fuck with her just as hard.
“Don’t take note, do it now.” I watch him pick up the phone and dial Julian’s extension before I head into my office.
Settling at my desk, I take it all in as always. It’s something I’ve always done. I like to remind myself of everything I’ve done to get here. Except this time when I look around and the photo of me and Arabella stares back at me…I don’t know if it was worth it. I used to be so certain.
Now, looking at it all—I don’t know. Nothing is worth all the shit that’s happened.
I look up at the loud knock on the door. That was quick.
Pulling my notes from my briefcase, I pause when it’s my father who walks through the door.
He has that pissed look on his face he gets when someone goes against his instructions. Benedict follows him in, and the impassive look on his face is enough to let me know they’re here to tear shreds off me.
I guess they’ve found out about Jack. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together.
“I’m so sorry, I tried to…I…” Henry stutters behind them.
“Close the door,” Benedict tells him dismissively.
“Of course, Mr. Gladstone…sir.” Shutting the door quietly, Henry practically bows his way out of the room.
Dad sits in one of the dark green leather chairs in the small sitting area, and Benedict joins him. They both sit there in silence, looking about the room like they’re studying the place.
They’ve been here enough times that they’re no strangers to the surroundings. Benedict used to be one of the silks here. I’m not stupid enough to believe I’ve made it this high up so quickly without his influence. Even if I have worked my arse off for it.
“Do you like this office, Christopher?” Dad’s the first one to speak. The tone of his words is curt to match the expression that hasn’t budged from his face. “Because if you do, then you need to stop whatever the fuck you boys are up to. I don’t have time to spend my morning getting schooled about your games. I told you all that Jack Breckenridge was off limits. Do you know what that means?”
I say nothing. There is nothing to be said. We took care of the problem when they hesitated. He should’ve never stood in our way.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? I told you to stay away. We’re now in the middle of a fucking inquisition. We’re all under scrutiny.”