Page 111 of Vicious Kingdom

My uncle laughed conspiratorially, while my parents blanched.

“You should have been at the children’s benefit,” my mother scolded. “Surely you could have stopped whatever you’re wasting your time with for them.”

If only she knew….

But my parents would be horrified if they knew I was a best-selling author, who spent her days gleefully typing, immersed in worlds full of monsters.

I made enough money—reinvested it too—that I hadn’t touched my trust in the last three years. Another detail that my family didn’t seem to notice or care to ask about.

It wasn’t like my clothes were cheap.

And they never wondered how I paid for them.

When dessert was cleared away, I rose. “I just need to run up to my room.”

“Oh, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.” My mother rose as well. “You need to box the rest of your things. We’re turning the space into an art room.”

Dinner threatened to make a reappearance. Neither of my parents were inclined to any form of creativity. Not even my father, the lauded businessman.

And yet, so flippantly, they were dismissing my twenty-five years in this house and changing my room.

Always an afterthought.

“Sounds great!” I chirped with forced ease. “Can’t wait to see what you do.”

I hurried away.

This was my chance.

Around the corner, down the hallway lined with family portraits that never quite captured genuine smiles, I moved with purpose, my heart hammering against my ribs as I passed the story of my childhood. No time for nostalgia now.

Father’s office was at the end of the hall—a sanctuary of mahogany and leather that had always been off-limits without explicit invitation. The door was closed but unlocked. I slipped inside, closing it softly behind me.

The familiar scent of cigars and expensive cologne hung in the air. His desk loomed before me, immaculate as always except for a single fountain pen resting beside his closed laptop.

I glanced at my watch. Fifteen minutes, maybe twenty before someone would come looking for me.

The laptop powered on with a soft hum. I tapped my fingers impatiently against the desk as it booted up. I needed two minutes for the USB to load.

They were the longest of my life.

Once the light on the slim stick turned green, I yanked it free.

“I did it!” I breathed.

The computer screen went dark at my command, and I rushed away. I made a beeline to my room. The heavy oak door swung open on silent hinges—

Revealing the scourge inside.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I tried to backtrack. But the scrawny fucker was fast.

“At last,” the Tormentor crowed, grabbing my hair and yanking me into the room.

“I’ll scream!” I threatened, striking out at him. My fist collided with his rib.

“That wasn’t very nice.” He returned the blow. “Better keep quiet. Don’t want anyone knowing what you werereallyup to.”

I clenched my teeth. Not this time. Never again. I lashed out, striking with all my might.