As the day fades before our eyes and we’re soon surrounded by darkness, I tell her about Leonidas and the triplets and how they’re famous. Her mouth drops open in shock, and I have to hold back a laugh when she almost chokes on her coffee.
I guess I surprised her.
FORTY-FOUR
LEO
I’m in a lot of trouble. I’ve caused more chaos than I intended to, and now, I’m going to ruin everything.
It was one damn Instagram post, one post that has the people in LA who watch over me pissed. I didn’t follow their rules. I posted on Instagram without their permission, and now, they can’t trust me.
I mean, how could they trust me from the start? I’ve always hated the industry. They control you like they own you. But in reality, in a way, they do own me. I signed my name in cursive on the black dotted line four years ago. I was a naive little boy who sold off all his rights to them. My life has come to the point where I can’t be on social media without them peering over my shoulder and asking me what I’m doing.
They expect me to be single all my life. If I’m taken, the female population will explode with anger. How the hell is that my problem? How do they expect me to base my life on what my fans want? I’ll never be happy like that. I refuse to let someone else write my story.
When I first started getting flooded with calls and text messages, I turned my phone off. I thought they couldn’t reach me if I didn’t know they were calling. But I didn’t know this would happen.
They sent my father.
The moment I saw the black limo pull into the driveway, I knew something bad was going to happen. The bitter frown on my dad’s face when he exited the limo could kill. I saw the way his stare roamed around Trinity’s small house, and he laughed to himself. He’s used to the rich lifestyle, so the sight of Trinity’s house amused him. It took everything in me not to run down the stairs and slam my fist right into his cheek. I crave to see his body stagger back in pain. Knowing my father, I would get a punch back, and I’d rather not explain that to Trinity.
She’s built with a fire in her. I know she’d definitely go after him herself, which would be a sight to see. My father isn’t someone I want her to meet. I want to protect her from the man who causes me so much pain. The minute he walks into the room, he casts a depressing aura. I’m not ready for her to meet him. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for the moment her gaze meets his.
She’s filled with hope and longing. He’s filled with the opposite. A snake that will take you down at any given opportunity. He’ll wrong you and laugh in your face while you cry.
The look Mom gave me, Elijah, and Amelia when Dad knocked on the front door was very obvious. She pleaded with her eyes for us to go upstairs. I know she tries to protect us from him, but we’re not five. We know he’s a monster who has trapped her in a marriage that she doesn’t want to be in. And, shit, if that doesn’t irritate me, then I don’t know what does.
I’m a mommy’s boy, and I will do anything to protect her.
I hate sitting up here in my room, knowing my mom has to deal with him alone. It’s not fair. She did nothing wrong. We’re the ones who fucked with the label. My fingers shake as I think about Mom having to stand up by herself down there. I know my father. He’s crazy. He craves to see people down on their knees in pain.
I can’t let Mom burn in his path when I’m the one who should. I started all of this. I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but I’ll own up to what I did.
I’m not a baby. It’s time she realizes that.
I stride to my bedroom door. It swings back widely behind me, and a loud bang echoes in the house as it slams into the wall. I don’t stop my steps to the stairs when I hear Amelia’s door open.
“Where are you going?” she whisper-yells and pulls me back by my shirt.
My steps halt, and I glare at her from over my shoulder. “Let go of me, Amelia.”
“You heard what Mom said. She wants us to stay up here.”
“Does it look like I care?”
“You should,” she points out and glares. “You being down there might make it worse.”
I shake my head. “I’m not letting Mom take the punishment for what I caused.”
I won’t let anyone stop me. Amelia can say anything she wants, but I’m still going down there, and I’ll deal with the bastard myself.
Squeezing her eyes shut tightly, she sighs. “Fine, go. I’ll be down in a second with Elijah.”
Her hand drops from my shirt, and I’m practically running down the steps. I hear my father’s disgusting voice in the distance. It’s sour and full of distaste. It makes me angrier than a few seconds ago. I don’t keep my steps quiet. I want him to know I’m coming. I want him to have slight fear. Anything is better than nothing.
“Leonidas Drakos.” He hums in amusement when I enter his line of vision. “So nice of you to join us.”
“Father, always a displeasure.” My voice is flat.
