“Are you out of your fucking mind?” he screamed, his face turning red as the veins strained on his neck and he breathed heavily. “I didn't do that! Why would I kill an innocent man?”
“To put me in prison!”
“You were a criminal. Of course I didn't want you near her. That just solidified my belief you weren't good enough for her. I didn't kill him.” Fuck this, the old man couldn't even go down with dignity intact.
“Cut the bullshit and give up, Edward. No one else had reason to frame me, but you. I killed or tortured everyone else. Gotta give it you, I thought it was Alex. But with him and his secret life, he fucking didn't need to. So that leaves only you. Who else would do it?”
“Now listen here.” He hit my chest, pushing me backward slightly as he got in my face, and I could practically see steam coming out of his ears. “I might have done some bad shit in my life, but never have I ever killed anyone. This is insane!” He practically spat the last words, and studying his features, I couldn't spot an ounce of lie.
If it wasn't him, who could it be?
Who could possibly hate me so much he would construct this plan and not even be on my radar? Nothing was adding up here, and I didn't like it, especially when my gut screamed something was wrong and I was missing an important piece of information.
However, one thing was crystal clear to me.
It wasn't about hating just me, because putting me in prison accomplished only one thing.
Vivian was free for the taking, and the message I had gotten on that fateful night held more meaning than ever.
And if he didn't want to kill me… it meant he wanted Vivian to be stuck in limbo so she wouldn't even think about moving on to someone else.
“Blyat,” I muttered, and right in that moment, Vivian dashed outside, looking ridiculously out of place in her tight, black pants and a purple see-through shirt with lacy sleeves that emphasized her delicate features and feminine beauty.
Every man in close vicinity would be able to see her beautiful breasts! Growling, I took off my jacket and extended it to her, and she must have read something in my eyes, because she took it with a roll of hers.
“What’s going on?” she asked confused.
“We are leaving. Now.”
Her eyes widened, and she opened her full mouth, probably to complain, when Jake plastered himself against my knee after coming out of the stables. “Daddy! You came!”
Willing myself to calm down, because my son didn't need to see my fury, I picked him up and let him hug the shit out of me. Inhaling his scent, I was once again reminded how precious he and his mother were to me, and how impossible it was to stay here anymore, especially if that director wandered around, waiting for the right moment to strike.
I wouldn't be as stupid this time. If he wanted me, he could fucking try harming my family or me on my land, where his word meant nothing. We had already played on his territory. “Of course, buddy. Could you do something for me?” He nodded eagerly. “Go to the house, get your bag, and say goodbye to Grandma. We need to go.” He frowned, but without another word, he did what I told him to.
“Radmir, where are we going?”
Ignoring her, I faced her dad who stood silent the entire exchange, but then he must have come to the same conclusion, because he jerked his chin slightly as if I fucking needed his approval.
“It’s for the best, Vivian.”
“Dad, what the hell is—” She snapped her mouth shut as Jake ran back to us with his backpack heavy on his shoulder.
“Bye, Grandpa.” He hugged Edward tight, and the old man returned it as he patted his back and joy filled his face.
At least he loved my son despite him being mine. How did he manage to do that if he hated my bastard in the beginning? The man despised me so much he probably called him only that. My hands itched to clock him just for this alone, but I restrained myself.
“Gleb, car. Buddy, go with my friend here. Mommy and I will follow you in a second.” My enforcer was behind me. I didn't even need to check. He was like a shadow, looming everywhere.
“Hey, little man, I’m Gleb.”
Jake shook hands with him and then squealed. “You have a hockey tattoo on you!”
“Was a goalie all through high school.”
“Awesome.” As they moved toward the car, their voices faded away; just excited squeals were heard in the distance.
“Vivian.”
