And for so long, I couldn’t stand it.
My mother?—
As Kingston’s expression shifted in my memory, I spun away from the lake. My feet carried me as if pulled by gravity around the side of the house, but I didn’t enter the terrace.
I waited as the scent of lemon rose in the air around me.
It always bothered me.
The trees had always bothered me.
And now I knew why.
Whatever had happened to my mother—whatever had gotten her killed—it started beneath them.
With Kingston.
What do you mean?
“You!” Drake D’Arthur’s voice cut through the memory. “Where is my son?”
His growl raised the hairs on the back of my neck.
“Boy, I’m speaking to you!”
My eyes narrowed on his approach, and I tensed, my whole body primed to react instinctively. Although, which instinct, I wasn’t sure. A natural protectiveness arose each time Drake showed up, but Kingston was inside the house.
Drake would find that out soon enough.
And yet he was also with Quinn.
He’d see the alert on his phone. He’d know his father had entered the property.
Still, fear coiled in my stomach.
I trusted that instinct first, and I bought them time.
“I’m his right hand,” I drawled, voice bored as I glanced away. “Not his keeper.”
Pain shot through my temple and cheekbone as the back of Drake’s hand connected with my face.
Head snapping to the left on impact, I quickly righted it and stared back at him.
He fisted my shirt at the collar, twisting and yanking me toward him. Lifting as he pulled me to him, my toes dragged on the ground, and I jerked back from the contact with his chest.
He didn’t let me go.
I grabbed his wrist where it clutched my shirt and shoved against his body with my other arm. As hard as I could, I pushed back against him.
He didn’t flinch.
“Watch your tone with me, boy. Or you’ll live to regret it.” Droplets of spit mixed with rage and unbridled hatred. So much I didn’t understand, but Drake D’Arthur’s contempt for me needed no explanation. “You won’t live long. But the short time you have left will be filled with regret if you forget where your loyalty lies.”
“I’m his,” I gritted out the words through clenched teeth, refusing to back down.
Disdain fueled his deep laugh, one quick sound before his tone chilled. “You, him, and everyone inside these walls belong tome.”
He shoved me away with the flick of his wrist, knocking me to the ground.
