Being the sole survivor plagues me with guilt to this day. What makes me so special? Why did I survive? It took months to recover, but I didn’t return to the office for two years. The official investigation concluded the crash was caused due to pilot error.
“Don’t you have to get to work?” I ask.
“My schedule is open until ten, and anyway, I always have time for my baby brother,” Jensen replies.
“Well, mine isn’t, so if you don’t mind.” I pointedly look from him to the door.
“How long do you plan on living this way?”
“What do you mean?” I ask, reclining in my executive chair.
“You’ve alienated yourself from your family.”
“I’m busy running a billion-dollar company.”
The immense office attests to my advanced wealth. Behind my Astoria Grand desk is a spectacular view of the skyline. Several-thousand-dollar paintings by artists who met their end long ago line the walls. A bar stocked with expensive liquor is to my left, and next to it is a door leading to a spacious studio apartment. During deadlines that require long nights, I sleep there instead of home. It has all the luxurious amenities someone of my station expects—a king-sized bed, a kitchenette featuring top-brand appliances, an Italian leather sofa situated in front of a coffee table and Persian rug, a flat-screen television mounted to the wall, a dinette set, two closets, and a bathroom.
“That’s complete bullshit. Mom and Dad are worried about you. We all are.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“It’s been six years.”
“But it feels like it was yesterday,” I snap. “What the fuck do you want from me, Jensen?”
“I want my brother back.”
“The brother you knew died in the crash.”
“No, he became bitter after he caught his fiancée fucking his best friend.”
“I’m not in the mood to rehash the past,” I growl, memories of that fateful day bombarding me.
Negotiations ended earlier than expected on a business trip in Beijing. I didn’t tell Lauren, because I wanted to surprise her. Before boarding the plane to the States, I made a detour to a jewelry boutique, purchasing the most expensive tennis bracelet available as a gift for her. I showered her in luxury, grateful such a beautiful woman wanted to be with a monster. Anger barrels through me at the lovesick fool I was. Most women are gold-digging bitches aiming for a payday. No woman will ever be capable of looking past my burns. This is the face only a mother could love.
A year and a half ago…
Foreboding filled me when I spotted Luke’s car parked next to Lauren’s in the circular driveway. Why is he here? Silently, I entered the mansion, not bothering to search the first floor. My gut told me exactly where they were. Slowly, I stalked up the stairs, careful to keep quiet. The unmistakable sound of sex intensified the closer I got to our bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, allowing me to watch my fiancée ride my best friend. She’d never ridden my dick so vigorously.
Murderous thoughts danced in my mind the longer I stood there. I wanted to grab a knife from the kitchen and carve their fucking hearts out. He flipped her over and thrusted his hips a few times before groaning. He rolled to his back, dragging in ragged breaths.
“Scarface will be home any day now,” Luke joked.
“He makes me want to vomit.” She shivered. “When he fucks me, I close my eyes and pretend it’s you.”
“Another year or so and it’ll be over.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” she snapped. “You don’t have to fuck him.”
“Look, everything’s going according to plan. Marry the bastard next month, and a year later, file for a divorce.”
“This scheme of yours better work.”
“Dom’s madly in love with you. He hasn’t asked for a prenup, and he won’t. You’ll get half of his assets.”
Instead of confronting them, I quietly left and began plotting my revenge. Luke arrived at work the following day only to be escorted from the building by security. The shocked expression on his face lessened the sting of his betrayal. I had the last laugh. Lauren was thrown out on her ass with nothing. Last I heard, she’s stripping at a club in downtown Los Angeles. I knew about her troubled past, but it didn’t matter to me. I’d fallen for her hard. She was a damn good actress, playing me like a fucking fiddle. That incident desensitized me, turning me into an angry, black-hearted motherfucker with trust issues.
Luke and I became best friends in grade school and were inseparable. Though he wasn’t qualified, I took a chance and gave him an executive position in my company. I had no idea he was envious of my wealth and wanted me to hit rock bottom.
