“Unfortunately.” He fully loosens his tie and rips it off his neck while keeping the gun pointed at me. “God knows I fucked enough women in an attempt to spawn another heir because I didn’t want to be saddled with you.”
Mom doesn’t even flinch at his words. She is long past the point of caring about his ongoing infidelity.
“That makes two of us. What a pity you only shoot blanks.” A smug grin spreads over my mouth as his fingers curl around the trigger of the gun, and I bet he wishes he could put a bullet in my skull now.
“I fathered you, didn’t I?” he snaps.
Yeah, but it took years and plenty of miscarriages before Mom bore him a child.
“It’s possibly hereditary. You should be careful before you throw shade.”
I shrug.Who gives a shit?I’m not even sure I want kids. It’s not something I have given much thought to. I just want this meeting over and done with, so I return to the matter at hand. “I don’t care what’s set up. I’m not dating Gayle Turner. She’s a pain in the ass.”
“I don’t give a shit what you think.” He slides the gun back into his desk drawer, and I wonder why he bothers waving that thing around anymore. It’s an idle threat and we both know it. “Her father is a potential new client. Winning the Turner Media account will enhance my portfolio and my reputation and guarantee Leland signs the papers agreeing to sell Bentley Law to me when he retires.”
“What the fuck does me taking Gayle out have to do with that?”
“Her father asked it of me. Apparently, she’s been trying to get your attention for months, but you’re ignoring her. She’s hurt and asked her daddy to make it happen.”
I snort out a laugh. “Of course, she did. The conniving little bitch.” I pin him with a sharp look. “I won’t let you pimp me out. I’m not doing it.”
“Yes, you are.” He stands and smirks. “I don’t see the problem. I’ve met her, and she’s just crying out for dick. She’s a hot piece of ass with big fuckable tits. Take one for the team. It’s not like it’s a hardship.”
Acid churns in my gut at his lecherous grin. “You take her out then.”
“She wantsyourdick. God only knows why.” He rounds the desk. “When she kicks you to the curb, I’ll happily take her for a ride.” His smirk expands. “Show her what it’s like to be fucked by a real man.”
I keep a neutral expression on my face as his insult wafts over my head. I lost my virginity at fourteen to an older girl, and we had a steamy three-month affair. She taught me how to please a woman and turned me onto the addictive joys of sex. I’ve been sexually active ever since, and I have added to my repertoire over the years. I have fucked enough women to be confident in my bedroom skills. I’ve had zero complaints with most women begging me for a repeat performance. Unlike my dad, who I’m sure is a selfish prick in bed. I bet he’d need a compass to locate a clit and it’s all about his satisfaction.
“Find some other way of schmoozing her dad,” I say, standing as he approaches. “Organize one of your infamous orgies. Strippers, coke, and booze should suffice.”
In a lightning-fast move, one I didn’t think him capable of, he darts around me, grabs the back of Mom’s neck, and slams her face-first into the desk, repeating the motion a couple of times as she howls and I attempt to pull him back. The vodka rolls to the floor, spilling everywhere. Dad rams his elbow back, shoving it into my ribs, and I stagger back, momentarily winded.
“I can keep this up all night. You know it turns me on,” he says, grinning at me over his shoulder as he continues banging Mom’s face into the desk.
“Stop. All right,” I huff out, wincing as I struggle to draw a breath. “I’ll do it. I’ll take Gayle out tomorrow, but it’s one date and one date only.”
Dad slams Mom into the desk one final time before releasing her. Her body slumps to the ground as she passes out, her bloody face landing in the puddle of vodka pooling on the floor. “You’ll take her out as often as is necessary until I sign Turner Media.” He prods his finger in my chest. “Remember your place. You are my puppet. You do whatever the fuck I say. Continue to bait me, and your mother will pay the price.”
14
KENDALL
“You’re looking a little tired there, Van,” West says, smirking at his best friend across the dining room table. “Late one last night?” He flashes him a grin, showcasing the perfect white smile we paid a small fortune for, before shoveling a forkful of roast beef in his mouth. It’s the second Sunday in a row Vander has joined us for dinner, and I’m torn over it. One part of me is happy he’s here while another part wants to keep my distance so I avoid temptation.
“Okay, I’ll bite.” Stella leans forward, angling her head and staring at Vander. “What did you do last night?”
“Who, more like,” West murmurs, hiding his inappropriate comment behind a cough so his younger brother doesn’t hear.
But I did. I hadn’t much of an appetite to start with, and now it’s vanquished.
“Shut up,” Van hisses under his breath, glaring at my eldest son.
“Oh, this is good. Now, I’m intrigued.” Stella waggles her brows. “Tell me who you were with.”
“It was nothing,” Van says. “West just likes stirring shit.”
“That’s enough,” Curtis says, his tone as biting as the look he gives Vander. “You are a guest in our house, Vander, and cursing is not permitted at the table. We have innocent ears.”
