“You could do so many great things with your wealth, and you decide to spend it on killing innocent animals? Some of those are dying breeds.”
“Eat the rich, right?” He grinned. “You might have your wish fulfilled…”
“Fuck off!” He was fuming at his smile. “Must have had a great childhood, killing and all.”
“I actually did. Can’t even blame my parents for who I am. Dad was really great with me, and so was mum. I mean, I was spoiled, of course. Compared to other kids, I had everything, and more… but there was a price to pay…”
“Really? I can’t imagine what?”
He pursed his lips. “No, you can’t.”
Gabe glanced at him, but Damian sank into silence, his eyes a bit lost. His mind on what a father he had turned out to be, one of those mornings floating in, a Saturday like any others…
Barely a glance above his paper at his daughter who had slumped at the breakfast table, her dark hair a mess, groping for the box of cereals. Kevin was already there, eating silently, that small boy of eight trying to disappear between his silent parents. Maddie cleared her throat when that silence, cut by the paper’s pages moving, had become unbearable.
“Are you going to that car race today?”
Meeting his steel eyes when he’d lowered the paper. “Yeah… that’s the plan.”
The little boy had raised his head at his words, but kept quiet, the spoon slowing in his hand.
“You could take Kev…” Her voice, weak, trying to sound casual when it was choked.
The boy watched those steel eyes go to him, and he swallowed, but held his gaze, trying not to look eager when his chest burst at his mother’s words. Watching his father’s lips curl into a smile. “Would you like to come, Kev? See some cars?”
He almost lost that moment, his eyes growing wide in disbelief, but then managed to nod. Even if being alone with him terrified him to the bone, those cars were too tempting.
Damian smiled, vaguely annoyed that he had said yes, but the idea thrilled him now, his eyes on Maddie’s blanched face. He grinned and looked at the boy, putting the paper down. He ruffled his hair. “Great! Get dressed and meet me at the entrance. Don’t forget your cap! We’ll take the Porsche.”
“Yay!” He jumped up and left, running.
Damian looked at Maddie, her voice filled with fear. “You’re driving? I thought Simon would…”
“I can drive, thank you very much.” He rose, wiping his mouth. “I gave him the day off.”
She had risen too, Cassie very quiet, sitting above her bowl, hiding behind her hair. “But… are you sure? You might have a few drinks there… and…”
He had walked over to her, dwarfing her with his height. Putting a palm on her face, his voice soft. “So what you’re saying is that I can’t control myself?”
“No… it’s just…”
“It’s just nothing. We’ll have a great time with Kev. Besides, it was your idea. Next time, just shut up.” A smile to cover that wrath bathing his chest. His eyes drifted to his daughter. “You can take Cassie out on a walk. Might do her some good, she’s put on weight again.” Watching as that girl of twelve shot to her feet and ran out of the room. Looking back at Maddie’s wide eyes.
“Why…?”
“Why what? She looks like a tiny whale. Make sure she doesn’t get any fatter. That’s what good mothers do, right?” He patted her stunned face. “See you later.”
Leaving her standing, warmth in his chest. He picked up his car keys and waited for the little boy, watching him rush down the stairs. “Ready?”
“Yes, Dad!”
Sitting him in the front, out of spite, glancing at her, daring her to say a word, but she just stood, like a statue.
“We’ll see you later.” Shouting over the rumbling engine, making sure the car shot off with tyres screeching. The boy howling in delight. Her, left behind, in that cloud of dust and gravel.
“Something’s wrong?”
Blinking the tears back. “No… just tired…”
