"If you fucking like."
I get up and cross to the far side of the kitchen, looking out at the walled yard.
There is more property beyond, in the darkness, but Silas has a smart design to keep the house and area around it secure and wired.
Right, I think I can speak.
"Can I fucking ask who this prick is, and how the fuck they were able to get some alone time?"
And I'm concerned about Lyndall. I don't want her fucking, but I don't want Dad to use any excuse to get rid of her.
"I don't appreciate the insinuation, Enzo. Or the accusation. You could be home, watching her."
"And I could watch her here."
"I didn't fucking set them up. And it is one reason why I don't want a pretty girl around the house. It is temptation."
"No, Dad, it is you not controlling your fucking men," I snarl.
"This isn't my fault, you ungrateful prick. But don't worry, he's been taken care of."
"Taken care of?" If he means killed, then so be it. Any little fucker who thinks it is okay to stick it in an underage girl deserves it. But...
I try to breathe.
It shouldn't have come to this. Lyndall is not home enough for it to have built to this bullshit.
There is blame to lay, and it belongs firmly at my father's feet.
Stomach knotting, I clench my hand. "How the hell could this happen?"
Dad snorts out bitter laughter. "If you think it is so easy to keep a teenage girl in line, then fuck the Swiss boarding school idea. In fact, fuck the school she's going to. You can have what you want."
"What I want?"
"Yes. You think having a teen is easy, you can take full responsibility for her."
I can't breathe for a moment. And I try to wrap my head around it.
Not the concept. I understand that just fine. But Dad just coming out with it.
"You want me to take over?" I fight to keep the shock from my voice.
"Yes. You think it is so easy, you do it. Twenty-four fucking seven, Enzo."
I never thought in a million years I would hear the old man give up so easily. Fuck, I never thought he would say something like that.
"Fine, I will do it." And all bets are off.
Dad just changed the rules. It gives me wiggle room.
But I don't tell him where we are or what happened at my place. And I'm certainly not telling him we are in hiding.
It would just fuel him into taking control, tightening the noose.
"You will regret it."
"No, Dad. I will speak to Lyndall and be in touch."
