“You could have built a tolerance,” I said, because I had to say something. Because I couldn’t be wrong. I couldn’taffordto be wrong.
His mouth twitched.
“There it is,” he murmured. “That fight.”
“I’m not eating it,” I said again, weaker now but still holding on.
“Maybe not yet,” he agreed. That made my stomach drop. “You will once you’re hungry enough.”
He stepped back, finally releasing me completely.
“You should be grateful,” he added, adjusting his cuffs like none of this had happened. “Behave like you should, and cherish every gift I give you.”
My throat tightened.
“Delicious food. Pretty clothes. A priceless wedding ring. My hard cock,” he smirked.
Each word landed heavier than the one before, and when he said the last one, I flinched.
“Freedom, though,” he finished, almost thoughtfully. “That’s one gift you will never have. I’ll make sure of it.”
Chapter Five: LEO
Theofficewassilentexcept for the slow tick of the clock and the soft shuffle of paper.
Top floor. Glass walls. The city beneath me.
All mine. Or it would be, officially, if this meeting went well.
I leaned back in the chair, one ankle over my knee, watching the lawyer sweat through his tailored suit. He hadn’t touched the drink I’d poured him. My reputation clearly preceded me.
“Say it again,” I said.
He cleared his throat, fingers tightening on the folder in his lap. “Your father’s estate… is not being transferred to you directly.”
I smiled faintly. “As expected, the dead bastard’s still playing games.”
His eyes flicked up, then down again. “It’s been placed in a trust.”
Of course it had. The old prick never did anything clean.
“And who controls it?” I asked.
“You do. Technically.” He shifted his position. “As executor.”
“Technically,” I repeated. My gaze drifted past him, out to the skyline. Steel and glass cutting through the clouds. Everything I’d built. Everything I already owned. And still, he found a way.
“The assets,” the lawyer continued, voice tighter now, “are designated for your firstborn child.”
Silence settled. Then I laughed. Low. Brief. Certainly without any humor.
“Dead,” I said. “And still trying to control me.”
The lawyer shifted again. “There are conditions.”
“There are always conditions.” My fingers tapped once against the armrest. “Go on.”
“The inheritance transfers fully upon the birth of your first legitimate heir,” the lawyer said, tugging on his collar.
