Daniel absorbs this with a visibly diminishing self-control. Mirroring his son’s pose, he leans forward, fixing Killian with a narrow stare. “You’re right, son. This is my mistake, bleeding over. The truth is, I should have taken care of that little slut the first time you snuck into her bedroom.”
Killian’s hand is only a couple feet away from that gun on Daniel’s desk. All it would take is half a lunge to grab it—not that he’d need to. He’s also got one tucked into the waist of his jeans.
Tristian and I are poised to pull him back, because while the thought of Killian shooting his dad again does hold some appeal, we have enough bullshit to worry about it.
To our shock, we don’t need to.
Killian just laughs.
It’s a malicious, humorless sound, making his shoulder blades bounce. “You just can’t handle that you lost her, can you?” Glancing at us over his shoulder, he nods. “You lost your ripe little ‘asset’ to three men who are younger and better than you, and then you watched us slowly defile her. How did that feel, dad?” Mouth tugging up into a spiteful smirk, he wonders, “Did you watch me take her virginity? Did you watch me fuck her those nights in my bed?” He tilts his head, as if he’s genuinely curious. ”Did you watch me fuck her on your desk at home? Did you see how much she wanted it? Because that’s really got to sting.”
For a long, tense stretch of time, Daniel grinds his teeth. Oh, his face is all cool and composed, but he’s got this muscle in his jaw that keeps writhing around. No one knows how to push his buttons better than his own creation: Killer Payne.
“I still remember the day you were born,” Daniel says, feigning a wistfulness that none of us buy. “You were a week late. Did you know that? Your mother kept waiting and waiting. I walked in on her crying once, because she was so sick of being burdened with you in her tiny belly.” It’s a low, almost pathological blow, and Killian takes it exactly like I expect him to, flinching backward. It makes his father’s eyes spark in satisfaction. “You came out of her, all bloody and wailing, as if we owed you something. My god, and you were such an enormous baby. Far bigger than you should have been. Her body never was the same, you know. You swelled her up, and then ripped right through her, a gruesome little savage from your first breath.”
Tristian is the first to see the twitch, to lunge forward and pull Killian away before the fist he’s throwing out can meet his father’s jaw.
“And you two,” he says, eyes flicking from Tristian over to me. “You’re not even my flesh and I’ve given you opportunity and support. I’ve allowed you privileges that even my most loyal soldiers don’t get.”
Anger rushes through me and I blurt, “Like letting me buy your stepdaughter?”
Tristian’s mouth opens slightly, like he’s just figured it out. Killian…the way he keeps his eyes steady on his father, implies that he already knew. How? Who knows? He’s his father’s son.
“Yes, Dimitri,” Daniel says slowly, “Negotiation is a privilege, one I allowed you because of our personal relationship.”
“You’re a sick bastard.”
Daniel laughs, and it’s the exact same sound his son had made moments ago. Empty, joyless. “In honor of the sacrifices that were made to bring Killian into this world, I think I’ll give you until your birthday.” Ignoring Killian’s thrashing jerk out of Tristian’s grip, Daniel straightens, sniffing. “You have until then to bring me a more convincing suspect. Else, I will handle her, and none of you will stop me.”
“I’m done with you, and so is she,” Killian sneers, straightening out his shirt. “We’ll find this asshole ourselves.”
He leaves the box with his father, and storms out of the office and into the empty lobby with the oppressive silence. Tristian and I are right on his heels, but before we cross the threshold, Daniel’s voice rings out.
“Rath can stay.” He looks perfectly composed when I turn to arch an eyebrow at him. “Since you brought it up, we may as well attend to our matters.”
Fuck my fucking big mouth.
So much for lying low.
I turn back to Tristian, who must see the dread in my eyes.
“No,” he says, flicking his eyes to Daniel. “Fuck this guy, Rath. Blow it off.”
Lowering my voice, I explain, “I have…debts.”
“I have money,” he reasons, but I just shake my head.
“We both know he wouldn’t take it.”