I highly doubt any country would let him in anyway. He’s known worldwide as a psychotic madman.
Luciella slows to walk with me. “What’s wrong with you? Talk to him.”
I shrug. “I don’t know what to say.”
I haven’t visited my dad in nearly two years. The last time we had a huge argument and I overturned one of the picnic tables. He has more grey hairs now, but he’s kept at the gym they have here and eats healthily.
You’d think a man in his forties would at least look forty, but he’s just a slightly older version of me, with the same level of fitness. He’d probably be able to beat the shit out of me without trying.
“Maybe apologise first,” she says, watching him and my mother laugh about something as she rests her head on his shoulder. “You did call him a lunatic, a waste of oxygen and told him he was better off dead for what he did to Mum, before walking out on him.”
As soon as those words fell from my lips, I regretted them. But I was too fucking furious with him to turn around and say sorry, to take them all back. He was hurt by what I said – it was the first time I’d ever seen him cry.
He’d tried to agree with me, that Mum deserved everything that didn’t involve him, but I didn’t wait to hear him explain. I stormed out, blocked the institution’s number and went on with my life.
All because he tried to talk to me about Stacey. You don’t hate her, son. You’re just mad at her. He knew everything about us. There must be a reason she’s acting this way. Every trip. No one can change overnight. Every time I felt happy. He even knew when I asked her to be my girlfriend. You need to hear her out, Kade. If you love her, let her explain.
Tobias Mitchell wasn’t the person to give relationship advice. I mean, come on. He went off his meds and kidnapped my mother to blackmail her into being in a relationship with him.
He’s a million shades of psychotic obsession, but somehow, he was the one who made me see that I was falling in love with Stacey when I was a teenager.
“We should come back in a bit,” my sister whispers to me as our parents talk about their night. “Maybe get a coffee?”
Dad glowers at me, and I feel all the blood drain from my face. “Yeah. Good shout. ”
We leave them in peace and head to the cafeteria. I take a seat at one of the tables while Luciella goes to order, returning with a large tea for her and a latte for me.
“I’m sorry about what I said earlier. About the not being my brother thing.”
I snort. “It’s fine. I haven’t exactly been around.”
“Are you… Are you really okay? You know you can talk to me.”
We were as close as siblings could be once, but when her best friend ruined me, I couldn’t bear to look at either of them. I almost told her about us so many times while drunk-calling home, almost told her that me and Stacey were sneaking around and that I was sorry.
But the apology would have been a lie.
“I have a question,” I say. I formulate a lie so I can give Barry more information. “When we were on the plane, Stacey was trying to take her hoodie off. She had a few bruises.” I sip my hot drink, ignoring the burn on my tongue. “She said they were from the studio.”
I need to know who did them. If my sister tells me she’s seeing someone, I’ll make sure the last week of his life is lived in terror. I’ll blind him, take his fingertips, shove a screwdriver in his ears and make him choke on his own cock.
Luciella frowns. “One thing we’re all jealous of is how much it takes Stacey to bruise. Are you sure they were bruises?”
“I’m certain. She has scars as well.”
My sister studies her paper cup. “I noticed the scars. She said most of them are from falling or some silly accident. I’ve not noticed bruising. We’re going out with you and Base tonight, so maybe I’ll ask her to wear a skimpy dress and see what she says.”
I stop drinking and set down my cup. “You and Stacey are coming out with us? Since when?”
“Base asked me earlier,” she replies, shrugging a shoulder. “And I said yes.”
I don’t want to go out with fucking Stacey tonight. I already have plans, and I need to complete the contract by three in the morning.
“I could straight-up ask her how she got bruised,” she says, biting into her pastry.
“Don’t put her on the spot like that.”
She arches a brow and looks at me until I feel itchy. “Why are you so concerned anyway? I thought you two couldn’t stand each other.”
“I don’t care. It was just an observation. No one likes to see another person looking beat-up.”
She hums in agreement and finishes her drink. “I’ll keep an eye on her,” she says, then her eyes widen. “Oh, the cashier said there are loads of paps outside apparently. They must’ve found out we were visiting Dad.”
“Awesome,” I say sarcastically. “Where are we going later?” I ask. I know Base has already planned it.
I’ll just make sure I leave, complete my job and get back without them noticing.
“The place across from the casino near the promenade. Begins with an M?”
I inwardly scream. This day cannot get any worse.
Of all the clubs we could go to, they pick the one whose owner I need to fucking kill?
“Your dad wants to speak to you.” Mum has appeared at the entrance of the cafeteria. She tips her head to the corridor. “Alone.”
I sigh and follow the signs back to visitation while taking deep breaths.
As soon as I walk in, Dad pins his raging gaze on me. “Sit the fuck down.”
Without flinching, I do as I’m told.
“From the beginning.” I try not to look away from the intensiveness of his gaze. “Tell me what the fuck is happening… From the very beginning, Kade.”
I shrug. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play dumb.”
“Nothing is happening.” I shake my head, looking at him with a serious expression. “Don’t bother yourself with my life.”
Darkening eyes stare at me like I’m the villain. “Are you on drugs?”
I’m certain the whites of my eyes still have a tint of red, and I absently sniff and look at my bouncing knees beneath the table. “No.”
The way I reply means there can be no doubt it’s the biggest lie I’ve ever told him. I don’t have time for any of this.
“I’m going to ask you again. Are you on—”
I abruptly stand from the table. “I’m not fucking doing this,” I snap as I walk towards the exit.
Dad yells something at me, but I block him out and gesture to the doorman to let me out.
He knows I’m on something, which means my mum will soon know. And then my plan of staying under their radar is fucked.
24
STACEY
Ilove Luciella, but with the number of dress shops she dragged me into before we headed back to the hotel, I contemplated pushing her in front of a speeding car.
Apparently, the club we’re going to is fancy and expensive, so she wants us to mix in with the glamourous girls by wearing the skimpiest goddamn dresses I’ve ever seen.