“I’m not an funding, I’m your daughter.”

These phrases don’t appear to penetrate in any respect. “You had been with him, weren’t you?” He appears to be like me over with disgust. “Who knew you’d develop into such a whore? Your mom goes to be devastated when she returns.”

That’s true. However not for the explanation he thinks.

Scorching moisture crowds my eyes, however I elevate my chin, resolved. Scared however able to do what’s mandatory. And it offers me power to know I’m not alone. That North is close by. Ready. In all probability going insane. However ready for me nonetheless. “I’m not going to boarding college, father. And I’m not going to the school of your selecting.”

“Oh, sure you’re,” he grates, taking a step nearer. “However simply out of curiosity, what would you do as a substitute? With out my tuition cash and affect. With out my identify? What would you do moreover find yourself within the gutter like your little boyfriend?”

“I’d be pleased,” I say, my voice gaining extra power. “I’d make my very own choices. I’d plan my very own future, as a substitute of dwelling the one you’ve determined is most respectable.”

He laughs. “Properly you positively don’t care about being respectable. Sneaking in right here in broad daylight, carrying the identical garments as yesterday. You’re a humiliation.” A vein begins to tick in his temple. “Do I’ve to remind you what I’ll do in case you don’t fall in line and keep the hell away from the fighter?”

“You wouldn’t actually try this,” I whisper, my earlier anger as soon as once more taking maintain. “You wouldn’t have him killed.”

“I guarantee you, I might. It might solely take one telephone name.” He holds up his telephone. “I tracked down his tackle proper earlier than you walked in. Took some time, as a result of his deadbeat dad and mom’ names are on the lease.” His mouth spreads right into a sinister smile. “You don’t assume Curtis Tennison is aware of the way to disguise a physique? Perhaps we’ll put your little boyfriend within the concrete after we break floor on our growth. It’ll be a reminder to you what occurs if you insurgent and besmirch the Foster identify.”

“It seems like that’s what you’re doing. Not me.”

My father rears again his hand to slap me and I shut my eyes, begging him to not. Or if he does, I pray that North can management himself just a bit bit longer. Simply wait. I’ll be okay.

Fortunately, my father shoves his fingers by way of his hair as a substitute, however his eyes are nonetheless meting out violence. I set free a gradual breath of reduction, saying, “Father, you shouldn’t be working with Tennison on the Foster growth. I do know he’s blackmailing you into utilizing Ludlow Builders, however there must be a manner out. When you give in to somebody like him, you’ll have to offer in each single time.”

He will get in my face. “Cash is cash, whether or not I make it with Tennison or elsewhere. And our partnership is already proving its benefit. I do know each politician he’s obtained in his pocket and I’m utilizing them for my very own achieve now, too. Blackmail is usually a stunning factor. So can energy. I’ve no qualms utilizing it to place a bullet between North Whitlock’s eyes.”

“I’m sorry to listen to that,” I whisper, pulling up my shirt so he can see the wire.

Behind me, the entrance door of the home bursts open, cops filling the lobby, weapons drawn.

North runs in behind them, wild-eyed, trying to find me among the many sudden pandemonium. When he sees me, he costs ahead, selecting me up and wrapping me in his arms. We again away because the law enforcement officials slap handcuffs on my shocked father, his shock slowly giving method to outrage. He calls for to see a warrant, which they current him wordlessly.

“We’re selecting up your buddy Curtis proper now on the opposite facet of city,” one of many cops we spent the morning with says, matter-of-factly. “Together with everybody who knowingly defrauded the town by way of Ludlow Builders. We knew he had his hand within the pot someplace. And if you need a good sentence in your conspiracy to commit homicide cost, you’re going to tell us each politician Tennison has been shaking down.” The cop slaps my father on the shoulder. “The reckoning has arrived.”

“Gracie. Gracie.” North rocks me, drawing my consideration, his pulse going 1,000,000 miles an hour on the base of his neck. I kiss him there soothingly and he makes a tough sound. “It’s over. Christ, thank God it’s over. I haven’t taken a fucking breath in ten minutes. You had been so courageous, child. I didn’t need you to have to do that for me. Not only for me…”

“Only for you?” I ask, wanting up into his tortured golden eyes, framing his jaw in my hand. “Only for the opposite half of my soul? There’s nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for us.”

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