Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 141556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“Sit down,” Roman orders.
Kade doesn’t move. “Dad, he’s obviously covering for—”
“I said sit down.”
The command in Roman’s voice is absolute. Kade hesitates, his hands curling into fists, then slowly sinks back into his chair. But the rage is still there, simmering just below the surface. Waiting for permission to explode.
Roman takes another long drink from his glass. Drains it. Reaches for the bottle of whiskey beside his plate and pours himself three fingers' worth. The alcohol glugs into the glass, the sound obscenely loud in the tense silence.
“You know what I think?” Roman says, his words slurring heavily. “I think my boys are all too soft. Too weak. None of you would have the balls to do what Calder’s claiming he did alone.” He takes a drink, then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “You want to know why I know that? Because I’ve watched all of you. Studied you. Waited for one of you to show some spine, some ambition, some killer instinct that wasn’t beaten into you.”
He points at Sawyer. “You. Always in your head. Always calculating. Never willing to get your hands dirty unless necessary.”
Sawyer’s expression doesn’t change, but I can see his breathing quicken. See the slight tremor in his fingers as they grip the table edge.
Roman’s finger swings to Levi. “And you. The baby. All charm and smiles and no substance. You think riding bulls makes you tough? Makes you a man? You’re playing cowboy while real men do real work.”
Levi’s face flushes red, but he holds Roman’s gaze. Doesn’t look away. Doesn’t apologize for existing.
Then Roman’s attention lands on Kade, and something shifts in his expression. Something cruel. “And you.”
Kade straightens in his chair. “What about me?”
“You’re the worst of them all.”
I watch Kade’s face carefully. See the way he goes absolutely still. The way hope and dread war in his expression. He’s always wanted Roman’s approval more than any of us. Always pushed harder, worked longer, and been more ruthless in his attempt to earn a place at the table.
Now, Roman’s about to destroy him.
“You spend your whole life trying to be worthy,” Roman continues, his voice thick with alcohol and contempt. “Trying to prove yourself. Trying to earn what your brothers got by birth. And no matter how hard you try, it’ll never happen.”
“I’ve done everything you asked,” Kade says, and there’s a rawness in his voice that makes my chest ache. “Everything.”
“You have, but that doesn’t matter, because at the end of the day, you’re not a real Bishop.”
The words hit like a sucker punch to the gut.
Kade goes pale. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, did I forget to mention that?” Roman laughs, the sound vicious. “You’re my son, Kade. Biologically speaking, but your mother…” He takes another drink. “Your mother was Emma Porter.”
The room tilts. I feel it in my bones, in my blood. Feel the revelation explode through the space like a grenade, sending shrapnel in every direction. Sawyer makes a sound, something between a gasp and a curse. Levi’s mouth falls open. Saint’s hand tightens on mine, her nails digging into my palm.
And Kade. Kade just stares at Roman like he’s been shot. Like the bullet is still lodged in his chest and he’s waiting to see if he’ll bleed out.
“Emma Porter,” Kade repeats, his voice hollow. “Allie’s mother.”
“That’s right. Twenty-six years ago, she made the mistake of catching my attention. We had an affair. She got pregnant. Tried to leave town with you in her belly, but I convinced her that wouldn’t be wise.” Roman’s smile is cold. Satisfied. “So after she had you, I took you. Raised you as a Bishop because I could. It was the ultimate fuck-you to the Porter family. Taking their heir and making him my weapon.”
“You took me.” Kade’s words come out flat. Dead. “You took me from my mother.”
“I saved you from a life of mediocrity. The Porters are nothing. Weak. Soft. I gave you strength. Purpose. A legacy.”
“A legacy.” Kade laughs, and the sound is broken. Jagged. “You raised me to destroy my own family. To hate my own blood. And you think that’s a gift?”
“I’m calling it justice. Emma Porter thought she could refuse me. Thought she could take what was mine and run. I showed her what happens when people try to leave this family. When they think they can defy me.”
Roman finishes his drink and pours another. The whiskey is affecting him more now, loosening his tongue, stripping away the calculated control he usually maintains. “You want to know the best part? I told her if she ever tried to see you, if she ever tried to contact you or claim you as hers, I’d kill you myself. She spent twenty-six years living ten miles away from her own son, watching him grow up, and never said a word.”