Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 99917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
The office beyond is exactly as I remember from my reconnaissance—cavernous, deliberately imposing, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a God’s-eye view of the city below. The same as the other few times I’ve been called to perform like a trained monkey for Richard’s board members. The space is dominated by a desk the size of a small boat, behind which sits the architect of my nightmares.
Richard Hayes.
He doesn’t look up immediately, a power move so transparent it would be laughable if it weren’t so effective. Make them wait. Make them watch. Establish dominance before the conversation even begins.
I’ve studied this man for years, learning his habits, patterns, and weaknesses. Memorized the lines of his face from photographs and video footage. Imagined this confrontation in a thousand different scenarios.
None of them prepared me for the reality of standing in his presence, of breathing the same air as the man who decided I was disposable. I have previously, of course, but not often here…in the seat of his power.
“Aries.” He finally looks up, hazel eyes—my eyes, our eyes—assessing me with clinical precision. “You’re late.”
“Traffic,” I reply, the lie coming easily. Aries would make excuses. Aries would want approval.
I move to the chair across from his desk, forcing my body to adopt the loose-limbed confidence of the privileged. Not too rigid. Not too formal. The casual arrogance of someone who’s never had to fight for their place in the world.
“The Tokyo acquisition,” Richard continues, sliding a folder across the polished desk surface. “The numbers don’t add up.”
I take the folder without opening it. “I thought Westlake was handling the due diligence.”
“They were. They failed.” Richard’s mouth thins with disapproval. “Which is why I need you to take point on this. Fly out tomorrow and sort through the mess they’ve made.”
Tomorrow. Japan. Halfway across the world from Lilian, from the reckoning I’ve set in motion.
Not fucking happening.
“I have commitments here,” I say, careful to keep my tone on the side of respect.”The charity gala for Patricia’s foundation—”
“Can proceed without you,” Richard cuts in. “This is my priority.”
The casual dismissal, the absolute expectation of compliance—it’s exactly how he’s always operated. How he’s controlled Aries all these years. How he’s built an empire on the backs of people who know better than to say no.
My fingers tighten around the folder, paper crinkling slightly under the pressure. I force them to relax.
“Of course,” I say, the words tasting like ash. “If that’s what you need.” But I sure as fuck won’t be stepping foot out of the city right now.
Richard studies me, head tilted slightly. Something flickers in his expression—curiosity? Suspicion? It’s gone before I can identify it.
“I need my son,” he says, voice softening in a way that sets off alarm bells in my head. “The company needs its future leadership. Especially now, with expansion plans in place.”
The shift in tone—it’s calculated, practiced. Richard doesn’t do genuine emotion. Every display of feeling is tactical, designed to achieve a specific outcome.
“The board meeting?” I prompt, steering away from whatever manipulation he’s setting up.
“Delayed until morning. I wanted to speak with you privately first.” Richard leans back in his chair, fingers steepled. “Patricia mentioned something concerning about Lilian.”
My body goes rigid despite my best efforts to remain casual. “Oh?”
“She’s missed several appointments and isn’t responding to calls or texts. Apparently, she hasn’t been seen on campus for over twenty-four hours.”
I manufacture a frown, the expression sitting unnaturally on my face. “That doesn’t sound like Lilian.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Richard’s gaze sharpens. “When was the last time you saw her?”
The question is a trap. I can feel it, sense the careful construction of it. What does he know? What is he fishing for?
“A few days ago,” I say vaguely. “She mentioned some research project she was working on. Seemed pretty absorbed in it.”
“Research.” Richard repeats the word, rolling it around like he’s tasting it. “On what subject?”
Another trap. Another test.
“She didn’t say anything specifically. Something for one of her classes.” I shrug, affecting indifference while my mind races. “You know how she gets when she’s focused on something.”
“Indeed.” Richard’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Her focus has always been... impressive. When properly directed.”
Something in his tone raises the hairs on the back of my neck. Calculation that has nothing to do with her well-being.
“Is there a reason for concern?” I ask, playing the dutiful stepbrother that Aries was supposed to be. “With her heart condition—”
“That’s precisely my concern,” Richard interrupts. “We’ve been developing a new treatment protocol in the Medical Research Division. Something that could significantly improve her quality of life.”
Cold dread spreads through my chest, freezing my lungs mid-breath. The Medical Research Division. The same corporate entity that ran The Facility where I was kept. Where they experiment on people under the guise of treatment.
Where they broke me, remade me, and tried to erase who I was.