*****

TRIGGER WARNING

​​

*****

Dane

By the end he wasn't even watching, just sitting there, trembling, screaming in his mind. He hadn't forgotten this day, but… seeing it again took him back until he could smell it. He raked a shaking hand through his hair and waited.

When the video stopped, Felix raised an eyebrow at him. "Had you forgotten that one?"

"No."

"Strong reaction if it wasn't shock."

"Forgive me, Felix, but there's been a lot going on. I hadn't mentally prepared to watch reruns of my own greatest hits."

"Your wife is watching it right now."

"What?" Dane snapped. "You said it was planned… you said the lawyers—"

"All true. The plan was to get it out to those close to you today so the lawyers can have their little panic attack tomorrow and… spoiler alert! Then the rest of the world will get it."

"You're turning me into a criminal. How does that help you? Am I just going to a be prisoner? How does that help Dad if I can't be seen in public without getting arrested?"

"We don't have to keep you prisoner, we own the Police. As to the other point—you turned yourself into a criminal twelve years ago."

"What about the statute of limitations?"

"The jury's out. It depends what state they decide you did this in."

Dane tipped his head and stared at Felix. "But even if they do pin it on me, here, it doesn't matter, right? Because dad's got those friends in high places and they'll make sure I don't get locked up."

Felix shrugged. "True. Sort of. Our Police will put the heat on so no one questions why you got away with it. But ultimately, yes, if you stay with us, you'll be safe."

"Then why are even sitting here?"

"Because I wanted to see your reaction."

Dane opened his hands and they were no longer shaking. "Unpleasant. A bit of a shock. But manageable."

Felix stared at him for a long moment and Dane held the gaze. It was a test, he knew. And he would pass this one. This one was easy.

Staying sane knowing Lila had watched what amounted to a snuff film that he played a starring role in? That was going to be a lot harder.

"Your wife is going to get a new phone in the next day or two. We're saving the last ones for a direct assault on your marriage. Fewer people will be more interested in your sexual exploits than your wife, I'm sure."

Inside, a part of Dane's heart withered. "Okay, Felix. I get it. I don't remember you being one to flog a dead horse. So what's going on? I get it! You're going to make Lila never want to see me again. You're going to take my financial security, and my public reputation. Got it. What more do you want?"

"He's never going to let you out, Dane, you need to accept that," the man said, and Dane would have sworn a shadow passed behind his eyes.

"I already have."

Felix shook his head. "Well, that's good to hear," he said. He stared at Dane, then got up and walked to a spot on one of the cabinets at the side and played with it before he returned to his seat. "We're alone now."

"Why?"

"Because I'm going to tell you the truth: You can bullshit the others, Dane—including your father, to some degree—but you won't bullshit me. I know you. I know the child you were—the real one, not the one your father wanted to see. I know you—the you that never gave up. That let himself be beaten stupid to save his brother from it. That killed his dog because he knew if he didn't, he'd be forced to hurt something, or should I say someone, worse. I watched you give up to save others for years. And then when you finally stood up to him, used his obsession with his legacy through you to your own advantage, he took away the one person you leaned on. Now he's taken your brother, too. And he's starting in your wife. I know you, Dane." He leaned forward over the table. "I know the harder you're pushed into a corner, the more stubborn you become. You're like a dog with a bone. And I know your rage against your father is an awesome thing. I don't blame you, frankly. If my dad fucked me up the way yours did? Well, I know you're a better man than me, because I would have shot the man myself years ago. So, no, Dane, I don't believe you've accepted that you have to become your father's man—or that your wife will leave you. Not yet."

Dane leaned forward too and held Felix's gaze. "You forgot one thing."

"What's that?"

"Under these circumstances, all those things you just listed about me? They require that I stay with my dad. I would do anything to keep her safe. Anything. Even let her learn to hate me. If it keeps her alive and healthy, I'll run into the arms of the devil himself."

"What if you could save her? What if you could get out of here before the real shit hits the fan. What would you be willing to do then?"

"Nothing. It's too risky."

"What if it wasn't? What if it solved a problem we both had?"

Dane didn't even hesitate. "I'm not falling for it, Felix. I know what you're doing. You don't need to. I'm here."

Felix smirked. "Listen to me, Dane: You aren't the only person who hates your father. Not by a long shot. You aren't the only person who burns up inside wishing he was dead. But you are the only person who can get close enough to make it happen."

"He didn't even trust me with clothes, Felix. I can't get close to him with anything."

"That's where you're wrong. Because your dad knows you have a conscience."

"So? It's not like I've denied it."

Felix's smile grew. "But don't you see, Dane? That means you aren't a cold-blooded killer. That means he trusts you not to look him in the face, then kill him."

The words fell to the table in front of them like rocks. Dane blinked. Hesitated. Then cursed himself. "Felix, stop, I'm not trying to prove anything to you. I'm—"

"You miss my point, Dane. I'm not asking you to prove anything to me. I'm working to prove something to you."

"What?"

"That ultimately, you and I both want the same thing."

"Which is what?"

"To never have to think about your father again."

Dane sat back in the chair.

*****

NEED MORE GOOD READS? Check out my NEW book in the author note below! New Chapters every day!