Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“You did that for me, Dad?”
“Of course,” Dad replies, his voice steady. “I’d never let you go to prison.”
“Even if I kill again?”
Dad’s eyes darken, but his answer is firm. “I’d prefer you didn’t. But yes, even then.”
“It’s not like I’m a serial killer or anything, don’t worry.” I pause. “Though I think I would’ve become one if I didn’t have a loving family, so there’s that. I also found something to fill up the emptiness…”
The words linger as a realization punches me in the gut.
Oh.
The void hasn’t plagued me in months.
Because of Kayden.
I was so obsessed with him, so distracted by his sheer presence, bursting at each of his praises that not only did the void shrink, I also forgot about it.
He filled it, saturated the emptiness with his existence, his touch. He took me to that peaceful white room.
But now, knowing I was just another stand-in for her, the void is back. Ten times worse than before.
Wider.
Deeper.
Emptier.
“Something?” Dad prompts, his tone expectant. “Is this about the numerous calls we received about wooing a certain girl?”
I gulp. “I…it’s not about a girl.”
His brows knit together.
“It was a man,” I admit, my voice faltering.
The silence is deafening.
Yeah, this isn’t how I wanted to come out—if this even counts as coming out.
Well, fuck it. Who cares?
Obviously, my dad and grandpa do, because they’re just staring at me.
“Doesn’t matter anyway. We’re not together anymore,” I grumble, sinking into the bed like it might swallow me whole. “And before you ask, I don’t think I’m gay. Maybe bi. Not entirely sure, and honestly, I don’t want to box myself in. What I do know is that he’s the only man I’ve ever been attracted to. You know I’ve only dated girls, so this might be…a surprise.”
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being gay or bi,” Dad says, his eyes narrowing like he’s trying to read my mind. “I’m just trying to figure out who this guy is. Someone we know?”
“He’s not important,” I mutter, avoiding his gaze.
Grandpa’s chair scrapes back as he bolts upright. “Gareth Anthony Carson!”
“What?” I jerk my head toward him, my heart thudding.
Dad’s glare shifts to Grandpa. “Why are you yelling at my son?”
Grandpa pinches the bridge of his nose. “This someone…he wouldn’t happen to be the same man who called me to say you were ‘under his care’ and then hung up in my face, would he? No, that’s not possible. Right, Gareth?”
My lips part, and the room tilts slightly.
Kayden called Grandpa? To let him know I was okay?
“It’s true?” Grandpa’s face turns red, his voice rising. “God fucking dammit, Gareth! He’s your father’s age!”
“Actually,” I cut in, holding up a hand, “he’s thirty-three. Dad is forty-seven. So you’re way off the mark.”
Grandpa’s shoulders stiffen, his jaw tightening. “That’s not the point here.”
“Then what is the point? That I fell for someone who happens to be older?”
“Yes!” Grandpa’s voice booms, his frustration palpable. “He is old, Gareth. Why didn’t you tell us? We could’ve protected you from him.”
“I didn’t need protecting!” My voice slices through the tension, sharp and biting. “I’m not some fragile doll. I can handle myself.”
“Clearly,” Grandpa grits out, leaning forward. “Until you end up kidnapped and injured. You’re still a child—”
“I’m twenty-two!”
“And he’s in his thirties!”
“Can we not make this about the numbers?” I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “You’re acting like I brought home someone on Social Security.”
Grandpa’s lips twitch, betraying the faintest hint of amusement before his scowl returns. “Gareth, this isn’t just about his age. It’s about the dynamic. Did he manipulate you? Use his position to—”
“No,” I snap, cutting him off. “I threatened to kill him if he left me. Happy now?”
Silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating.
Grandpa finally exhales heavily, rubbing his temples. “Threatened to kill him or not, you’re my grandson, and I don’t like the thought of anyone taking advantage of you.”
“Noted,” I reply dryly. “But maybe trust me when I say he didn’t.”
Dad, who’s been quietly observing the whole exchange, leans back, his expression unreadable. “Can someone fill me in?”
Grandpa scoffs. “Well, your dear son thought it was a fantastic idea to go out with Kayden Davenport.”
“The Kayden Davenport?” Dad’s brows shoot up.
“The one and only,” Grandpa mutters darkly.
“I didn’t even know his last name was Davenport,” I add with an awkward shrug. “Does that help?”
“Age aside, he obviously played you to try to get to me.” Grandpa sits back down. “Fucking bastard. I will send people to kill him. Don’t worry, Gareth. It’s not your fault for falling for that snake’s tricks.”
“So let me get this straight,” Dad says slowly, his voice even. “Kayden Davenport, whose wife was raped and murdered by Senator Baltimore and his friends, and who definitely killed or had them killed over the past couple years, is the same person you’ve been…in love with?”