Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 137077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“Wow, Rye. You really got it made in the shade here, don’tcha?”
“Say what you came to say and get the fuck out,” I demand from the doorway, not getting any closer and standing guard between him and Grace. He won’t leave until he’s done that, at least. Fucking up my life as much as he can is a bonus.
“Why’re you being so bitchy? You’d think living in the lap of luxury like this would have you feeling friendlier. Maybe even generous.” He rubs his thumb and first two fingers together meaningfully.
I shake my head, astounded at his unmitigated gall. After all this time and all the damage he’s done, after so much drama and trauma, it all boils down to money?
“That’s what this is? You want money?” He tilts his head and purses his lips like ‘I wouldn’t say no’. “Absolutely not. You’ve never gotten a dime out of me and you never will.”
I see his jaw tighten at the reminder that I have never once given him a single red cent. Hell, by leaving when I did, I probably cost him money because they could no longer take in more kids the way they’d planned. That was the only reason he officially adopted me and cut off my state-funded support checks when he did. Well, at least it was the reason he told the court and Beth. I’ve always suspected more, which is why I didn’t hang around to find out.
“You think you’re all high and mighty now that you’re working for some asshole in a suit, taking care of his spoiled brat?”
“Say that again, and I’ll have your ass,” I spit out.
He grins, an evil glint in his eyes as I show my cards too soon. “Rye, don’t you go thinking you’re on their level when we both know you’re not. You don’t deserve any of this rich bitch shit.” He waves a hand around, gesturing at the luxury of Cameron’s home. “You’re nothing but a throwaway, just an unwanted, disposable bitch. That’s all you’ve ever been. All you’re ever gonna be. Hell, your own momma died to get away from you.” He chuckles like that’s funny. Fury boils up inside me, but before I can say a word in retaliation, that sweet bitch Karma has him choking on his own spit and pounding on his chest as he coughs.
Thanks, girl, I tell Karma.
But he’s hitting my triggers, pushing all those buttons that get hard-wired in childhood when a kid goes through something like I did. A throwaway? Yeah, I felt like it every time I’d shove all my belongings in a trash bag and get sent somewhere new. Unwanted? That too, every time I tried to sit with someone at lunch and they’d tell me that seat was taken. I watched and no one ever sat there. They just didn’t want me—the foster kid—to sit with them. Disposable? Forgettable? Unimportant? Yes, yes, and yes.
I’ve done a lot of work on myself over the years to unwrite those scars and heal that damage, but they’re still there… way down deep, right where Austin knows to cut me.
All that self-therapy taught me something else too.
“You’re a small man, Austin Collins. So pathetic and spineless that you can only prey on children, lording over them because you know everyone else sees you for who you are.” I look him up and down, frowning and sneering. “Weak-willed, lazy, manipulative, a user.”
“Don’t speak to me that way. I’m your father—”
“You’re not my father!” I snap. “And I don’t know why you think throwing that word around will do you any favors when I see how you look at me. How you’ve always looked at me.” I narrow my eyes, letting every bit of the accusation lie thickly in the air.
I have spent my whole life running, cutting my losses before anyone could leave me, and drifting here and there like the wind, not feeling like I was worth a home, a family.
Things are different this time. I finally have something worth standing up for. Love.
I won’t let him steal it from me the way he’s stolen everything else from me in the past. I’m done with Austin. He will never have the hold on me that he once had. Not because he’s weaker, but because I’m stronger.
“You’ve always wanted to keep me small and scared, taking sick pleasure from my being hopeless and lonely, and it worked for a long time. But not anymore. I’m finally happy, and I won’t let you ruin that. Ever. I’ll fight back this time, Austin, and you don’t want that.”
He makes a chuffing sound, dismissing my threat. “You’re not gonna do nothing.”
It’s what he said on the phone that day. Then, it was the push that had me calling Cole. Now, it’s the push I need to go full-bore offensive because the time for defense has long passed.