I’m counting on Uncle’s understanding. Here’s to hoping he didn’t change his mind.
“She’s right upstairs,” Aunt says with a strained tone. “Let’s talk someplace else.”
I stop at the base of the stairs at the corner of the lounge area from where her voice comes through.
So she returned home last night.
“This is as good of a place as any.”
My muscles tighten at that voice.
The voice I never wanted to hear in my house.
Ever.
Could it be that I’m hearing things?
Leaning sideways, I peek slightly inside.
I wrap a hand over my mouth to smother the gasp.
It’s him.
Jonathan King.
Jonathan fucking King is sitting on the chair at the head of the lounge area. He’s wearing a black suit that seems straight out of an Armani fashion show.
Aunt and Uncle sit on the sofa opposite him.
I have a side view, but I can make out the horrified expression on Aunt’s face and the blackening of Uncle’s features.
What the hell is going on?
“Mr King,” Uncle speaks in a respectful calm tone. “Please let’s do this outside.”
“I would rather do this right here.” He appears completely relaxed like he owns the place and everyone in it.
It’s clear from whom Aiden got his infuriating confidence.
“We’re thankful for your help ten years ago,” Aunt says. “But we already paid you back.”
“Paid me back?” Jonathan deadpans. “Nothing can pay back saving a person’s life, Mrs Quinn. If I hadn’t paid for Elsa’s heart surgery, do you think she would’ve been alive?”
My heartbeat skyrockets, slamming against my ribcage and buzzing in my ears.
Jonathan paid for my surgery? Why the hell would he do that?
“You’re right,” Aunt rushes. “We didn’t have the finances and if you didn’t offer a generous hand, we wouldn’t have Elsa with us.”
“I’m no generous man, Mrs Quinn.” Jonathan plants his elbow on the armrest and leans against his hand. “I’m a businessman. I only made an investment for the future. After all, she’s the heiress to Steel’s fortune.”
“There’s no fortune!” Aunt jumps to her feet. “She’ll go nowhere near that filthy empire built by blood.”
Steel’s heiress. Empire?
I’m reeling from so much information thrown in my face. I feel like I’m going to throw up again.
Jonathan smiles. “The fact that it’s built on blood makes it even more desirable. Don’t you think?”