With no other choice than to follow him into the room, we do, and Harvey closes the door behind us. We’re in a large office. There’s a heavy desk in the room, as well as a few leather couches. A large bookshelf covers the wall behind the desk, and I find the entire room intimidating since there are no windows in here.
“Aiden, this is my wife, Katherine.” Andrew gestures to a regal woman in a burgundy floor-length dress. She’s quite striking, in a beautiful but intimidating kind of way. “And her daughter, Evianna.” Andrew gestures at Vee, and Aiden and I stare at her openly.
“This is your ‘criminal, trailer-park thug of a no-good son’?” Evianna’s eyes are wide as she takes in Aiden’s gorgeous frame in a new light, and I know she’s trying to match the image Andrew’s painted with the tall, could-be underwear model in front of her.
I want to punch her.
“Where are your brothers?” Andrew asks, not even bothering to deny that he called Aiden those names, and as usual, completely ignoring me.
“I left the ‘stupid brats’ at home.” Aiden emphasizes Andrew’s previous words. “I didn’t want them to be a part of your game. In fact, neither do I.”
Andrew’s head tilts. “Then why did you come?”
Aiden glances at me, and I know he doesn’t really understand why himself, but I hope he got the closure he was looking for, because from the sound of it, Andrew’s still the same self-absorbed asshole he was when he left Aiden and his mom all those years ago.
“I’ve known a lot of really shitty people over the course of my life,” Aiden starts, “but none of them come even remotely close to you.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Andrew doesn’t sound sorry in the slightest.
“I didn’t come here with the intention of wanting anything from you,” Aiden tells him. “But now, I think I want everything.”
Andrew shares a glance with his wife. She gives him an approving nod. They were prepared for this.
Andrew’s tone is confident and a little cocky. “We have enough money to make sure you and your brothers never have to work a day in your life.”
I know Aiden’s not missing the fact that Andrew only refers to Jason and Jackson as “your brothers,” and not “my sons.”
“I don’t want your money.”
“Then what—”
“I had a conversation with Vivienne Henfrey, earlier.” Aiden cuts Andrew off, looking right at home even though we’re in the middle of a snake pit. “She really doesn’t like you.”
Andrew’s “we’re family, son” manner falls, and I see him for who he truly is as he sends Aiden a venomous look. “A lot of work and money has gone into this campaign, Aiden.” He’s trying to stay calm, trying to remain in control of the situation. “A lot of people are counting on me. From the way this campaign is going, I will become governor. People love me, they think I’m a champion for the underdog, fighting for them and their children. You understand, then, why I can’t afford a scandal right now.”
“What kind of scandal are you talking about, Andrew?” Aiden asks him, knowing full well what he’s talking about but wanting to hear him say the words.
Andrew’s lips turn up at the corners, his eyes cold and calculating. “If you’re anything like me, you’re a smart man. Smart enough to know that all of our unfortunate pasts should just stay where they belong. We wouldn’t want them to ruin my reputation.” He glances at me for what must be the first time since we entered, and I don’t miss how pointed of a look it is.
“And why should I give a fuck about your reputation?” Aiden challenges, and anyone other than Andrew would’ve shriveled up into nothing.
Andrew doesn’t hesitate. “I’m a very powerful man, Aiden. And I know a lot of people—people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty. Remember, it’s not just about you.”
Another pointed look at me. Goose bumps break out on my arms.
Aiden doesn’t hesitate. “Is that a threat?”
Andrew tugs on his expensive-looking cufflinks, completely unfazed by his son’s intimidating demeanor. “You can interpret that statement however you want. It won’t make it any less true.” Andrew straightens. “I always knew I was destined for something greater than being stuck in that tiny house with a dying woman and a bunch of ungrateful kids. I’m not going to let some punk ruin my goals.”
Aiden straightens as well, his back stiff, and I can feel his resolve to not hit Andrew dissolving into nothing. I quickly put my hand on his arm, which is seconds away from causing some serious pain, even though I, myself, want to punch Andrew. I’ve stayed quiet until now, trying to let Aiden handle it the way he wants to, but now I’m pissed off. Andrew not only insulted his dead wife, but Aiden, Jason, and Jackson, all while threatening him to get him to stay quiet about the truth of who Andrew actually is.
I put as much venom in my words as I possibly can. “So what? You desert your sick, pregnant wife and young son? Con Katherine into marrying you since she has money? Run for mayor, for governor, lie to the people, and pretend to be something you’re not so that you can fill the void in your life? That void that you just can’t seem to fill, because you know that no matter what you do, no matter who you pay to like you or intimidate into fearing you, no matter how much money you have, you’ll never come close to amounting to anything. You’ll always be a piece of shit coward and a sorry excuse of a man.”
Andrew narrows his eyes at me, his lips tilting up at the corners the slightest bit, almost as if he’s intrigued by me. He addresses Aiden but keeps his eyes trained on me. “Your girlfriend has quite the mouth on her. Make sure to keep Amelia in line as well, or I’ll send someone to do it for you.”
When he stresses my name like that, I know he’s the kind of powerful man who can quickly become a big problem, can easily do more damage than good. A shiver runs down my spine. Aiden’s whole body tenses, and I almost let him do whatever damage he wants, but quickly squeeze his arm and address Andrew before he can react.
I send him a sinister smile. “You know where to find m