“I hear you’re flying to London,” he sneers. The darkness in his tone tells me that something else is about to happen, and me flying across the ocean isn’t one of those things.
“Maybe.”
“I want you at Thorne Haven,” he tells me. “My honeymoon is coming up, and I will be away.” There’s no debating with him. If he’s made his mind up about something, then that’s what’s going to happen. I learned a long time ago, after my mother walked out, that Bradford Thorne is a man who’s no longer soft and caring: he’s cold, calculating. He’s nothing more than a grown-up bully with narcissistic tendencies.
“I wanted to check in on the offices,” I tell him.
“That can wait. Listen to me, Damien, you’re the eldest. Your brothers need you, and your new sister is going to need help finding her way. You should be there to get to know her.” There’s a warning in his tone that tells me he doesn’t trust me around her; which begs the question, why is he forcing me to stay at the house with her?
“Fine,” I sigh in resignation. To be fair, I can leave her in Cassian’s hands since he’s the least likely to want to get into her panties. “I’ll be home when they arrive.” I think about the drive home, and I look forward to it. Thorne Haven is nestled in the middle of nowhere. Which is exactly what I like about it. Forests, mountains, and not much else. Our home is one of the oldest properties in the Pacific Northwest.
Seventeen fucking hours.
“Thank you, Damien. You know, if you can do this for me, I’ll ease up on the restrictions in place for you taking over Thorne Industries.” He’s taunting me with promises I know he won’t deliver on. I don’t understand why he can’t be honest and tell me he doesn’t want to let go of the company.
“Don’t put yourself out. I’m not doing this for you. I know you may not realize this, but I do love my brothers, and leaving them with some new girl who doesn’t know shit about our family isn’t something I’ll do.”
“I would like you at the reception tonight, don’t be late. I don’t want to have to call you again,” he tells me, then hangs up immediately, ignoring the rest of my tirade. I’m left with a command I can’t ignore and anger racing through my veins.
Thorne Industries was started by my grandfather. A company built with old money, with the blood, sweat, and tears of those who came before us, and Bradford believes he can just walk in, rule the roost, and not do shit in the office. When I turned eighteen, I begged him to allow me to work for him, interning while I was studying, but my father has always hated me. I know he sees my mother when he looks at me.
Black hair, blue eyes, I’m the spitting image of Mommy Dearest, and that’s why my father hates me. The day I turned twenty-one, he gave me my inheritance and told me to do what I wanted with it. So, I did; I invested it, and I live off the profits. He thinks I’m young and stupid, and I’ll blow it all, but what he doesn’t realize is that I learned how to do business from him.
Be shrewd.
Be calculating.
And, be an asshole.
After sliding my phone into my pocket, I grab my keys, wallet, and suitcase, and head for the door. Time to grab something to wear tonight since it looks like I’ll be in attendance to celebrate the happy couple, even when I don’t want to be. Also, I’ll have some time to think about just how much hell I can give this new girl when I meet her.
I’m coming, little sister.
I hope you’re afraid of the big bad wolf.
3
Nesrin
Present Day
The lavish party plays on as I make my way down the stairs and into the main dining hall of our beautifully stylish home. The room has been changed, making it look more like a party venue than a space where the family would sit down to eat. This house, the same place that I grew up in, and the only place I’ve ever called home, feels vastly different.
Three floors of Italian marble, infamous original artworks hanging against the walls, and carpets handwoven by the most prolific weavers around the world. Crystal clinks as the guests cheer and smile at each other. Each one as fake as the last. My mother has changed into a sleek silver dress that hangs to the floor.
Her wedding reception is in full swing with the guests mingling, most of them circling my mother and Bradford as if they’re the newest celebrity couple. People hang onto every word from my mother’s new husband.
The gold-rimmed railing of the staircase is confirmation enough of how wealthy my mother is in her own right. And it’s also a stark reminder of how drastically life can change. I can’t find it in myself to smile, but I know if I don’t, she’ll be on my case.