ATTICUS
Itossed the card down onto the table, tired of looking at my father’s face. I’d made flashcards of everyone’s picture with the secrets I’d gathered written on the back and was making a chart on a corkboard. My plan was to place the ones together that would enact the most damage to my father’s empire. He was spiraling based on the few phone calls I’d already received.
The phone rang again, and I sighed, glancing over at the desk. The image of Loren sprawled out on it as I took a phone call replayed in my head, and I had to shift my cock as I made my way over to it. Leaning against the wood, I picked up the receiver, bringing it to my ear.
“Yes?”
“That’s how you answer the phone?” my father asked. I’d been expecting him to call any day now, so I wasn’t surprised he’d finally caved. He was playing right into my hands. I kept silent, not giving him anything.
“I know what you’re planning,” he spat out after a minute of silence.
“Oh?” I asked, feigning interest.
“You won’t find anything on me, Son. You’ll lose, and then I’ll use your bitch of a wife and your sister to further my plans.”
I gritted my teeth, knowing he was baiting me. I wouldn’t let him get a reaction out of me. “Is that all you called about? To make idle threats? If I didn’t know any better, Father, I’d say you were the scared one.”
He scoffed, only confirming my assessment. I wanted to gloat on this small win, but it was too soon to declare victory, especially up against a foe like Dayton. He wouldn’t go down easy.
“The only thing I’m scared of is whether or not I can get your bloodstains out of my white shirt. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Oh? Do we have a meeting I don’t remember making?”
“Don’t think you can throw an exclusive party, and I won’t come.”
“I don’t remember inviting you. Only members with the password will be let in. It would be a shame for you to be turned away at the door.”
“I have my ways, Son. I’ll bring you a gift.”
He hung up before I could say anything else, but it didn’t matter. The trap had been set, and it was ready to be sprung. My father would get what was coming to him tomorrow night.
Walking back to the table, I picked up his card, smiling. Placing it in the center of the board, I stuck a push pin into his forehead, feeling some small pleasure from the act.
Tomorrow night, Dayton Mascro would crumble.
* * *
A few hours later,I was going blind from staring at the computer screen. Rubbing my eyes, I was surprised when a knock sounded at the door. Looking up, I was even more surprised when it was Jude. He walked in at my nod, one of the dogs trailing behind him. I should probably learn their names since they would be a permanent fixture in my life now.
“What can I do for you, Jude?” I asked, sitting up.
“I was wondering,” he started, fidgeting with his hands. He swallowed, straightening his back as he seemed to gather his bearings. “I was wondering if I could cash in my favor. I know I technically haven’t earned it yet since we didn’t start school, but… a favor is a favor, right?”
I smiled, liking his tenacity. “Sure, Jude. I think you’ve earned it. Sit and tell me about this request.”
He smiled, some of the tension leaving him. “Well, it’s kind of two parts, you see. You remember how you asked me last time about my feelings for Imogen?”
My body stiffened as I nodded, focused on his face. “Yes.”
“And I told you it was a conversation I needed to have with her first?”
I nodded again, no words this time. I watched as he swallowed, holding my eyes the whole time.
“Well, we had the talk, sir, and we’ve decided to be together.”
“Be… together?” I asked, my teeth grinding as I tensed my jaw. “So, you’re what? Coming to tell me you’re going to have sex with my little sister? Is the favor not to kill you?”
Jude spluttered, his face turning red. “Um, no, I mean, be together as in boyfriend/girlfriend. No sex!”