But something I did that day must have tipped Milo off. He wasn’t one to blindly take orders, but more of a companion for Dirk besides filling his duties as a bodyguard. The only reason I could figure that he stuck by Dirk's side, instead of trying to climb the ranks, was that he enjoyed being right where he was. Regardless of the reasoning, he’d filled Dirk in on my monthly trips, the only times that Winston let me very far from his side, and then Dirk had shown up for my next check-in.
When we drove by, Shelby had been out by the road, cutting back the vegetation that forever tried to eat up any and all paths in the humid and hot area, and an obsession had been born in the man. He hadn't tried to talk to her then, not that I'd have let him, no matter what he threatened after he’d insisted on coming with me, but he'd been fixated from the start.
Much like Winston, I hadn’t known what Dirk was up to with her, or that he'd even initiated contact with her, and then it was too late to try to dissuade him. Not that it likely would have done much good before, which was why I hadn’t tried, but his father would have had better luck. I’d stupidly hoped he would lose whatever fascination he held for her, but while Winston and I had been in and out of the area dealing with business, Dirk had used those opportunities to secretly court Shelby.
When Winston had gotten wind of Dirk’s inattention to the Jenkins girl and made arrangements to return home early, it had only been to find the news of his son's engagement spreading through the gossips like wildfire. For whatever reason, and my supposition was that it was for leverage against Dirk, Winston was allowing the situation to continue. I knew I was choosing my own agenda over the girl that had taken up residence in the only soft spot left in me, but I couldn’t do a damn thing about any of it without tipping my hand. Chances were high that she’d eventually hate me for my choices.
As I dwelled on my decision to ruin someone else's life, it vaguely registered that Winston was giving Nina a laundry list of tasks to handle, and Rafe wasn’t on board. Not that the idiot was ever on board with much his father had to say. His outburst though, was what fully drew me from stewing in my guilt.
“I can’t listen to any more of this, and I hope Shelby tells you all where to stick it.” Rafe was pissed, and I didn’t think his flushed state was only over his anger. He’d been hitting the alcohol pretty heavily, heavily enough to loosen his tongue more than normal, and that was a dangerous thing to do around this house. Yet even knowing the repercussions, he didn't stop, or even slow down. “You’re just going to turn her into a pretty little doll to trot out at functions while every move she makes is predetermined. I should warn her about what she’s getting into with this family the way someone should have warned my mother!” He roughly pushed his chair, wobbling a bit as he stood, but I was keeping my eye on the real issue… Winston.
“I wouldn't suggest getting in between your brother and his paramour. He’s rather possessive of this one and has gone to great lengths to get his way," the elder Hamilton warned. "I believe you will accompany me until the school year begins. I’ll need someone to step in for Carter anyway, and that will give me time to evaluate who I can get to assist me long-term. Best to keep you out of trouble rather than end up dealing with the headache it would cause to spin a story and dispose of whatever Dirk left of you and the girl if you tried it.” That part got through Rafe’s inebriated state. His disbelief would have been comical if Winston hadn’t been dead serious. Even Nina paled, her wide mouth flattening into a thin line, at the threat of Dirk’s temper. Not one of us was stupid enough to bring up where he got it from, though I knew we were all looking at the source.
A very subdued, "I'll be ready in the morning," was all he said in reply. He didn't waste time as he gathered himself before pushing his chair in and quietly taking his leave.
Winston only waited until the door swung shut again behind his son, then he excused Nina after making sure she understood her role. Dirk might have hired her, but Winston’s word was law, and we were all well aware of it. At least it was until he was out of the picture, but that was something no one could predict a timeline for. A stress headache built behind my eyes, and I prayed that Winston would hurry up and spit out whatever he was waiting to say to me so I could set up my new accommodation. The newest torture I'd have to suffer at the hands of this man.
“If it becomes necessary, you’ll remove the girl from play. I won’t have her disrupting my household.” My stomach clenched at his order, threatening to expel what little bit of dinner I’d managed to eat. I can’t. I could never hurt her.
“What about Dirk?" I tried, hoping he had any amount of regard for his son. "He obviously has feelings for her…” As much as it pained me to admit it, the man had never been this way over a woman. I just wished it wasn’t over this particular one.
Winston arched a brow as he sat his glass back down with a thump on the table. “He’ll get over it. I did.” Any hope was dashed with his callousness.
Resolving myself to how the story of Shelby would end, I gave Winston a curt nod. “Of course, sir. I’ll do what’s needed. I always have.”
With a noise I took as approval, he went back to his dinner, waving me off when I asked if he required anything else from me. I had to get the fuck out of there, fast. I could almost see the ashes of the last of my humanity sitting where I had been… right next to the man who had ruined my life, taken those of my family, and would likely take that of the last person I had truly cared about. But I couldn’t sacrifice all for her, no matter how much I’d wanted to in the past. That was why I'd left her sleeping that night long ago.