I know it’s no use, but I’ve got to do something. Anything.
“C’mon, stop that bullshit and just sit down,” Lex barks.
I turn to look around, but there is literally nothing in this room I could use as a weapon. It’s like everything has been stripped in a premeditated fashion. Like they knew I’d be coming and that I would make trouble.
Lex points at the couch. “Let’s have a chat.”
I stare at him and my father, wondering what they’ve been scheming. Whatever their plans are, they can’t be good.
“No,” I growl from my corner.
Lex raises a brow. “Would you prefer it if I put you in the cell immediately?”
Panic seeps into my bones.
I swiftly spur into action and huddle to the couch, farthest away from both of them.
“Good girl.” He looks over at my father. “See, a little motivation is all she needs.”
“Hmm …” my father grumbles in response.
“Why? Why would you do this?” I ask him.
But there is no answer. Of course.
“Were you forced?”
Lex begins to laugh. “Nonsense. He came to me out of his own free will.”
My eyes widen.
Beast … he was right all along, and I didn’t believe him because I stupidly believed my father still had a semblance of a heart.
“Where else was he supposed to go? He has nothing left,” Lex says, laughing his head off like it’s all one big funny joke to him. “He’s lucky I didn’t murder him on sight.”
I swallow away the nerves when Lex picks up a cigar and lights it on fire. “I would’ve burned out his eyes if he hadn’t told me the code to that fantastic bank account.”
“So you gave him the money after all,” I mutter. “You had it. Even before, when you were still free, you could’ve given it to him and set me free.” I clench my teeth. Every last inch of guilt I felt over not trying to save my father vanishes. “You chose to let me be a prisoner here.”
“Aurora … Did you honestly think your father loved you?” Lex muses, snorting. “Come now, he gave you away like it came easy to him.”
“It wasn’t easy,” he suddenly interjects. “But your choices made it impossible for me to stand by you.”
“What?” I frown.
“You chose thatbeastover me,” he hisses, frothing at the mouth. “Your own father!”
“He saved your life!” I yell back. “And mine!”
“And where did that get you both?” Lex interrupts. “Right back into my arms with nothing left to offer.” He takes a deep whiff of the cigar and blows out a breath in my direction.
“Was it worth it?” I growl at my father. “Trading your own daughter for your life?”
He slams his mouth shut, too proud to even admit what he’s doing is the lowest of lows.
“And I used to think you loved me,” I murmur through gritted teeth.
“Love is overrated,” Lex says, taking another whiff. “My Beast showed me that much.”