I remember the globe in his office spinning in the afternoon light and dust motes floating in the air and the ridges of mountain ranges under my fingers. He’d spin. I’d point. When the globe came to a stop, I’d tell him about the extradition laws in that country. Banking laws. Contract laws.
“We found all the best hiding places.”
He rubs a hand up and down my back, the gesture so fatherly and affectionate that my eyes burn again. He’s not really like this. He never was. “We did. And you won, Ellie. I made sure you won. I made all those hiding places real.”
“I knew you would, Daddy.”
I haven’t called him that in a long, long time, and I didn’t think I ever would again. The frantic feeling in my chest doesn’t make any sense. I know how evil this man is. I shouldn’t be worried about the last times for anything.
And…Ididknow. Maybe not before James and Natalie Hill died, but after that? I knew the games were real.
Now they’re going to be over.
I must make some sound, because my dad pats my back. “Don’t worry. I have clothes for you, too.”
He clears his throat, his posture tensing, and I step out of his arms. “What about Catherine and Lydia and Mom?”
My father puts a finger in his collar and tugs at it, his brow furrowing. He’s nervous. Hehatesheights. He’s always hated his office at Bettencourt International, and avoids it whenever he can. I bet that’s why Gabriel’s alive. My father likes the meeting rooms on lower floors.
“It was always you and me, Elise. You were the only one worthy of it.”
For most of my life I’ve been ashamed of the little point of pride like a pilot light near my heart.
I’ve never wanted the approval of a monster.
I’ve always wanted the approval of my dad.
Tonight, I just…accept it. He’s right. Iamthe only one worthy of this. I’m the only one who’s ready.
I’m my father’s daughter, in the end.
I square my shoulders. “I know you thought I was going to choose Gabriel, but I’m not. I’m choosing you.”
He puts a hand to his heart. “I want to believe you, sweetheart, but you’ve been going through your little rebellious phase.” He means Take the Cake. The bakery I’ve been fighting to keep small instead of expanding across the world. “So, before we get on the plane, I need to confirm your intentions.”
He snaps his fingers, and his bodyguard comes forward.
I lift my arms to be patted down, ignoring how gross it feels, and open my purse for him to look inside. My dad hovers, his expression neutral while he rubs absently at one of his arms.
“No weapons.”
A big, genuine smile lights up my dad’s face. He doesn’t look evil. Not at all. That’s the thing about monsters. Sometimes, they look like someone’s dad.
They look likeyourdad.
He comes to me this time. Wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, sweetheart. It’ll be like old times, but—” A cough. Or a laugh. I can’t tell. “Better. We can rule the world together.”
“That was always the plan.”
It’s true. And it’s why I’m the only one who can end this. End him. He wanted me to run his business with him. He wanted me to get more money, and more power, until he was unstoppable. It’s the only reason he’s willing to trust me now.
I accept it. I do.
I’m just not sure who I’ll be after I do this.
I knowwhatI’ll be. A monster. A murderer. A prisoner. I won’t be able to be with Gabriel. And even if some miracle happens and I’m able to stay free, he won’t be able to be with me. Of everyone in the world, Gabriel Hill doesn’t deserve any more monsters in his life.
The light-headed, trembling feeling is already coming back as we climb the stairs and get on the plane. A flight attendant stands at the top with the pilot. He has a handsome smile, like a rugged movie star, but he was actually in the Air Force before. He was dishonorably discharged for raping a solider under his command.