Long enough.
It has to be.
I can’t lose her.
I won’t.
Especially not before I tell her how much she means to me.
30
BLAZE
As soon as the lights go out, I make my way toward my father. He doesn’t check his phone or attempt to flee, only watching as I stop in front of him.
“I was wondering if you’d approach me,” he says. “What is this stunt meant to do? You already have all the information you need about these people.”
His bodyguards, Isaac and Sven, stay close to him.
“It’s meant to put an end to all of this,” I say steadily. “You didn’t think I could do it, did you?”
George shakes his head. “Did I think you would be stupid enough to endanger our entire legacy, all because you got bewitched by some cunt? No, I had higher expectations of you than that.”
I wonder how true that is.
All my life, I’ve done what my father demanded.
I never questioned him.
I never went against him.
I’ve listened to him call me a coward; I’ve stayed silent as he belittled my abilities.
I never once thought he believed in me. That’s why I had to bethe top dog. I had to prove to him I could be just as vicious and ruthless as he was, so he’d acknowledge me.
“I’m done with you,” I say, my voice steady even as the crowd begins to shout.
People are trying to leave the bleachers and rush for the doors, but Reaper and his crew are there to wrangle people back. They’re supposed to grab all the phones and wallets and make sure nobody is leaving too early in the game.
River must already be dragging Allers to Pandora.
I’m going to be there for her.
We’ll take him apart together, and I’ll watch her shine as she’s meant to shine.
I turn away from my father.
“Where do you think you’re going?” George demands. “Isaac, stop him.”
Shit. I manage to avoid getting grabbed by Isaac, but he’s fast despite his size.
Where’s Asch?
“You can still walk away, Dad,” I say. “Your phone might be compromised, but if you’re fast, you can prevent a bigger disaster for yourself.”
He shakes his head. “The only disaster here is you, and the fact that you’re being led around by your hormones. Women are things we use, Blaze, not ones we follow.”
My breath stops in my throat.
