Page 141 of Watched

“Isla,” her father scolds. “Share.”

“Argh, fine,” she groans, slamming a pom-pom to my chest.

“Thanks, kid.”

Twenty minutes into the first half, it’s 1-1, and Isla continues screaming orders to Rome while Delilah and Rome’s grandfather, Arthur, throws daggers at me from beside her.

Rome’s teammate dribbles the ball toward the goals, Rome sprinting down the other side of the pitch. The ball floats into the air, and my mouth falls open when Rome does a bicycle kick. The entire stadium erupts as the ball hits the back of the net.

“Yeah!” Isla screams, shaking her pom-pom.

Rome points to the team’s box with a wide grin, and I whistle and shake my pom-pom with Isla. His head tips back with a laugh.

“He is great.” I grit my teeth at the sound of my father’s voice.

“What do you want?” I clip.

“You’ve been ignoring my calls.”

Placing the pom-pom on the table, I move past him to an empty table, still with a view of the game. “I’ve been recovering.”

He sighs, gaze dropping to my back. “I know, but I was right when Blade was in hospital, was I not? Your incessant want for independence almost got you both killed.”

I meet his cold stare. “I see it more as a lack of trust. You sent Blade after Rome. What did you expect?” Before he can dribble his bullshit answer, I continue, “I’m aware of why Blade and I receive the best medical care—not because you love us, but because you need to protect your assets. I’m giving you the opportunity to stop the bullshit empire expansion you’ve been on for the last five years. I don’t forgive you, nor do I want to, but the love of my life has shown me redemption is possible. Mum’s dead. You can’t fight to save her. Will you fight to be a decent father for me and Blade?”

He looks back to the game with a high head. “That’s all I’ve ever done. Made you both strong. Unbreakable.”

“No, you’ve used us to your advantage. Keeping Blade away from Alexa was your only way to control him. You failed miserably at pinning us against one another.”

“Are you under the assumption I won’t do what I always promised if you aided in him getting to her?”

I smile. “You’re underestimating how far Blade and I would go for one another. I didn’t want to see him dead, but Blade has made me realise that just because you and I are blood, that doesn’t make us family.” I step to him, quieting my voice. “I know if either of us makes a move to kill you, you’ve ensured Blade’s life will be taken, but if you go near my family again, I will fucking kill you, Aaron.” He looks at me, fury blazing in his eyes. “You’re playing nothing but a shitty façade. You’re scared of him and me.” I allow my smile to widen. “The Weston name also ends with me. When I marry Rome, I’ll be taking his last name.”

“He still owes me his grandfather’s estate,” he spits.

“I can shut down your entire fucking empire, Aaron.”

A devious smile curls his lips. “You really want to test me on that? Are you willing to bet on the lives of Blade and Alexa?”

Fucking cunt.

“I also had a look at that contract of yours, the one you had drawn up by an incompetent outside lawyer. Unfortunately, he’s been disbarred, and all his recent cases are being audited.”

Darkness takes over his eyes, and I can’t tell who’s more unhinged. More fucking manipulative: him or Blade.

A cold chuckle bounces his chest. “You did gift Rome £20 million. I’m sure he can purchase another home for his grandfather while convincing his team members to promote Weston & Myer.”

“I will fucking kill you,” I spit through my teeth.

He slowly steps back towards the door. “You always were a sore loser, son.”

Chapter fifty-eight

RAIN

One month later

“Rain…Rain…”