Page 53 of Volatile Waters

CHAPTER TWELVE

Escaping Numbness

Setting traps and luring the prey, that is what I was doing. It was a vicious sport that spun out of control before I could comprehend my actions. I was a hunter, out for revenge. I told myself I was angry with Crash for stealing part of Whitney’s worth. It would take time to understand the truth; I was acting on the whims of an unreasonable infatuation.

Not that I thought any infatuation was reasonable.

I asked Harold, “So, another son, yes?”

Having never contemplated children of my own, I had no idea what it was like to learn I had a son; a fully grown, almost a man son. Therefore, I lacked the compassion it called for.

Apparently, it was just as shocking for Mr. Thompson. Sitting in his den, Harold stared at me with a bewildered expression. “I swear, I didn’t know.”

With elbows resting on my thighs, I sat there on his couch. “So I heard,” was my response while texting Crash, unbeknownst to his father.

My skin felt heated as my resentment stirred. You took something that was not yours.

Crash’s response was, Nothin u dont do every day with yor profession.

Harold ran his palm down his exhausted face. “Junior knows Marina is his mother.”

Crash seemed as enraged as I. Did u fuck my mother?

I was seven.

And that means what in your world? Fucking more money!

I do not fuck children!

He had me seething, so I decided to punch him back. Now that you know who I own, you will know why I’m collecting. Maybe I will take your mother, too.

I fucking hate you!

Sarcastically, I typed, Now, you are breaking my heart…

What heart?

You shouldn’t have fucked Whitney!

U gave me no choice. I saw how u were— I winced at the set of eyeball emojis staring at me. —at her. And I kno how you operate. Whit has been soiled. You wont want her anymore.

My teeth begged for mercy from my tight jaw. This is where you are mistaken. I sell non-virgins daily. I peered up from my phone to see Harold—who wouldn’t stop staring at me—so I asked, “What?”

“I find out I have a long-lost son, only to worry you will think he’s your property—”

I held up a finger. “Which he is.”

Harold yelled, “—and you can’t get off your phone for one fucking minute?”

Adrian, waiting for me in the foyer, lifted a brow at Harold’s tone. Kirill and the other men were waiting in the SUV. Harold had no minions present as I stretched and sat back in my seat. “No need to get hostile, American.” I texted, Tell Reether to pack his bags. I’m selling his ass, too.

Touch my brother, and I will kill u dickhead!!!

Harold blinked in shock. “No need? We are talking about my son’s blood being spilled!”

Angrily I typed, I should kill you for what you have done!

Fine! Do it! Just leave them the fuck alone!