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“I know that. You’ve made it abundantly clear,” I say, and as much as I want to walk out, I know I can’t because he needs to give me more information about the meeting I’m meant to be attending in a few hours. Thorne Industries will be branching out and I have to be the face of the company today. Usually Cassian goes, but since he’s busy, I have to step up and be responsible.
“Here’s the documents for today.” He shoves a folder toward me, which I grab from his desk. “Damien will be calling in to attend,” Dad informs me, and my gaze snaps up to meet his. “It’s not because I don’t trust you.”
“Isn’t it?” It’s a challenge, one I know my father would hate. He doesn’t like when I talk back, especially when I’m calling him out on not being as close to me as he is to Damien and Cass. “Because I’m sure you don’t trust me.”
“Finn, don’t start this,” he sighs, before shaking his head. “Damien signed the client, that’s why he’s sitting in. You’ll be there in person. He just needs to finalize a few details, which you don’t know about.”
“And the fact that Damien was the one who could marry whomever he chose has nothing to do with the fact that he’s the eldest? The favorite?” I push to my feet. “You should’ve named him Adam. The first man.” The sneer in my tone is enough to have my father’s fist banging on the desk. I don’t flinch. I don’t even react, which only annoys Bradford further.
“You’re a Thorne,” he tells me. It’s the same speech I’ve heard since I was a kid. Being a Thorne means you have certain responsibilities, there are no liberties in this life. I have to do what is asked of me.
“And a Thorne never defies the legacy,” I finish for him. Before Bradford could speak, I’d already mimicked his words.
There’s a slight satisfaction in his face. The way it creases with a small smile makes me feel as if I just made him proud. It isn’t something I’m used to feeling. I’m not the son who makes him feel as if he raised us properly.
My father turns toward his safe. The clicking of the lock is loud, bouncing off the walls of his office before the door opens. He rummages around in the darkness, and when he pulls out an item, a large velvet pouch, he takes me in with a smile.
“You’ve finally learned the reasoning behind being a Thorne. We never defy legacy,” he tells me before handing me the item. I’m not sure what it is, but when I take it, I feel the hard corners of whatever is hidden inside.
“What is this?” I ask, lifting my gaze from my hands to my father. Each time I’ve been in his office has brought about nothing but destruction to my life. There is no happiness that comes about in Thorne Haven, and within the manor, it’s always ensured that either anger or fear is prevalent in my mind.
“Since you’re going to be getting married, it’s time you took the throne.” His voice is nothing more than a whisper, but I hear every word. I’m not sure what he means, but when I drop my stare and unravel the bag, I’m met with a crown of silver. “There are two sovereigns within our society,” Dad says as he rounds the desk to stop near me. “There is the Gilded Sovereign, from Tynewood, as well as the Silver Sovereign.”
Shaking my head, I look to my father. “I don’t understand. You’ve never mentioned this before. Not to Damien or Cassian. Unless they never told me about it, but all my life, I don’t recall ever hearing about this.”
My father nods. “There are two towns that run within families who have power over governments the world over,” Dad explains. “Thorne Haven, run by us, and the Havens.” This is something I know already. But when he continues, my father finally has my attention. “Then there is a town called Tynewood. It’s run by four families. It’s much larger than Thorne Haven, but it also has a myriad of secrets that hide within its walls.”
“And the crown?” I lift the sparkling headdress, unsure of what to do with it. There are small engravings in the metal, and the stones that adorn it are the color of a deep purple sky when the sun is about to rise. As the light glints against the jewels, I can’t help but wonder why I’m the one to receive this.
“You’re the youngest son,” Bradford says. “And most times, it’s the eldest son who has to take the reins, but since you never wanted to run Thorne Industries, and your passion was far more removed from Thorne Haven, I chose you to represent us in something as important as the family business.”
