AllFreeNovel
Share Us
39
“What the actual fuck?” Camden spits, his shock nothing in comparison to what I’m feeling. My words are smothered in disbelief as my brain tries to catch up.
Mr Carmichael is the Black Sheep.
The Black Sheep is Grayson Bennett.
Grayson Bennett is the King’s older brother and the rightful heir to the Bennett throne.
He’s myuncle.
He’s the true King.
How in the hell didn’t I realise?
“BRING HIM IN!” the King roars. Connie visibly blanches, and Ma Silva’s head snaps to the door opening in the far corner of the room. Her face crumples as Mr Carmichael walks into the room, a gun pointed to the back of his head by the guard sent out to fetch him. His expression is blank as he holds his arm awkwardly. I notice a stream of blood dripping from his fingers. He’s been shot.
“Well, if it isn’t the prodigal son returned,” the King says, hate pulling his lips up into a snarl.
“Brother,” Mr Carmichael responds. “I would say it’s good to see you but, of course, that would be a fucking lie and I’m tired of lying.” His gaze flits to mine but I am struck dumb, unable to move, let alone blink in response.
“Ah, yes, Monk told me about your new life. A principal of a damn reform school, a bad guy turned good. You couldn’t fucking make it up. As soon as Monk described you to me, I knew I’d finally found my long-lost brother… the black sheep of the family. Father would be so disappointed.”
“It was all a lie? Everything you said about your brother, about your past, it was all a fucking lie! You’re a goddamnBennett?” I choke out, finding my voice, hurting more than I ever thought possible. “How is that even possible? You look nothing like each other.” Apart from the eyes… their eyes are the same.
The King throws his head back and laughs. “I’ve always wondered about that too. I’m pretty sure Grayson here is the product of some illicit affair that our father saw fit to keep secret.”
Mr Carmichael, or should I say, Grayson doesn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he addresses me directly. “Ineverlied to you about that, Asia. My younger brotherwasmurdered in mistaken identity because your father sent him to killme. Even after I’d abandoned the family name he wouldn’t let me walk away.”
The King snorts. “Our little brother was always the weakling of the family and no good to anyone. Fucking good riddance.”
Mr Carmichael flinches but continues on regardless, ignoring the King, his gaze never once leaving mine. “I did beat a man nearly to death in retribution. I did turn my life around. I did want to make a difference, Asia. Idogive a shit about you,” he insists. “It’s why I’m here.”
I tip my head back and laugh, bitterness filling the air. “You give a shit so much that you failed to do a damn thing about your fucking brother, even though you of all people know what he’s capable of? Camden’s mum is dead! You, Grayson Bennett, are nothing but a coward!” I scream.
“I should’ve acted earlier. I thought we had time,” he repeats earnestly. “I was wrong, and I’m sorry. Nothing I can do will change what’s happened, but I refuse to allow you to ruin your life by killing my brother when that is my responsibility and mine alone.”
“Kill me?” The King laughs, and his guards join in.
“It’s too little, too late,” I retort, shaking my head in disgust ignoring them all.
“You’re right, I was too late to save Camden’s mum and I was too late to step in for Monk, but I refuse to allow my brother to ruin what’s left of his bloodline. There’s no coming back from murder. I won’t let him ruin you, Asia. After the fight you staged yesterday I knew you’d decided to save Pink yourself, so I left Oceanside a few hours before you all did. I waited for you to arrive then I called Malakai and he told me your plan. He’s the only one I’ve kept in contact with over the years. I trust him with my life.”
“I’m not ruined. I’m a true Bennett. I am my father’s son!” Monk cuts in, taking his anger out on Kate who whimpers under his rough grasp.
Mr Carmichael looks genuinely gutted as his gaze falls on Monk. “You are, indeed, your father’s son. No good ever comes from being a Bennett.”
The King gives a slow clap of his hands whilst my thoughts reel with everything he’s said.
“Quite the speech, Grayson. Only, there’s no hiding from who you truly are. Once a Bennett, always a fucking Bennett until death us do part. This speech won’t change that fact,brother.”
The King stalks towards Mr Carmichael, raising his hand. For a moment I think he’s going to hit him but when he wraps his hand around the back of Mr Carmichael’s head and brings their foreheads together, I’m more shocked by the display of affection. For a heartbeat the two brothers just stare into each other’s eyes. Then Mr Carmichael reacts.
“Get your hands off me,” he snarls, rearing backwards and headbutting the King who stumbles backwards, laughing.
“Still have that Bennett temper, I see,” the King drawls, loosening his tie as though ready to fight. “There’s no getting away from it, no matter what name you choose to hide behind.”
“I’m not hiding anymore brother. I’m right fucking here.”
