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“You don’t have to worry. Kinsey is packless. Her chosen have died. That is how she ended up with the dealer. She was caught after running from the authority, and they took advantage of her.” I cross my arms, strolling closer. “Now, why don’t you join us for dinner? My brothers are anxious to speak with you. And I think you should be open with Holly. She is hurt. She is scared of you. If you truly regret your decision, just tell her. We can mend things.”
King Winston closes his eyes with a sigh. “I suppose you’re right. We must get answers over her whereabouts. We need to know who helped her. Samara had mentioned another pack. If they had betrayed us—”
“Father,” I say, cutting him off, knowing where his thoughts are headed. “If you confront Holly and start threatening the pack who did help her fake her death, you might as well not see her at all. She was obviously desperate. And as far as I can tell, she was passing as a beta. It is very possible they didn’t know. That is how she ended up at the club. She had arrived before Kinsey.” Fuck. I hope he believes me. This is getting far more complicated. I don’t know exactly what Madame Samara told him. It was obvious that she had called him because of Kinsey and not Holly. King Winston was there to investigate, considering that nobody knew she was bonded to us. Samara had been told otherwise.
King Winston narrows his eyes, his face reddening. I regret interrupting him, but he’s quick to act and be suspicious instead of thinking things through. He stands from his desk, the scent of his anger assaulting my nose, the spice of chili tensing my body.
“How dare you interrupt me and tell me what I should do.” Fisting his hand, King Winston swings his arm.
I stand still, bracing against the force of his punch, letting him hit me instead of dodging out of the way. It’s not the first time we’ve gotten into a fight like this, and I know better than to fight immediately.
He steps back, his chest heaving.
I rub my cheek. “I’m sorry, father. I’m only being honest. We face a delicate situation with Holly. You said it yourself. She was willing to die instead of going through with bonding with a pack she hated because of your poor decision. Please, let’s just hear her out first.”
I tighten my hands into fists, preparing to fight back this time. His anger sharpens his features for only a moment longer before he puffs out of breath and turns his back on me, rubbing his hands to his neck and through his cropped hair.
“You’re testing me, son. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. And you’re right. I’m letting my emotions get the best of me. Thank you for speaking your mind.” Turning back around, King Winston opens his arms to me.
I grind my teeth and step forward, letting him embrace me for the first time in years. I don’t think I even remember the last time he hugged me.
“I’ve been trained by the best,” I mutter the words, my body screaming to get space between us. Because if I don’t, I might shove him. Just because he might feel remorse over his actions, doesn’t mean shit yet. It’s what happens next that will direct my decision in the situation. “Now, let’s go to my palace. The others are waiting.”
King Winston releases me and dips his chin in agreement. “Okay, my son. You’re right about us needing to deal with this now. I’m just ready to have my family back together again. I’m ready to move on from this and prepare for a better future.”
“Good. That’s all we really want.” I reach into my pocket and glance at my phone, making sure that Arsenio heard everything.
“Give me an hour. I’ll meet you there. I promise. I won’t let you down this time.” King Winston straightens his shirt, his appearance unkempt and disheveled.
I force my head to nod, though I don’t want to leave without him. I don’t want him to have another moment to think things through, but I don’t have a choice. If I argue, it’ll just make things worse. “I know, father. Holly will see. We would love to formally introduce you to Kinsey as well.”
“I’d like that. I’ll see you later, son.” King Winston motions for me to leave.
If only I believed him.
If only things could be that easy, and we could move on from all of this.
If only I could believe that any future under his reign could be better. But things are going to change.
He will see.
Chapter 28
Enzo
Interrogation
“Wilderjustpulledup.King Winston isn’t far behind.” Arsenio stands in the doorway to my suite, his suit pristine and up to King Winston’s standards. Our dad wouldn’t expect anything less. “Are you all ready for this? We need to expect an interrogation. Do you have your story straight, Holly?”
After hearing the conversation between Wilder and Dad, we’ve been prepping Holly and Kinsey, ensuring that their stories are perfect. We can’t risk a flaw to make our father question the truth.
“I don’t want to see him.” Holly crosses her arms over her chest and leans back on the loveseat, curling her feet up. “He’s going to push me too much. I’m afraid I’ll mess up.”
Kinsey drapes her arm over Holly’s shoulders and hugs her. “You’re not going to mess up. You’re going to make him regret his entire existence. He realizes he can’t fuck with you. I saw the look in his eyes when you stood against him at the club. He knows you’re not the docile omega he can just sell.”
“If only I felt strong.” Holly rests her head against Kinsey’s, the two of them making it hard for me to get them to get up to follow me. I don’t want to make them do anything they don’t want to, but I know this has to be done. We must confront our father in a way that makes him realize that he can’t push us around like he used to.
“It’s going to be fine, little sis. Our story is impeccable. We have the proof we need to show that Tony was a traitor, and that way, no one else gets involved.” I’ve never been so thankful for one of our trusted staff to betray us. Because now we can deflect attention away from us and put it on him. Somebody had to be close enough to Holly to help fake her death that wasn’t us. This is the best plan.
