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“What do you mean?”
“This case is personal to him.”
“How could it be personal? He doesn’t know either Sandra or Matt.”
“No, but he’s well-acquainted with Sandra’s circumstances since he went through something similar himself. My people went to a lot of trouble to get me this information since his foster father practically buried it, but he couldn’t have hidden it from me.”
“What are you talking about, Papa?” I realize I’m shaking, my fingers clasped together and sweat gathering between my brows. “What information are you talking about?”
“His mother was a prostitute and a drug addict.”
“He already told me that.”
“Did he also tell you that when her body no longer had any value, she prostituted her two children to pedophiles?”
I gasp, my hands going to cover my mouth. The information Papa just revealed ever so casually crashes against my ribcage and splits it open.
Despite my attempts to reject it, to tell him it’s not true, many pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Like how Knox doesn’t like to have sex from the front, Teal’s overprotectiveness, and especially his stiffness ever since he met Sandra.
I thought it was him being an asshole, but it must’ve been because she triggered him somehow. Because her story brought back awful memories from his own past.
Oh, God. I was clueless.
So damn clueless.
“He’s not for you, Anastasia.”
My mouth falls open as I stare my father square in the eye. “And the man who kills a village for dinner is? What type of logic is that, Papa?”
“Damien will protect you.”
“He won’t care about me enough to protect me. Down the line, he might become no different than my stepdad. The man whose file you have in front of you, however, does. Even when I lied to him and hid my identity, all he did was take care of me.”
“An outsider is out of the question.”
“Rai married Kyle and he’s British.”
“Kyle might have been raised in England, but he’s not an outsider. His father is one of our leaders.”
“But…”
“My decision is final. Don’t make me get rid of him.”
“Papa!”
“Do as you’re told, Anastasia. Marry Damien and cut any relations with this lawyer and I’ll spare him. I’ll even stop backing Matt.”
A tear slides down my cheek because the decision I’ll have to make will burn me alive.
36
KNOX
Around of applause greets me as soon as I’m inside the office. Even Lauren and Chris step aside and join the others in the celebratory greeting.
Every senior and junior partner is present, in addition to all the assistant lawyers and even the interns.
Nate and Aspen are at the front of them all, wearing what seems to be proud expressions. The managing partner of W&S strides toward me and grabs me by the shoulder with a little squeeze. “Great job.”
