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"You forced me to do your bidding, and I’d had enough. You wouldn't give me my trust fund. I'm not sure what part you don't understand.”
He scoffed. "Your trust fund is in safe hands. You're telling me that we argued over money?"
"An argument? Is that what you’d call it? I told you I no longer wanted to do your bidding, and you sold me off."
Julian clasped a hand to his chest. "I did no such thing. You are being dramatic. I merely made other arrangements for you because you were inappropriately close to your charge."
I clamped my jaw tight. I was not going to say anything about her.
"See? Even now, you can't deny it."
"I'm not talking to you about Nissa."
He tsked. "You know, I've always admired young people for their ability to just throw caution to the wind. It's admirable. But you forgot your place. You thought you were allowed to think for yourself.”
“You wanted to make me a killer.”
He rolled his eyes. “You were always so dramatic. You were my property and should have done as you were told. Instead, you turned my daughter against me. And you dared to put your hands on her.”
I shook my head vehemently. Had he hurt her because of me? Because in a moment of weakness I’d let my control slip? “I didn't touch her.”
“If you say so. But it's all water under the bridge now.” He straightened. "You managed to successfully evade me for four years. Where have you been, Westin?"
"It doesn't matter."
"It matters if there are enemies that we need to clear."
"I don't have any enemies… except for you."
My godfather chuckled low this time, sitting on the corner of his desk while tugging up the leg of his Tom Ford trousers, just so. "You're home now, Westin. Let's not talk again about you leaving or escaping, or anything like that. What's mine is yours. Except for my fucking daughter."
"I told you I'm not talking about Nissa."
"Oh, we'll talk about Nissa because she is the whole reason you're here."
I swallowed hard. Photos of her were all over his office. Nissa on horseback. Nissa at a school swim meet. Her swim cap was off, and her blond-tipped afro was dripping wet. She looked thrilled. Her brown skin and the silver medal she clutched gleamed in the sunlight.
Every photo in the office was of her.
"I'm not doing this anymore. If you want to kill me, kill me."
My godfather scoffed. "Why would I kill you? You’re my godson. I just got you home. And I'm glad you still have such strong feelings for Nissa because you're about to do something for me."
"If you think I'm going to help you in any way, you haven't been paying attention."
He chuckled. "Yes, yes, I hear you. You're angry and rebellious. It's a shame, too, because you and I really would have made an excellent team. But you've made your choices, and here we are at an impasse. Except, not really. Because I know something that you don't know."
I frowned at that. "I'm not a twelve-year-old boy anymore. You can't lure me in with secrets. You can't pretend to confide them in me. That doesn't work anymore."
"I’ve only ever had your best interest at heart."
I fought against the restraints again. "What the fuck do you really want?"
I knew that this was not the way Gabe wanted me to handle things. He wanted me to come in apologetic, begging and pleading. Gabe wanted me to secure his trust, but I knew Julian would never believe it. Nor should he. After all, I'd escaped under the cover of night and stayed hidden for four years.
"You black-bagged me and dragged me here. What is so urgent?"
"Someone is trying to kill Nissa. You are going to keep her safe."
