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Sinclair coughed and clutched his chest tighter, as though the pills couldn’t act fast enough.
“You don’t seem fine.”
“I’m getting on with business,” he said, seething at us both. “Unlike the two of you.”
“We’re getting bad press, Father,” I forced out. “One of the papers has commissioned tests on the tablets. We’re going to be found out – it will all be proven. And the whole business, and this family, will be shamed. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“What are you, Rupert?” Sinclair barked suddenly. “The Grim Fucking Reaper? Stop being so pessimistic. We’ve got money to make. Haven’t you ever heard the saying ‘no press is bad press’? We’re notorious now. People are going to clamour even more for a taste of this drug. And do you know what?” He sidled up to me, his gait less sure than normal. His eyes shrank and his lips contorted into a thin grimace. “We’re going to give it to them.” He held my eyes for a long uncomfortable moment in which I didn’t dare breath in case I caught whatever hell gene he was infected with. Then he stepped away, turned his back on both of us and skulked out of the office.
“I envy you,” Aro said, as soon as the door closed.
I huffed out a bitter laugh. “Why?”
“You’re not related to that.”
“Yeah. Sorry about that, Aro.”
Aro turned to face me, his shoulders squared. “Do you have a plan?”
I nodded once. “Yes.”
“Anything I can do?”
“No.” I turned to trace Sinclair’s footsteps out of the room. “Just lay low and I’ll tell you as soon as I know more.”
I caught his smile just before the door closed behind me. Despite his advancing years, he was still in good shape, formidable, charismatic. It was hard to believe he and Sinclair were of the same blood. “Sure, son,” he replied.
I smiled and let the door close.
* * *
I didn’t wait for Minty to speak before I stormed past her to the living room.
“Vivian?”
My girl was sitting cross-legged on the sofa reading a magazine, her hair cascading over her shoulders, her face make-up free and downright adorable. The warmth at the base of my spine intensified when she looked up and her cheeks flooded. Her lips parted and she wet them. I bet she didn’t even realise she’d done that.
“Come on butterfly,” I said, firmly. “It’s time.”
“Time for what?” Minty appeared in the doorway, her gaze flitting between me and Vivian.
I felt Vivian’s hand slip into mine, making me feel as though I could conquer the whole damn world. I turned to face Minty and winked. She knew exactly what the time was for.
A smile crept across my face, lighting me up inside. “Time to end it all.”
Rupert
The characterless building looked far less imposing now I knew it wasn’t going to last the night. Vivian’s footsteps followed mine closely as she walked behind me, my hand cradling hers. I pushed open the door to an eerie silence. Even the usual bleeping of a dormant alarm system couldn’t be heard. The whole thing had been disabled.
The only sound to break through was Vivian’s breathing. It had quickened in time with her pulse which I could feel beneath the skin covering her wrist. We walked to the centre of the lobby and stood.
“You’re sure Ossian isn’t here?” Vivian’s words echoed around the walls even though they were whispered.
“I’m sure,” I said. It was a lie. I hated lying to her, but I wanted her to believe it so she could be here without feeling too anxious about it. Jasper’s team had arranged for sedatives to be put into every consumable substance in the building - even the water supply. Hector had confirmed Ossian was passed out in his office. And that’s where he would die.
“I remember the first time you brought me here,” she said, looking up at me with large, mischievous eyes.
“Me too,” I replied. “How could I ever forget?”
