Page 4 of Thicker Than Blood

Stefanos

The rage bubbled away inside me as I sat in my car waiting for her. Once I dug my hooks into her, she would suffer the consequences. I would relish in degrading her in every manner possible. The options in which to do so were limitless. She approached the car and I opened the door but she didn't get in.

How dare she make me wait?

“Get in or you will find yourself homeless tonight,” I snapped at her.

She moved and sat in the car but left the door open. I leaned over her to close it, glancing at her, but she kept her head bowed down. The subservient pose eased some of my fury. I sat back in my seat.

“You know who I am.”

Her hair covered her face but she nodded. I studied her for a moment, she was twenty-six but I never expected her to be this—timid. I smiled, this would be easier than I thought it would be. I glanced at her ugly black coat, denim jeans and trainers.

She nodded her head, reminding me of the words I uttered. I lifted my glass and sipped on my scotch but she wouldn't lift her head.

“Christos left everything in my control,” I said gripping my glass as I said his name. He was no longer the father I thought hewas, therefore didn't deserve my respect. “Today is an example of what I am willing to do to you all.”

She turned her head toward me, twisting her neck but she didn't lift her head.

“The bastard, the whore and the gold digger,” I said with a cruel empty laugh.

Her gasp at my crude words was like a balm to my open wounds. The malicious need to cause her the same pain and suffering I felt was too great for me to battle. This was only a precursor to my revenge.

“In case you're wondering, you are the whore,” I said toying with her. “Your sister is the bastard, of course, and your mother the gold digger.”

Her head snapped up and I stared into her wide dark brown eyes. They were darker than mine, richer, and warmer. Eyes that I would see in pain, desolation and tears. I’d chosen her to carry the sins of the mother. Soon, very soon, I would break her.

“Why are you doing this?” she cried out before looking down at her hands.

She had them clenched together on her lap. I took a large gulp of my Scotch, my sole companion since the funeral. Did she consider herself to be a victim? She didn't make my father go to her mother or her mother to spread her legs open for a married man but she was the one who would bear the brunt of my wrath.

“You're a Jenson, part of the family I seek to destroy. Did you all think it was finally payday?” I said spitting the words out in my anger. “I want my pound of flesh and I've decided it will be yours.”

My jaw tightened when she didn't look at me or say a word.

“You will do everything I tell you—or the bastard and the gold digger will be out on the streets tonight. I have the means to ensure no one houses you. Not even the state or charities,” I said quietly because part of me wanted her to refuse so I could take my revenge on all of them.

“You would do this to your own blood?” she whispered.

I froze at her words. The disgust of acknowledging the girl as family stuck in my throat. The ties of family and blood were destroyed the moment Hassell gave me the letter and documentation for the Jensons’.

“Blood isn't always thicker than water,” I growled. “Especially blood tainted with betrayal by a weak and deceitful man.”

She began to shiver, and I heard her breathing unevenly. When I glanced at her hands, they trembled as she clenched them tightly. I relaxed and drank my remaining scotch before placing the glass in the cup holder.

“Nothing will happen to her if you do as I tell you,” I said, lying through my teeth, but I needed to lull her into a false sense of security. “She can go back to school tomorrow. I will lift the restrictions on all of your accounts and call off the men who are due to evict you.”

Once I had finished toying with her, I would use everything I could to ensure they didn't get a penny from my father’s estate. I didn't give a damn about his instructions. The legal team could drag it all out for years in the courts.

“How do I know you will keep your word?” she asked.

I scrutinised her because she hadn't asked me what I wanted from her. Was she that stupid?

“You don’t,” I said flatly. “Get out of my car. I want an answer by tonight. Your phone will be connected for 24 hours before I have it shut off again—if your answer is negative.”

She scrambled out of the car, slammed the door shut behind her, and ran toward her house. I watched as she flung the gate open and ran through the front garden, scuttling away like a scared little mouse.

Nai, tha eínai mia ypákoui skylítsa. Yes, she will be an obedient bitch.

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