Page 99 of Charlie
“Of course it’s not right, but you don’t understand.”
“What don’t I understand?”
When he lifted his head from his hands, there were deep frown lines on his forehead. “We’re talking about our dad. Not some kind of monster.”
I jerked back. All my psychology knowledge told me that this was going too fast for the children, who had no idea how long the list of Conor’s despicable behavior was. I should have gone slow, but I was shocked myself and couldn’t hold back my honest response. “Your father is intentionally fabricating Nathan’s nightmares in order to control him. No one likes to think of their parent as a monster, but if you ask me, the description fits.”
Atlas got up and moved to the door. “Come on, Maximum. It’s time to go.”
Lumi leaned down and gave Nathan a kiss on his head. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Liv is here and from now on we’ll make sure that you never sleep alone again.”
Nathan was holding my hand and when it was just him, me, and River again, he moved down to my mattress and let me spoon him.
“I thought I was crazy.”
“You’re not! Conor is.”
CHAPTER 24
Heat
Charles
Kit came to my hotel room and presented me with the report my grandfather had talked about.
“It’s a messy affair ye got yerself into. That Conor is right up there with the devil himself.”
I took the report and began reading it while the red-haired woman sat down on a chair in the corner with her legs crossed and a foot dangling.
The few times that I looked over she was on her phone.
“Are ye done?” she asked when I put down the report.
“Yes.” I sighed. “It’s difficult to believe half of the things that are in this report.”
“Ye’d better believe it, ’cause it’s the truth.” She got up. “Are ye hungry?”
I shrugged and looked at the clock on the night table. It was a little past eleven at night and I hadn’t eaten yet.
“Come on. I know a good kebab place close by that’s open all night.”
Taking my jacket, I walked with her. Kit didn’t say much and seemed to understand that I was trying to process everything that was in the report.
As we approached the kebab shop, I found my voice. “It can’t be true. I mean, Conor introduced me to some powerful people. There’s no way they would have been fooled by him.”
“Why not? Ye were fooled.”
“Yes, but I’m not…” I trailed off as Kit held the door open for me and we entered a small place with four tables and a greasy menu. There were no other guests but us.
“Ye’re not what?” She raised an eyebrow. “Were ye going to say that ye’re not as powerful and influential as the people he introduced ye to?”
“Yes. I met some of my biggest idols through him. Conor is friends with a lot of interesting business people that donate to his foundation to help children. He associates with celebrities and politicians.”
“Did ye forget that ye’re the sole heir to one of the biggest business empires in the US?”
I creased my brow.
“Others are going to be impressed with him for knowing someone like ye.”
