Page 90 of Cruel Love
“No,”I replied firmly, not pulling my gaze away from where I staredout of the windshield.“And it does need to be me.”
He might have been my father, but I was determined to be the onewho ended his life. I wanted to be the last person he saw before his eyes closed for the final time. I wanted him to die knowing everyone had learned of his betrayal.
Jackson and I were parked a short distance away from the house,shrouded in darkness. The surveillance team had confirmed my father hadn’t left the house all evening. Unsurprising since they’d witnessed two escorts attend the property earlier in the evening. It appeared my father was too busy with getting his dick wet than worryingthata trial to prove his guilt had been taking place.
As for Welch, Ethan and Gabe were on a plane atthatverymomentto Georgia to deal with him. It should have been me who ended his life too, I would have taken my time murdering the son-of-a-bitch for what he’d done to Willow, but I couldn’t be in two places at once.
At least by the time Willow woke in the morning, all those who hadhurt her wouldn’t be able to lay a finger on her again.
Including me.
“I do need you to do something for me though,”I said, reaching intomy pocket and pulling out a key, and an envelope addressed to Willow.
I’d written it before Jackson and I had set off. She’d fallen into a deepsleep in our bed, oblivious to my presence as I toyed with the spare key to her collar and debated about what my next move would be. I watched her chest rise and fall for whatseemedlike forever, andjustbefore the time came for me to leave, I grabbed a pen, and a pad of paper off the dresser.
I didn’t know what to write at first, there was so much I wanted tosay, but nothing made sense in my head. In the end, Ijuststarted writing, not bothering to go back and read over what I’d written for fearthatI’d change my mind and tear the damn thing up.
“What’s that?” Jackson asked, his brows furrowed as he stared at the envelope.
I handed it to him.“I need you to go to Brooks’ office and collectsome paperwork I had him draw up,”I said, snatching my hand away as soon as Jackson took the envelope from me.
“Brooks? As in the lawyer who specializes in divorce?”
“Yeah. The paperwork will be ready, along with a bag of money. I’vealready asked Cleo to make Willow a new identity, but I need you to take the bag and the papers to the house so Willow gets it. And give herthat,”I said, nodding my head to the envelope and key.
Jackson stared at me for a few seconds, his mouth opening andclosing. I looked away, knowingthatwhatever he was about to say would be an attempt to talk me out of my decision.
“James. What are you doing? You can’t let her go? She’s Legion-”
“She knows nothing about Legion. No risk of her blabbing to anyoneabout it,”I replied, a hint of anger in my voice.
Did he not think this was hard enough?
“Even so, she’s-”
“Don’t, Jackson,”I said, meeting his eye again and doing my best tonot fall apart in front of my best friend.“Whatever you’re going to say, keep it to yourself. I’ve made my mind up. I killed her dad for fuck sake, she’ll never forgive me forthat.I’llnever forgive myself forthat. And I’ll never forgive myself for how I treated her. Sojust…do what I ask. Please.”
He fell quiet again, but a second later, he nodded.
“Meet me back here in the morning. I’ll take care of my father andthe clean up,”I said, getting out of the car, the chilly night air hitting my face.
Without looking back, I walked the short distance to the gatesituated at the front of my father’s house and tapped in the code. Unlike me, he’d never wanted security outside the front of his property, believing he was untouchable.
His arrogance was going to be the death of him.
It took a few minutes to walk up the driveway, but as the housecame into view, the lights were on in various rooms of the house. Quietly, I let myself in, pausing when I silently closed the front door to see if I could figure out where in the house he was.
A shrill laugh filtered through the hallway from the direction of theliving room. Keeping footsteps light, I tiptoed inthatdirection, pulling my gun from my holster.
When I rounded the corner, my lips curled in disgust. My father wassitting in his chair, shirtless, and with his pants around his ankles. His head was tilted back, and his eyes closed as a naked woman on her knees in front of him sucked his cock, while another woman fucked her from behind with a strap-on.
“Party’s over,”I growled, cocking my gun and aiming it in his direction.
His head dropped, and his eyes shot to mine as both women beganscreaming and darted to the other side of the room.
“James! What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”my fathergrowled, bolting to his feet and pulling his pants up to cover himself.
“I told you. The party’s over. We need to talk.”
