“I hated Devyn and Sebastian felt the same about Heston. We thought if we forced them into marriage, they’d be miserable.”
“But we were promised money. We could have lived separate lives if we’d hated one another on sight,” Devyn told him.
“You would have gotten something from Father, but him.” He pointed at me and I straightened my spine. He couldn’t hurt me, though he’d tried. “We were going to steal it from him.”
He went on to say that as my Father had originally set up my bank account and credit card, Sebastian had all the account details and he had cloned my credit card. He planned on draining my account using the cloned card.
“He said he hoped it would break you.”
I sagged against Devyn, wondering why my father’s second husband loathed me so much. “Why?” I choked back tears as my mate held me close.
“You do know he faked your father’s will. Your late father left almost everything to you and even though Sebastian wrested control over his empire, he hated that your Father loved you.”
Devyn sat me on the couch but I bounded up again. I wished Sebastian was here so I could tell him he’d tried and failed to break me though he’d taken everything from me and Dad. And yet the one thing he couldn’t erase was Father’s love. Despite the way Father had treated me and Dad after the divorce, I’d loved him too.
“Where is he? Where is Sebastian?” I wanted to hurt him, but I wouldn’t. That would bring me down to his level.
Roy shrugged. “Last I heard he was headed out of town. Destination unknown.”
“The police will catch him after I contact them.” Rein flapped his hand dismissively. “And you.” He shoved Roy toward the door. “We’re going to the woods and I’ll let my beast mete out your treatment.”
“No!” I got between Roy and my father-in-law. “I won’t let your wolf hurt him. I want no part of this. Call the police if you want. Banish him to wherever. Make him wash dishes for the next ten years. I don’t care. But, please don’t hurt him.”
Rein tilted his head to the side. “Youdoremind me of your father.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “And I’m proud to call you my son-in-law.” He picked up a set of keys from the desk. “It is not our way but I’ll abide by your wishes.”
He placed the keys in my hand. “I will not let your father return from the hospital into that cramped apartment. These are the keys to a new condo.”
I went to speak but he silenced me by raising a hand in the air. “One of the first apartments I sold was on that street. This condo can be your temporary or permanent place to live.”
“Sebastian’s house is technically yours, Heston.” Devyn stood by my side but I blanched saying I couldn’t live there. Other than taking anything that belonged to Father that Sebastian hadn’t sold or stolen, I wanted that monstrosity sold.
Rein grabbed his phone. “I doubt you want to be here when the police arrive.”
One glance at Roy who was begging his father to let him leave town and Devyn and I walked out and headed to our new life.
But as the elevator whizzed down to the ground, I swayed and almost fell. Devyn caught me as the world went dark.
Chapter 32
Oh Sh!t, You’re Pregnant!
Devyn
“What time did Duke say he was going to be here?” Heston continued to tear the lettuce leaves for the salad we were making, not looking up at me.
We’d put my mate’s fainting episode down to stress. He’d been so worried about his father’s health, money, the deal with his step-father, finding out I was a shifter and working two jobs. Added to that was what Roy had done, and it was a wonder Heston was still standing.
But we had to deal with Duke and what his involvement was—if any—in Roy’s scheme.
When I first told Heston that Duke had called, he’d been visibly nervous. I didn’t blame him. After what Roy had pulled, I’d be shocked if he trusted anyone in my family. Shit, I didn’t really trust them and they were my relatives. But when I explained that Duke had said he wanted to apologize, that he just heard about what Roy had done, Heston agreed to hear my brother out.
I wasn’t sure that I believed Duke was completely clueless about the situation, but my gut said he wasn’t the villain that Roy was.He’d always followed Roy around like a little puppy. There was no reason to suspect that this was any different.
“He said that he was on his way, so probably about ten minutes or so?” I’d asked him to call when he was leaving because the original time we had set was “after my meeting” which was ambiguous at best.
It had been Heston’s idea to invite him to lunch. He said being here and not someplace public would make the conversation flow better, allow all of us to be more honest, not just about what happened, but also about our feelings. He was right. I mated well.
We hadn’t moved into the new apartment yet but were living in Heston’s place. Our new temporary or maybe permanent home that Father had given us was on the top floor of a tall building and had a huge terrace with a view of the city. It was a big step-up from Heston’s old place and also from my tiny apartment. We hadn’t decided if we’d stay there long-term, but I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else and couldn’t wait to move in. But if Heston didn’t want to stay there permanently, we wouldn’t. And if his dad hated it, we’d leave.
