Page 102 of Damaged Prince
“Fuck!” I grip at my hair, feeling lost. I’ve never felt more helpless than I do right now.
It feels like a lifetime before Dad comes back into the room with a heavy sigh.
“What did he say?” I demand.
“Stacy was charged with child endangerment like we were told. Only what we failed to be informed of was that Stacy took a plea deal to avoid jail time. She was sentenced to five months in a drug rehab facility.”
“So that’s it!” I roar. “She’s out, for good? She doesn’t have to do any fucking jail time for what she did to my son? How the fuck were we not informed of this? I want a new judge.” I shake my head. “I’m pressing charges again, and I want someone else to oversee her case.”
“That’s what we’re working towards. But it takes time. We will get a judge. Someone who is fair and not under her father’s thumb. I have one in mind, but like I said, it will take time.”
“Time?” I growl. “We don’t have time. Because she’s out!”
“The restraining orders are still in place and are effective for the next three years. Then we can revisit and get another one. You still have full custody, and she is not allowed visitation because of the restraining order. She might be out, but she can’t come near you, Laney or Benny.”
“Do you think that’s really going to stop her or her family, Dad?” I snap. “They’re fucking evil. A fucking menace to society that needs to be eradicated. And I swear to god, if the justicesystem doesn’t do its job, I’ll find someone who will. And if I can’t, I’ll do it myself.”
“You will do no such thing,” Dad demands. “I have this, Logan. Trust me, please. I’m doing everything in my power. If I have to play their game, I will.”
Their game. But rather than getting their way by fear, it would be by money. Normally, that kind of thing makes me sick. I hate people who use their money to abuse power, but in this case? As long as it keeps these people away from my family, from my son and my girl, I’d blackmail and pay off every last person on this earth.
“Okay.” I nod, my body relaxing a little bit, trusting my dad will do whatever it takes to make sure we’re safe. “Okay. I’ll do this your way. But I swear, Dad, if it doesn’t work, we’re doing it my way.”
Dad doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t argue.
Fuck Stacy, fuck her vile father. I’m done having them control my life.
From now on, I’m going to do whatever I can to keep my loved ones safe, even if I have to lose myself in the process.
Chapter 20
Elijah
Taking a step back, I take it all in. A smile so big and bright takes up my whole face as joy and excitement take over me.
It’s been a few weeks since Kai surprised me with literally the best gift anyone could have ever given me. When we walked into this empty space, I was confused.
Then, when Kai told me he bought the space and the space next door, my heart went into overdrive. Then, when he told me he would sell me this spot, the spot I’ve been dreaming about for so long for my studio, I lost it.
It was a little embarrassing to cry in front of my lovers, but I didn’t care. I was too overwhelmed by the gesture. To know Kai cared about me so much that he’d do something so meaningful felt like I was being given the world.
I knew at that moment I wanted him to be mine forever. I felt safe and ready to give my body over to him.
As my eyes drop to the spot where we christened the new studio, my cheeks blush as I remember the very dirty, mind-blowing things that happened there.
Still, as I stand here looking at the progress, I can’t believe this is my reality, that this is my spot. My space.
I’ve kept my job at the club, but I’m only taking a few shifts a week and have stopped any private dances. I didn’t enjoy them, only doing them because it got me more money than dancing on stage did.
I still don’t have the full amount to pay back Kai, but I gave him whatever I did have. He tried to tell me to forget about it, but I wouldn’t let him. It was hard enough to accept this size of a gift from Kai; I wouldn’t let him do anything more for me.
So, he agreed to let me pay him back, but he didn’t put a timeline on it. I’m keeping my job because, one, I do like the way it makes me feel up on stage, but also because until the dance studio starts making money, I need to be able to pay the bills to keep the place running.
However, I did accept some help from my dad. He told me it was my graduation gift for both high school and university. Back then, I refused to accept anything because I didn’t have a need for that kind of money other than for it to sit in my bank.
The money I had set aside pretty much paid for the building. My plan after I owned the building was to keep working to pay for everything that would go into the actual business.
But now, with the support of my loved ones and the excitement to get this place up and running, I’m using the money from my dad to give me a bit of a head start.
