Page 151 of Sins of the Father

Steven turns to Claire. “How bad is this? Now that Quinn isn’t here, please don’t sugarcoat anything.”

“I’m going to do my best. You have my word.”

“How bad is it?” he repeats.

Claire swallows hard. “She’s looking at twenty to twenty-five years.”

25

Steven

My stomach twists so fast,I think I might get sick.

Twenty to twenty-five years.

“You have to help her!” I beg Claire.

“I will. I am. I promise. Try to stay calm.”

“Calm? My mother is going to rot in prison, and he’s going to get off without even a slap on the wrist.”

“Steven,” Harper gently says and holds my arm.

Claire continues to talk in a low voice. “You don’t know what is going to happen. We need to keep our heads in the game. Monday, she’ll be in court first thing.”

“I need some air.”

“That’s a good idea,” Claire agrees. “We shouldn’t talk in public about her case.”

We step outside. Day has turned into night. The fierce wind slaps me in the face, and it seems appropriate.

My entire life, Maximillion’s been playing my mom. Using her for whatever he needs and giving her nothing but empty promises and heartache. And now, he’s done this.

How could he?

She’s been nothing but loyal to him.

It’s a new low, even for Maximillion. I’ve always known he’s a selfish narcissist. I’ve always hated him and wanted my mother to end it with him. But I never imagined he would harm her in this capacity.

The image of my mom in an orange jumpsuit behind bars, growing old and missing out on Hope’s life and ours, sticks in my mind. And I’ve always had rage when it comes to Maximillion, but now, I want to kill him.

“He’s going to pay,” I growl.

“Steven, we should go home,” Harper says.

My phone rings and I freeze. It’s the ringtone I set for Maximillion.

“You sick son of a bitch,” I bark into the cell.

Harper’s eyes widen.

“Are you ready to stop playing games and step up to the plate,” he asks.

“What are you talking about?”

He snorts. “This is happening because you haven’t reported for duty. Get your ass into the campaign office on Monday and this all goes away.”

“Did you ever feel even an ounce of anything for her?”

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