Page 62 of Ruse
“Are we done with the insults?”
A blush creeps up her cheeks as she realizes how cheeky she’s acting. “Yeah sorry, not my intention to be rude, just wanted to clear the air and all.”
Reaching under the table, I pull out a file like the one Brett gave me, copies obviously, and place it on the table in front of her. She eyes it warily, like it’s going to come alive and attack her or spontaneously combust into flames.
Reluctantly she picks it up, her curiosity getting the best of her, and opens the flap. “What is this, our marriage license,” she jokes, and I can’t help laughing along with her. Her smile is infectious and so is her carefree, down-to-earth attitude. It’s refreshing. Not to mention unlike everyone else around her, she says exactly what she’s thinking. Talk about no filter.
“Funny but no Blondie, you’re really not my type either if we’re being brutally honest.”
She rolls her eyes and places a hand on her chest as if I’ve wounded her, but continues to open the packet, pulling out the papers inside.
Shock takes over her innocent smile, tears immediately pile in her soft green eyes as she looks the documents over, flipping the pages frantically, her breathing becoming more unsteady with each minute that goes by, and each page she turns.
Weary eyes find mine, begging for comfort and denial of the facts in front of her. “Is this your idea of a joke? Because if it is, you’re more fucked in the head than I originally believed.” Her voice cracks on the edge of tears.
I place my hand atop hers on the table, and although she tries to pull away at the contact, I don’t allow her to. “Now, Levi, no need for such language. Why don’t we have a conversation? I’m sure you have many questions.”
* * *
To saythe evening with Levi went well is the fucking understatement of the century. Obviously, I was wrong in thinking telling her in a public place would lessen the blow or at least her reaction to it. The girl went berserk.
And I mean yelling like a madwoman, flipping chairs, and pouring sugary iced coffee all over my Balenciaga tee.
I guess looking back at it now, I should have expected no less. Not only was this a huge bomb I dropped on her, but she also wasn’t raised with the same ideals as say someone like Phoenix. Whereas for Phoenix, keeping up appearances and playing the part was ingrained into her being at an early age, Levi grew up carefree with her liberal and ecological friendly mother who surely not only believes in climate change but advocates for it.
After pouring her iced coffee on me and demanding I give her money to buy another, Levi took off not wanting to hear any explanation about the information in the file I gave her. Regardless of her state of denial, she took the file with her, but not before reiterating she wanted nothing to do with me or any of the bullshit games I was trying to play.
So, I didn’t follow her, didn’t grovel and beg her to listen to what I had to say. The bottom line is I got exactly what I wanted. The truth is out, whether she reacted the way I would have preferred her to react or not. I planted the seed of doubt. Levi will come looking for answers, and when she does, I will have them ready for her. Or someone else will and the secrets Austin Bancroft paid millions for and swore to keep hidden, will be the one thing to ruin him.
Back at the house, just as I take the first step up the staircase heading to my room for a much-needed shower to rid myself of the stench of sugared coffee and almond milk, I halt in my tracks hearing voices coming from inside Austin’s study. At first glance I figure he’s on a heated phone call, but as I approach the door, tiptoeing so I don’t give my presence away, I hear a second, very distinctive voice coming from inside.
“I don’t care what it is you did Hollingsworth, you fix it, and fast.” From the small open space between the French doors, I see Austin pacing anxiously and irate behind his desk. “I will not let my only daughter make a complete fool of herself and drag this family name down any further. If you must trick her into giving you another chance or beg at her feet, you do whatever it takes.”
My hands fist at my sides at the bullshit that spews out of the asshole's mouth. The fucking nerve of the bastard, thinking he can continue to dictate Phoenix’s life after being the reason she’s been through hell and back. His wife's living in a rehab facility after trying to end her life because of his affairs and lies, his son is on the precipice of drinking his future away, and possibly even his life. Meanwhile, his daughter, despite the scandal and shaming, well she’s the strongest person I know. He doesn’t get to choose this ungrateful cheating bastard. Chadwick Hollingsworth doesn’t deserve her. Nobody does.
Without thinking twice or contemplating the consequences of my actions, I throw open the door of Austin’s study, slamming them against the back wall, the metal hinges vibrating as I barge in with what I’m sure is a murderous scowl on my face. Chad’s eyes widen and his mouth drops open in terror while Austin stands there fuming, his jaw ticking in anger, and his gaze almost as disturbing as my own.
I crack my knuckles as I approach where he stands behind his desk. “You have some fucking nerve Bancroft to think you have any influence on the choices your daughter makes.”
Something in the air shifts, and instantly I realize there is more to what's going on here than I’m privy to. The way the two men knowingly look back and forth at each other, like they have some information I don’t, is not only pissing me the fuck off, but making me irrational.
“How dare you,” Austin spits out, dismissing Chad from the room. “Get out Hollingsworth, I have some family matters to discuss with my stepson.” He spits the word out like it's insulting for him to even say.
“With pleasure daddy,” I mock, only angering him further. Although the plan I had is gone to shit. This ends here and now. Austin Bancroft will pay for his limp and loose dick.
Chad exits almost immediately, closing the door behind him. By this time Austin is pacing around like a madman, running his fingers through his hair and a hand down his chin gripping the unruly beard that he’s grown out in recent weeks.
Dangerously irritated by his silence and perusal around the room, I sit back on the chair across his desk and prop my feet up on the dark oak wood. He glares at me and the way I’m casually sitting in his space while he’s frantic.
“How dare you just sit there like you have done nothing wrong?” he demands, slamming his fist down on the desk. Bright red and on the edge of an aneurysm, I’ve never seen Austin this pissed. He’s in for the shock of his life.
“What is it you think I’ve done?” I ask innocently, folding my arms over my chest.
For a moment he pauses, unsure or unwilling to say what he really wants to say, whatever he and Chad were discussing before I walked in. I have an inkling what it is, but I don’t divulge what I know.
“It doesn’t matter,” he says, suddenly rather calm. “All that matters is you keep your dirty, delinquent hands off my daughter, or I will throw your sorry ass on the street despite your mother’s constant pleas. I’ve had it with you and the way you peruse around here like you’re untouchable. We both know the bastard of your father may be dangerous, but he hasn’t the slightest interest in anything you do. If he did, then you wouldn’t be here.”
Now it’s my turn to be furious, my blood practically boiling inside of me and flooding my head making my vision blur, and my hands tremble. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me like this, I can’t give up now. This is my game we’re playing, I set the rules and hand out the punishment.
