Page 123 of Toxic Glory

But it's hard for me to convince myself to let her out of my sight again.

Ingrid puts her hand around Alize's shoulder, pulling her in for a hug. I don't plan to be away for longer than a few minutes, but it still feels like I'm doing something wrong. Like the moment I look away from her, she'll disappear.

I suck in a deep breath.

I'll have to make this quick.

I leave the kitchen, going over all my talking points in my head as I walk to my father's study. While Alize slept for hours at a time during her recover, I was thinking about our future.

Her kidnapping changed a lot of things for me.

But most of all, it showed me the truth.

When I encounter the door to my father's study at the end of the hallway, Ben's standing outside just like I expect. At this time of the day, most of my father's security detail patrol the grounds.

He keeps Ben this close because he's the most trusted.

Ben stares me down as I approach. I don't have a scheduled meeting with my father, and I made sure that no-one outside of my trusted circle knew that Alize would be discharged today.

He doesn't even know I'm here.

"He isn't expecting you," Ben says, a gruff edge to his voice.

I stop just in front of him. He's blocking the door.

"Step aside."

And he does.

As my father's right-hand man, I'm certain he's apprised of all my father's affairs. I also know that he now knows that Alize was kidnapped. I'm happy he didn't try to make this difficult, because at this point, all bets are off.

I would have killed him if he stood in my way.

I enter the room, to find my father slouched at his desk, dozing off. He startles awake and I'm hit by how pathetic and frail he looks in this moment. It's mid-day, and he's fucking asleep at his desk like a retiree.

Decades’ worth of anger and hatred bubble to the fore.

This is the man who ruined my life.

There's a moment of surprise on his face, until his features set into the cold, emotionless mask I've known all my life. He straightens with a slight groan, a scowl forming on his features once he's comfortable in his chair.

"What the fuck are you doing in here, boy?" he booms.

I slip my hands into the pocket of my trousers. "We need to talk, Griffin." His name is bitter in my mouth.

"We have nothing to discuss." He's growing angrier with each passing second. "You have completely ruined the Duke name. Everything it stands for, you've tossed it to wallow in the mud with that whore." He bares his teeth at me. "Your week islonggone. You’re no longer worthy of being my heir. By this time tomorrow, I'll have you cut out of my will." He smiles wickedly. "I am meeting with my lawyers today. All of it will be gone. Including the pennies your mum left you."

The timing of this meeting is perfect, then.

When Graham defected, my father had his will amended.

It's no surprise that he intends to do it again. I only wonder who he has in mind to list as his successor. Ben? Or will it go to whatever heir he plans to have with Sarah?

"Is that so?" I mock.

He balls his fists, leaning forward in his chair a bit. "This is your last chance to get rid of her if you want to inherit anything."

Ah, of course.

---