I stare at his smiling face and I can hear the threat there, implicit behind his words.
“And if I don’t, everything won’t,” I say.
Silas just shrugs and smiles, not responding.
“Do you always do Tillman’s dirty work?” I ask him.
“I’ve been in his employ for many years,” he admits. “Though I have other clients, of course.” He puts his drink down and steps away from the counter. “I’m going to leave now, Gavin.”
“Tell your boss that I’m not interested in his threats.”
Silas nods. “I suspected you’d say that. Guys like you aren’t easy to intimidate. You’re from the west side, right?”
I hesitate a second. “Right,” I say.
“I know lots of guys from there. I grew up there myself. I know you’re used to big thugs trying to push everyone around. But listen, Gavin, and listen closely. I don’t like giving this message more than once. This has been a pleasant interaction. Let’s not have an unpleasant one.” He smiles one last time before turning and walking out.
I watch him go and I don’t say a word. Adrenaline courses through my veins and anger clutches at my throat. I hear Silas disappear down the hallway, open my door, and shut it again. I clench my glass and end up tossing back the rest of the whisky in one smooth motion.
I’d be a liar if I tried to pretend like it doesn’t freak me the fuck out that Silas broke into my apartment so easily. He could have done anything to me. Fortunately, he just wanted to threaten me, but it could have been much worse. I wasn’t prepared for that, not at all.
But I’m going to be prepared. I believe him when he says that our next meeting will be much less pleasant, and I’m going to be ready for that.
Because I’m not backing off Sadie. Those Tillman fucks think they can control her and push me around, but I’m not the kind of man that can be fucked with. When I want something, I get it, and I want Sadie.
I want to be her Daddy. I want to dominate her, control her, make her feel things she’s never dreamed of.
Her family isn’t going to stand in my way.
8
Sadie
I expected to get screamed at. I expected my father and my brothers to be there, waiting for me, ready to tell me how I’m disappointing them. Well, maybe not Peter, but definitely Michael.
Instead, the apartment was quiet. Reginald told me good night and then left me there. Nobody yelled, nobody scolded, nothing.
So I went to bed, still thinking about Gavin.
The moment in the bathroom kept coming back to me. It was a potential turning point for me, but I was afraid. I was too scared to really turn away from my old life and embrace something new. If I had slept with him in there, I would be a totally new woman.
Still, making out with him in a stall and letting him touch me like that is something. I’ve never done something like that before, and never imagined I would, not before Gavin. He makes me want to live, to really live. He makes me want to be something more than whatever my family wants me to be.
The next morning, I’m up early. I’m a little tired, but I’m going to be brave. I’m going to face my family and the consequences no matter what.
I put on clothes, brush my teeth, and steady myself before heading downstairs for breakfast. My brothers are there and so are both my parents. My father glances up from his paper when I come into the room.
“You slept late,” he comments.
I pause. “I guess so,” I say. I expect him to start yelling any minute.
But everyone acts normal. Mother doesn’t look up at me. Peter is busy on his phone. Michael is reading the paper. Nobody is staring at me. Father doesn’t even look angry.
He turns back to his paper. I grab a plate and load it up with the usual before taking my seat. I look around, totally confused, but everyone seems absolutely normal. It feels like nothing at all happened, but of course father knows, and of course mother does, too.
Maybe they’re just letting me get away with it. Or maybe their punishment is even worse than I could guess.
I dig in, wanting to get the hell out of there as fast as possible. I finish my meal as fast as possible, wanting to get back into my room so that I can text Gavin. As soon as I finish, though, my father puts down his paper and clears his throat.
“Peter, Michael, can you excuse us for a second?”
Peter looks up, surprised. “Huh? I’m not finished.”
“Peter,” mother says. “Please. We need to talk to your sister.”
My face turns red. This is the moment I was dreading. I really thought I could get away with it, but apparently not.
Michael stands and gives me a little look. I can’t understand it. I don’t know if he knows what I’m in trouble for, or if he’s just always something of an ass. Peter gives me a little smile and reluctantly leaves. He definitely doesn’t know, at least.