“And that man is you?” Dorian growls, using his best death glare to intimidate me. It might be working. Just a little.
“No.” I shake my head, feeling my body heat with anger. “That man is you.”
“I gave her everything!” Dorian suddenly yells, jumping to his feet. I stand too, not willing to be talked down to. “I gave her the opportunity to have whatever she wanted.”
“All she wanted was you,” I say between my teeth. If he kills me now, at least he’ll have my words to haunt him for the rest of his life. “You never gave her an opportunity because you never gave her a choice. You forced her into becoming a monster. Your own fucking daughter!”
Now I’m yelling, and out of the corner of my eye, I can see we’ve drawn a crowd. Dorian jerks his head toward the door and they all disperse. Looking back at me, a lethal gleam flashes in his eyes. This time, there is no respect to mask it. He’s pure evil. But a part of me is too.
“She is the future,” he says, pointing his finger at me.
I shake my head, giving him an incredulous half smile. “She was your future. But not anymore. You’re killing her. Not physically, but her spirit is breaking. Her will to live is dying. I saw it in Dirk. He searched his whole life for something, trying to fill that void that was you.”
“Dirk was fine,” he argues, but his own voice is doubtful.
“Dirk was lost. The club helped, but the only time he really lived was when he was with Saylor. And when she died, nobody had to put a bullet in him. Her death was enough to kill him.” Straightening my spine, I try to look through his eyes and into his soul. Hoping that, maybe, a small piece of it still lives.
“I’ve never begged any man for anything. My life is of no value to me compared to my family. So I have nothing to lose. But you once told me that being a coward was sometimes worth more than your pride. And I’m standing here before you, begging you to offer her the choice that you never offered Dirk. Please.”
The silence is deafening as he stares at me. I don’t know if he’s trying to read me, or figuring out how to kill me. What I do know is that I’ve done everything in my power. And that very soon, no matter if I’m breathing or not, Diem will be out of his life forever. But a small part of me still hopes that he will give her freedom to live her life wherever she wants.
“You are no coward, Shady. But you are a very stupid man.” He walks over to his desk, shaking his head the entire time. “Like I said, love is a dangerous thing. It is your weakness. I will give Diem the choice, but blood is thicker than water. And she will always choose me.”
A small part of me believes him. As much as I want to believe that Diem meant what she said, I’m not sure if I can. She was loyal to him all these years. She hasn’t known me near as long. Was I wrong to have that much faith in her? Would she really give it all up? For me? Power was her kryptonite. Without it, she would just be normal. And Diem didn’t do normal.
“Let’s call her, shall we?” Dorian says smugly. He can see the wheels turning in my head.
“No need. I’m already here.” At the sound of her voice, my eyes roll. Motherfucker. Why am I not surprised?
31
“TELL ME YOU killed Rookie,” I say as a form of greeting to my intruding little pain-in-the-ass woman.
She walks in, dressed like she’s ready to take on the world in pajama pants and flip-flops. Confused, she looks at me. “No. I wouldn’t do that.” She sounds defensive, but what she doesn’t know is that the only way she could possibly be here is if he was dead. Now that he’s not, I’m going to kill him.
“Diem,” Dorian greets her, appraising her outfit with the same disgust he’d been looking at me with. “I can see your new surroundings have rubbed off on you.”
“And I see that someone can’t move on from the past.” Her eyes glance up at the mural, and Dorian’s face grows red with anger.
Now I guess we’re all pissed. I had this shit under control. But leave it to Diem’s infuriating fucking tactics to outsmart Rookie, crash my party, and insult the don of the Underground Mafia. I think she deserves a round of fucking applause.
“I’m out, Dorian. And I’m not asking.”
I throw my hands up in surrender and take a seat, lighting a smoke that will likely be my last and enjoying the show.
“Do not come in here and demand anything of me,” Dorian threatens, grinding his fists into the desk as he leans forward. I wish she would look at me for help. If she does, I’ll shoot her myself.
“The family rules state that I’m allowed a decision in the matter. Especially considering that one of your brothers still lives.” I have to hand it to Diem. She looks more powerful in pajamas than she ever has in a business suit. Maybe even sexier too.