“Let me tell you something, you pathetic, useless, egotistical, self-righteous, pompous son of a bitch,” I said rising from the table and glaring at him. This would probably not end well, but fuck it. At this point, I had nothing to lose. “I know about having money. I could buy this house and a hundred thousand more like it and not put a dent in my accounts. I own over six hundred million dollars’ worth of property that range from Georgia to Louisiana and everywhere in between. I employ hundreds of people that respect and fear me so much that when I walk in a room, I can silence it with a single look. I don’t have to use physical force or violence to take what I want. I simply write a fucking check. Those trashy people you are referring to, just so happen to be my family. They have something you never will, and that’s me. I will never belong to you and we are not the same. I am human, you are a sick, sadistic being who is nothing more than a waste of air.” My fingernails dug into my palms as I clenched my fists. My shoulders rose and fell in a heavy rhythm as my breathing accelerated with every word. At some point during my speech, I had spit on his face and he now sat calmly, wiping it with his napkin. He was not at all fazed by my outburst and seemed just as calm as he had when I entered the room.
“I suggest you eat your food, Dallas. I understand that you are upset and I will consider forgiving you for your little temper tantrum due to the events you have dealt with today. I don’t care that you had money, although I would be lying if I said I was not disappointed in myself for not doing proper research on you. Whatever you had before, you don’t have now. Now, you have nothing, only me. You will become dependent on me. You will soon find comfort in my presence and when I am away from you, you will miss me. I am the only person that controls what happens to you.”
He was sitting casually in the dining room chair. His legs were crossed and his hands laid on his knees while his elbows rested on the arms of the chair. If looks could kill, he would have died a thousand deaths from my glare.
“Sit down, Dallas. Now.” His tone was so cold and demanding that even in my state of rage, my ass obediently sat in the chair. “I have built my reputation off of my word. There are people who have died for simply not trusting me. If I say I am going to do something, I follow thru. If I say I won’t do something, then you be assured, beyond a shadow of a doubt that I won’t. I gave my word to Luke that I wouldn’t hurt you. I gave my word that you would be safe, but don’t take advantage of that, Dallas. I never agreed to not hurt Luke. I will hurt him if that is what it takes to get your attention.” My angered faded, and the hard shield that I wore crumbled. Charlie was right. Anything I did would hurt Luke. I was in hell and there was nothing I could do about it.
I picked at my food, managing to choke half of it down. I was sure it was delicious, but just like the rest of me, my taste buds were numb. My plan to escape had been crushed when I realized that no matter where I went, Luke would suffer for my leaving.
“May I please be excused?” I asked Charlie, keeping my head down so that I wouldn’t have to look at his face which would certainly be smug.
“Of course.”
I stood from the table, wishing I had the strength to flip it over on him. “Dallas.” I turned at the sound of his voice, unable to avoid looking at him. I didn’t want him to see my defeated look, but he drew me in with his one worded demand. “You look beautiful in satin. It suits you.” My stomach turned at his comment. I didn’t need compliments from this man. He made me sick, but I managed a smile.
“Thank you. Madeline offered it to me. Please thank her for me, if I don’t get a chance to.” I was back to acting and it bothered me how good I was getting at it.
“Madeline will be well rewarded for her show of kindness and her services. Good night, Dallas.”
“Good night.” I walked to my room, everything I passed turned to a blur as my eyes filled with tears. I collapsed on my knees beside the bed and for the first time in a long time, I prayed. I prayed for the safety of my family. I prayed for the strength to endure whatever Charlie offered me, and I prayed for forgiveness. I was going to kill Charlie Lott. An eternity in hell would be heaven compared to what I was living in now.
Morning came and I opened my eyes to find the weather outside was terrible. Lightening bolted and thunder crackled while rain poured from of the sky. On the floor beside my bed, I saw several shopping bags from Macy’s. Who in the hell had time to go to Macy’s? I figured a man like Charlie Lott had connections everywhere. He probably called the CEO and had him open the store, personally, just so he could have one of his goons shop for me. I climbed out of bed, feeling slightly sore but much better than yesterday. I didn’t care what was in the bags. I had no desire to dress or bathe or even brush my hair for this man, but I hauled the bags onto the bed anyway and began opening them.