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The smell of bleach stings my nostrils. We usually meet at his house, but he was at the compound to interrogate Bastian, so I met him here.

Bastian has been holed up in a cell since I captured him in Texas. He’s lucky I didn’t kill him on the spot.

I sit in the office, watching my father grab a file from his desk before throwing it down on the desk between us. I open the file, skimming the material.

“These the guys that were connected to Bastian?”

He nods, plopping down into his chair.

“I’ll get it done.”

I close the file and stand to walk out.

“Son. We need to talk.”

I clench my fists and turn around, meeting his expressionless stare. I don’t say anything. There is nothing to fucking say.

“What’s so special about the whore anyways?”

My vision goes red. My jaw clenches with rage.

“She’s not a fucking whore,” I say through gritted teeth.

He chuckles. I’m going to fucking snap.

“She is. They all are.”

He picks up a cigar and lights it. Smoke swarms around me, tightening around my neck like a noose. I need to leave before I put a bullet in his head.

I turn and storm out.

My father shouts behind me, “You’re weak boy. Fucking weak.”

I don’t look back. If I go back, I’ll kill him. I’m not fucking weak. I found a purpose in my life. One that I will protect from everyone— including my fucking father.

Ineed to see her. I get in my car and put on “We Love You” by Avenged Sevenfold, as I speed to my house. My princess is waiting for me.

* * *

Evelyn lies on the sofa watching her reality TV. I could get used to seeing her like this. She looks so fucking perfect.

“Miss me?”

I approach her, and a gentle smile paints her lips. I lean down to kiss her plump lips. I bite on her bottom lip, and she squeals. I chuckle as I pull away from her.

“I talked to your parents today.”

Her face pales.

“W-what did you do…”

Her voice is soft and delicate.

“I told them that I wanted their blessing to be with their daughter.”

Her eyebrows dart up as her jaw drops.

“What did they say?”