Page 49 of A Dove To Break

“You said tried,” I say to Adrian. “He’s alive?”

“Wait, you did,” Brent says, looking at Adrian.

“Yeah. He’s alive. It took eight surgeries and five years of physical therapy to learn how to function again, but he’s alive,” Adrian says. “He and my mom are on a private island that Raul’s family owns. They will be here tomorrow.”

“Oh, this will go over well,” Brent laughs.

“Mhmm,” Adrian smirks. “Tomorrow, the three of us are going to the council meeting. Brent, you, and I are going to claim our place as the new leaders.”

“Uh,” Brent laughs.

“You were being groomed to take over. I planned for it for my entire life,” Adrian says. “Dad being back will cause chaos.”

“What about Charles? He’s the face of it, is he not?” I ask.

“He will die for his son's mistakes. He was loyal to Mark, and I’m confident he will continue to be all of the way to his grave,” Adrian says. “Also… the only way Edward would have known that Brent was with you for that would be if Charles told him.”

“So… Charles was one of the eight…” I say. “He was the fourth. He told me the next guy was decent, then said it was Raul after that. He said he didn’t know who the seventh was.”

“Which means… how would he know then?” Brent asks.

“Ah fuck,” Adrian sighs. “A camera. There were fucking cameras, and you took his mask off.”

“Oh no,” I say. “Oh, that’s…”

“Breathe,” Brent says, rubbing my thighs. “If anyone releases that, it would be Edward. All we would have to do is reveal that you were bought and we aren’t related. All of his abuse would come out, and he’d be dead within the hour.”

“Yeah,” I say with a sigh.

“Now… let’s talk about the gun,” Brent says.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, putting my head down.

“Why did you do it?” he asks.

“Because I wanted to stop loving you,” I say remorsefully. “I couldn’t stand the thought of not having you. I overreacted, and I didn't know how to calm down.”

“Do you still want to die?” he asks.

“No,” I say. “I’m sorry. Truly. I won’t do that again.”

Brent pulls me down and grabs my face to kiss me hard. “Clothes off and get on your hands and knees on the floor,” he says, kissing me once more.

“I am not barking for you,” I declare.

“Well, youarea bitch,” he says with a grin.

“You ass!”

“I have a better idea,” Adrian says with a wicked grin. “Show him the basement.”

“Ugh!” I groan. Adrian grabs my chin and kisses me hard.

“‘Yes, sir’ is the only thing that should be coming out of your mouth, Little Dove,” Adrian growls. I swallow hard and nod, making him smile. “I can’t hear you, Little Dove.”

“Yes, sir,” I say softly.

“Good girl,” he says. “Go on. Get undressed and present yourself.”