Page 47 of Junior Has a Secret

With that, I exit the office, ready to get out of this suffocating house.

The only bright side of all of this is it seems to have castrated my father, but it might just be the death of him if he can’t live up to what the Society wants from him.

And it would serve him right.He didn’t want to break me the way Ghost tried to break him last night.He wanted me dead.Instead, he broke me inside and out, and what survived was the version of me I am now, and I don’t think he really understands the magnitude of that shift.I’ll use him to take down the Society, but he better not hold his breath in hopes that I will save him from his stupidity.That’s between him and God, when he’s dead and gone.As long as he walks this Earth, he’s evil incarnate, and I didn’t save him from Ghost because he’s my father.

I will kill him one day.Just not today.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Enrique is waiting on me when I step into the hallway.

“I take it you’re staying?”

“Shackled to your father is never-ending torture, but I get why and I’m here for it.And for the record, when your father hatched a plan to move to the governor’s mansion this morning, it was not about safety.He said it was, but it wasn’t.He’s all about the status.I told him we needed to let the election night buzz calm down first, stay here where we have well established protocols for safety.He agreed.”

“And did it anyway,” I assume.

“Exactly.I wasn’t worried about pulling my men to aid Kane when he was locked down here and I told him that before Kane got here.I also told him he better suck up to Kane or I’d be gone.I don’t know what happened when he talked to Kane, but I’m guessing he sucked up.”

More proof my father is not acting like my father right now.He doesn’t suck up.

Ever.

“Kit is with Kane?”

“Yeah.Kane left him in the car sleeping while he dealt with your father, but he’s with him.”

“Rough night.”

“Good night.Kane’s a badass.I never thought I’d see his father submit, but he made it happen.”

But as I say my goodbyes with Enrique and join my team in the SUV, the words “too easy” ring in my head.Kane’s father might have submitted to Kane, but something feels off.Kane felt it, too.Thinking back to our conversation, I sensed something off in him now I realize, and I think it was this.I pull out my phone and text Kane:I know you need to focus on your real job, but don’t let down your guard.You can control your father, but he’ll put up a fight when he’s over the booze binge.

I’m aware,bella, he replies.And that’s why I want you to keep Augustin with you.He’s highly skilled.And before you fight me, my father won’t risk being outnumbered like he was last night.He’ll come en masse.I need you to do this.

Okay, I answer.I’ll keep him with me.

That was too easy,he says, but I’ll take it.I’ll be home late.

I slip my phone back in my pocket as Augustin pulls up to the front door.

“Everything okay?”Jay asks, speaking for the first time since we got in the backseat which is highly unusual for him.

“I could ask you the same.Why are you so quiet?”

Augustin exits the driver’s seat, and steps outside.“Is he my replacement?”

“No.I only have one assistant and that’s you.”

“I am not—”

“Yes, you are, but you better keep working on your fighting skills.Working for me is dangerous, especially if you keep eating all my Cheetos.Every time I go looking for them they’re gone, and I know you ate them.”

I motion him out of the vehicle.

He grunts and opens the door, sliding out.“I’m going to order us pizza.You’re nicer after pizza.”

I don’t argue.I like that he thinks that.It means he’s always feeding me.We walk toward the building door and Duke starts shouting for me.“Lilah!”