Page 96 of Resist

“Okay,” I said, taking a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.”

* * *

The scrapeof Colin’s chairas he pushed it back from the table and stood to greet me grated my already shredded nerves.

“Nice to see you dressed up for me.” His eyes raked my appearance, his curled lip indicating his distaste.

“I’m here, so talk,” I said, slumping down onto my seat and motioning for a waiter so that I could order a scotch on the rocks.

Colin loosened his tie and sat, the skin on his knuckles whiter when he placed his clenched fists on the table. I smirked — he’d never liked me drinking alcohol apart from the times when it was my reward for ‘behaving’.

Before getting dressed in my ‘best’ attire, I’d debated whether or not to take a passive approach to our dinner meeting or to show him just how independent and free-spirited I now was without him in my life. Did I show him strength or weakness, or did I poke the bull or cower before it?

I’d chosen to poke.

I’d chosen strength.

I’d chosen therealme.

Cowering before him for the sake of trying to keep him passive would only have made him stronger.

Fuck that.

Picking up the glass of single malt whiskey the waiter had set before me, I took a swig while eyeing him with contempt.

He narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure you want to play games with me, Helena?”

“I’m not playing anything.” I placed the glass down and swirled the ice cubes.

“So the alcohol, your slob-like clothing … this is you now, is it?”

I leaned forward. “It’s whatever I want it to be becauseIhave the choice.”

He leaned forward too, his face only inches from mine, fire now flaming his ice-cold eyes. “You have the choice because I gave it to you.”

From out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Lucas shoot up from his seat at a table behind Colin, Josh grabbing his arm and coaxing him once again to sit down. It made me feel safe and supported.

It made me feel that, for the first time in my life, I truly wasn’t alone.

I laughed at Colin’s response and leaned back, raising my hand to my hair and giving it a ruffle for him. “All you ever gave me was the realisation that real men exist, men unlike you, so thank you for that.”

“You mean the boy sitting behind me?” Colin gestured to where Lucas was sitting then let out a snide laugh. “He can’t be much older than Jason.”

“Lucas is none of your business,” I hissed.

He pointed at me. “Your business is my business.”

“Not anymore,” I snarled.

“That’s where you’re wrong. You’llalwaysbe my business.”

“No, that’s where you’re wrong—”

“Am I? Because the last time I checked, we shared a son whom I’m entitled to see.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him, bewildered. “How in God’s name can you think he’d want to see you after everything you’ve done to me?”

“Done to you? I gave you everything. A lavish home, a child, a—”