Page 100 of The Retaliation You Deliver

“I was mostly just confused.”

“Sure,” he breathes, his voice all deep and rough. “You knew what you were walking into that night, didn’t you, Red?”

My cheeks heat because I really should have, but I was genuinely just concerned for Charlie.

I shake my head. “N-no. And what I walked into, I never could have imagined.”

“Me either. All my dreams came true in a hot little package.”

“Stop,” I whisper, my cheeks burning.

Reaching over, he takes my free hand. “I mean it. I thought I was meant to find you to take my pain out on you. I never realized that I needed to find you so that you could save me.”

“I haven’t saved you, Lee. All that’s on you. I’ve just… understood.”

“You more than understand, Mace.”

“Yeah,” I agree sadly. “Pain is certainly easier to take when it can be shared.”

“Who knew?” he jokes.

“Not me. I’ve spent my life trying to stay away from people,” I mutter, thinking of all the friendships and relationships I probably could’ve formed if I weren’t too terrified of losing someone else. Of being used by someone else.

“How’s that working out for you?”

“You’ve ruined it. I’m still utterly terrified though,” I confess.

“I know. But I promise, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not gonna leave you. I’m not your dad, and I’m certainly not your uncle.”

“You’re not your dad either,” I add, sensing that he needs to hear it.

He’s quiet for a moment, his jaw ticking as he thinks.

“I like to think that I’ve experienced all of the things a parent or guardian shouldn’t be, and I hope that one day I get the chance to show how it can be done right.”

“You want kids, Lee?” I ask.

“Yeah, I guess. One day. You?”

“Honestly, I’ve never really thought about it. I’ve spent all my life thinking about how to make life better for kids who’ve been hurt like us. I never really stopped to think about the chance of having my own. Kinda hard when I went out of my way to be alone.”

“You want to help kids?” he asks, something like pride sparkling in his eyes.

“Why do you think I’m sticking around for Richard’s money? I certainly don’t want it for me. It’s nothing more than blood money as far as I’m concerned.”

Leon’s brows pinch so I continue.

“I want to set up a foundation, a charity of some sort to help abused kids see their potential and make something of their lives. His money is going to make it happen. Attempt to right some wrongs.”

“That sounds incredible.”

“We’ll see right. He’s been withholding my inheritance from my parents and grandparents. Plus his own fortune. It should give the foundation a real kickstart. Just need him to—”

“Die,” he finishes for me.

“Yeah.”

Silence falls around us as I’m sure we both start planning just how that can happen discreetly. I never thought I’d ever seriously consider his demise, but also I can’t deny that the time has come. And after all, we’re probably doing him a favor. He’s only going to rot in that place as his brain completely leaves him. It’s probably what he deserves, to be honest. But knowing he’s no longer breathing the same air as Leon, that he can never hurt him again means more to me. Finally giving him some peace is everything to me after the years he’s suffered at the hands of that monster.