Page 130 of The Spare

A trickle of fear morphs into something so big and heavy it causes my knees to knock together. Fuck, I'm sostupid.Laughing and telling this stranger every fucking thing about us. Pointing out my mom, my sister and Hendrix.

Fuck, what the hell is wrong with me?

"Who is she, Donnatella?!" Maximus’ voice is stern, no-nonsense. His brow is low, and his face bright red with anger as he points all hisfrustration on my mother, who looks like her knees are buckling as Maribel wraps an arm around her waist.

"Maximus, this isn't the time or place-" Richard starts, but Maximus turns his head to him and pierces him with an indifferent look.

"Stay out of my way before I have you shot, Richard," he snarls.

"Maximus,"Mother cries, taking a shaky step forward. "Please, not like this."

Mason stiffens against me, snapping his head over to look at Hendrix, who makes a low sound in his throat then slides his eyes to Mason, then to me. I tear my eyes away towards our parents, who are literally the center of the fucking drama I wasjustromanticizing about not even twenty minutes ago.

"Melody,"Hendrix and Mason say at the same time, but before they can speak, Richard turns towards me, locking eyes with Mason before snapping his fingers.

"Security, remove my children. All of them.Now,"he snaps.

I watch stunned, as every security guard in the room turns, stepping towards us and begins to herd us back towards the open doors behind us but I push back, struggling against Stephen and Dante. However, I don't struggle for long as Maximus' security flans us from the back, preventing us from retreating.

The next thing I know, everyone's pointing guns at everyone, and Hendrix gets in the face of the security guard directly in front of him. One ofours.

I look at Mason, seeing he's squaring off with Dante and Stephen as well. "If you know what's good for you, you'll back the fuck off," he growls.

"Maximus!"Mom cries, sobbing now.

"No one's leaving here until I have answers.Is that my daughter?"Maximum asks, making my heart skip a beat.

My brows rise, and an eerie hush falls over the room as everyone turns their heads to look at me, even the security.

"No, m-my father's dead," I say, swallowing hard. "Mom told me my dad was dead." But I stare stupidly over Stephen's shoulder, locking eyes with Maximus, who's turned to look at me."My dad is dead, Maximus…"I trail off, feeling goosebumps erupt on my skin as I take in his face a little differently.

Looking into eyes that are shaped like…

Mine.

My lips part, and my heart beats wildly in my breast as I see the leashed anger in his eyes. Then, anger morphs into pain, and he takes a deep breath that hitches in his throat as his eyes visibly well up with tears. As do mine when he advances closer.

"She'd be about the right age," he says softly. Though his voice isn't raised, his tenor carries throughout the room regardless. His eyes flicker across my face slowly, as step by step brings him closer to me. "She has my cheekbones, and she stands a bit like me." My lips quiver as I see his eyes are filled with tears. "And she looks….you looka bit like my mother."

In my peripheral I see my mom sink to the floor and I sniff, feeling a tear fall down my cheek. Mason's hand squeezes mine tightly as Maximus puts a hand to Stephen's shoulder and pushes him away gently. He stands in front of me, before putting a hand to my cheek and pressing.

My eyes close as something settles in my chest.

Dad…

"You're so beautiful.And funny…"His voice is choked up as he chuckles through his tears. "That joke you made about the family tree. I guess we'll really need to make one now, huh? Come here, kiddo. Can I give you a hug?"

He tugs at my wrist, and I step into him, letting him wrap his arms around me. I nuzzle into his neck, inhaling his scent. My tears flow down my cheeks and wet his suit jacket as his smell seeps into my consciousness. He smells safe.

Like home.

"Dad,"I whisper, squeezing him harder.

His arms band around me, pulling me so tight that I feel his chest swell. "Daughter. I am so, so sorry."

I smile into his neck, pulling away and sniffing again as his hand comes to my face, his thumb wiping a tear from my cheek gently.

"Let her go! You can't have her!"Mother's scream makes my ears ring, and she launches off the floor to run at Maximus. However, William grabs her from behind, hauling her into the air. Maximus pulls away from me, turning to the side and watching as Richard and Maribel crowd close, flanking them. "I won't let you take her from me."