Her father didn’t pursue Charlotte’s escape any further, so it seems he was satisfied with Deion and Ashanti’s fake death. Charlotte’s reaction made him believe it so well that he retreated from the country altogether and took his staff with him. Which means Deion and Ashanti are free to live their lives without the fear of anyone following them. They seemed to catch on quickly, understanding the gravity of the situation, which I appreciated very much.
But Charlotte still wasn’t happy with how it ended. She wanted her father to pay. It wasn’t even my idea; I would’ve let him live out his life. But I had to think of her too. If she needed closure, who was I to stop her?
When Charlotte contacted her brother, he didn’t seem to know anything about what went down. But I still asked for him to come over so we could have a chat. It’s the final step in this devious plan … One that’s about to go down.
“So why did you need to see me?” Elijah asks as he picks up his coffee.
I tap my fingers together, and say, “It’s about your father. He’s committed a few criminal acts.”
Elijah almost chokes on his coffee. He immediately glares at Charlotte as though she could’ve had something to do with it. “What criminal acts?”
Charlotte leans back in her seat, casually placing her hands on the armrest. The power she exudes is magnificent to witness. “He tried to have not only me killed but two other innocent people too. There are witnesses.”
“No, Father would never—”
“I have proof,” she says, and she throws a few papers and photos on the table. “Contracts for hired hitmen. Dates and times are included, along with the target. These photos were taken by his men.”
I’m so glad his henchmen were waiting right outside Deion’s door. It was easy enough to capture them and steal the forms they kept in the back of their car. And now that they’re dead, they won’t talk either. But her father might …
“And he almost would’ve succeeded if it wasn’t for Easton’s genius plan,” Charlotte says. “Father believes his targets are dead, which gives us enough time to get him locked up where he can’t harm anyone anymore.”
“But why would he ever do that?” Elijah mutters.
“You know how much he hated me. He would’ve never stopped until he got what he wanted, which was to see my friends killed.” Charlotte folds her arms. “His life was on the line, after all.”
“Because of the deal he made with you, which is also a criminal offense, by the way,” Elijah quips, narrowing his eyes at Easton.
“Because of that same deal, you now sit with the CEO position,” I growl. “So shut up and listen if you don’t want to lose your goddamn job.”
Elijah’s nostrils flare as he slams his lips shut, but he doesn’t say another word and waits.
“He’s going to jail. Whether you like it or not,” Charlotte says.
“And? What do I have to do with it?” Of course, Elijah wouldn’t care about his father. No one does. A wicked smile forms on his lips. Who would have thought his ultimate downfall would be his own children.
After all this plotting and scheming, I’ll still get my revenge.
Just not in the way I originally had planned, but that’s okay. Pretend-killing Deion and Ashanti will only keep that asshole satisfied for a short amount of time, but it’s enough. He’ll be behind bars for the rest of his life soon.
“I want you to testify, and I want you on my side,” Charlotte says. “Bring Father the justice he deserves.”
Elijah frowns and mulls it over for a second. “What’s in it for me?”
“You get to keep your position as sole CEO. No one will get in your way,” Charlotte says.
“And …” I add. “I’ll give you all the shares in the company.”
His eyes widen. “What’s the catch?”
“There’s no catch. But I do want to be done with your family. Forever,” I explain, and I take a sip of my coffee.
“So you want me to leave you two alone?” he asks, raising a brow.
“Yes. That’s all we ask. For all of this to be done and over with,” I say.
“No more talk about business or power. You go do your thing, and we go do ours,” Charlotte adds.
Elijah takes another sip of his coffee, and then he says, “Fine by me.”
Well, that was easy.
“So I just need to give the police a statement? That’s it?” he asks, putting down his coffee.
“That’s it. I’ll deliver the evidence, and Easton will take care of any loose ends,” Charlotte says.
He licks his lips. “So I’ll be the sole owner of Father’s company?”
“The sole owner,” I repeat.
A wicked smile forms on his face. “Deal.”
Charlotte
My heart practically beats out of my chest when I ring their doorbell. It’s as if a million years have passed since I was last at this tiny little house in the middle of the city, but that’s just because so much has happened.
In a short amount of time, I went from a captive on the run, to a lover in peril, to a girl smitten with the man who claimed her as his own. My heart and mind have been through a roller coaster of emotions, and being here calms me down like nothing else ever could.
When Deion’s familiar smile appears from behind the door, I can’t help but jump him to hug him tight. Ashanti runs down the stairs and wraps her arms around me too. One big bear hug as though we’re one big happy family, and we haven’t even said a word to each other.
None are needed. A hug like this says more than a thousand words ever could.
“I’m surprised he let you out again,” Deion jokes.
“Yeah, well, he knows I can’t be held down.”
Deion chuckles. “As long as he treats you right.”
“Oh, yeah …” I blush. “Though, the jealousy probably won’t disappear.”
“The man’s smitten. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.” He tucks his hands into his pants. “But that’s none of my business, of course.”
I nod and lower my eyes. I need to say what’s on my mind, what’s been bugging me for quite some time now. “I’m sorry about everything.”
“I know,” Deion says. “You don’t have to explain.”
“But I do. I mean, Easton used you both,” I say. “And I let him because I fell for his charms.”
“Ah!” Deion holds up his hand. “Enough apologizing. He did it to save us, and he already explained, so it’s time we moved past it. Besides, you love him, right?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts,” he interrupts. “You love him. People do stupid things for love.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t include endangering others,” I say, and I rub my lips together. “Aren’t you scared?”
He shakes his head. “No. Easton said your father would never try to harm us again.”
I swallow and nod. “I’m sorry about that too.”
“You didn’t choose your father. None of us did,” he says. “Mine isn’t exactly perfect either.”
“Mine is!” Ashanti says with a big smile on her face, which makes us both chuckle.
She always manages to break the ice and make awkward situations laughable. It’s as if she has a sixth sense for it.
“Wanna come in? Have a cup of tea?” he asks, opening the door farther.
I smile from ear to ear. “I’d love to.”
It’s been months, but the moment my father’s face appears, my stomach drops. Not because it’s been so long or because I fear him, but because I want this visit to be over as quickly as possible.
I walk down the hallway to the booth where we’ll meet while separated by glass. With greasy hair and his face covered in blotches, he sits there with the phone in his hand.
What a long way to fall for such a rich man.
My father stares blankly at me while I pick up the phone.
“Hello, Father. I hope you’re doing well,” I say with a smirk.
“Came to laugh? Ridicule me? Pity me?” he mocks.
“No, I just wanted to see how you’re coping,” I say.
“I don’t need to talk to you,” he hisses.
“You got what you deserved. You know that, right?” I say.
“I hope that guy’s dick was worth the effort,” he scoffs.
I have to bite my tongue. “He’s a far better man than you’ll ever be. Trying to kill off my friends? How dare you?”
“At least you’re with him now, and I live,” he says, not looking me in the eyes.
He never could; not when it came to him losing face. And I can imagine nothing’s worse than your own daughter seeing you behind bars, even if it’s where he belongs.
“Life? In this metal box? You’ll have to spend the rest of your days in a place far worse than I ever will. A small, confined cell with nothing to hold your interest except your own regretful thoughts. What a life.” I smirk. “I hope you’re proud of your accomplishments. This is the last time you’ll ever see me.”
“Why did you come then? If you hate me so much?” he asks, grimacing as he finally glances at me.
I rub my stomach, and say, “Because I want you to know that you’ll never get out … and that you’ll never, ever meet your grandchildren.”
His eyes widen and zoom in on my belly. “What? You’re … pregnant?”
I nod. I’ve known for a few weeks now after I didn’t get my period twice in a row. When I told Easton and showed him the test, he went insane with happiness. I’d never seen a bigger smile on his face. But at the same time, I knew I needed to wrap this up with what I once called my family. It’s time to turn over a new leaf.
My eyes narrow as my father gets up and places a flat hand on the glass that separates us. “When? Is it a girl or a boy? What will their names be?”
I’m sure he’d like to know, but I won’t tell. He can die trying to imagine my child and its name.
“It’s time for goodbyes.”
“Wait, what? No! Tell me!” he says, banging the glass, but a guard interrupts him.
“I don’t care what you want,” I spit. “I just wanted you to know that you’ll play no part in their lives. Nor in mine. You’re dead to me,” I say, and I hold my head high. “I hope you rot in hell.” And with that, I drop the phone, get up and walk.
