Chapter 36 : Tough Decisions...
***Adrian...***
I stand against the glass wall with my foot propped up, peering over Carson's shoulder as he scans the report.
The report which states that his and my Esclave's DNA match, proving what I had suspected for far too long to be incorrect.
Pearl possesses the same dark feature that Carson has. Silky smooth hair, snow white skin and dark eyes.
Though that's where the similarities end. She may appear like him, but she is not like him. She's way beyond his reach. Or mine.
Dr. Singh studies me from where she has perched on the armchair across from Carson, her expression guarded. I don't pay her any attention. I'm still annoyed at her because of how things had ended in our last meeting. It also makes me wonder why she came with reports when she could have sent anyone. I didn't ask for her.
“You've been giving her drugs?” Carson's voice is oddly choked as he slowly closes the report and tosses it on the coffee table. “Why?”
I fold my arms across my chest, teeth gritted tight. “I didn't give her anything. Balthazar had been sedating her with TBT-4 brain chemicals when she was still in his hold.”
“Isn't it the drug your mother developed for you? To control you?” Carson jumps from the armchair to pace the length of the room.
I was hoping he wouldn't remember that. I forgot how much he was involved in violating a child's mind to manipulate him into doing their bidding and turn him into a killing machine. Rage smothers any semblance of civility I had gathered before calling him to arrange this meeting with a last minute notice.
I push away from the glass wall to reach for him and tell him exactly what I think about all of his. To hell with him being my Esclave's father. He's still the man who participated in my destruction.
But before I can grab him and punch his face bloody, a knock on the open door steals my attention. My head snaps to the side and I find an awkward little girl standing in the doorway, tugging on the way too long sleeves of her drape sweater.
I stop short and run my hands through my hair. I look at Pearl then at Carson and rein in my anger, boiling too close to the surface. I remind myself that I don't want a war, not when I know I run the risk of losing her forever.
With a glare in his direction, I cross the room to stand beside my Esclave, who's now dressed in a new pair of jeans and sweater. This attire pronounces her youthfulness, but her darker past and even dark eyes, so full of unfathomable emotions, make her appear older, wiser.
“Let's discuss this over breakfast. I'm sure you all have questions.” I say to everyone and guide Pearl back out of the room with my hand on the small of her back.
“I'm not sure what's going on, Adrian and I don't like it.” She whispers quietly, desperately. I don't dare to meet her eyes, knowing she will suck me in and I won't do it. “Can we talk? In private? I want to tell you something.”
“No. Talking time is over. You had your chance and you used to tell me exactly what I needed to hear. So don't start now.” Hurt resurfaces as I recall her rejection and shake my head before I end up doing something stupid, something like begging her to accept me.
“Please, Adrian, please! I'm sorry that I hurt you. I shouldn't have said all that.” She tries to squirm out of my reach as we get closer to the dining room. I slide my hand around her waist and bring her closer to my side, exhaling sharply as her scent assaults my senses and her closeness wraps me in warmth and desire that never seems to extinguish.
“Stop it, Pearl. Just stop.” I say wearily and look down at her, defeated. “You said what you had to say and so did I. There's nothing more to discuss. I should have done this a long time ago. But it isn't too late either. I'll make it right. I promise. I won't let Balthazar hurt you in any way.”
She stares back at me, eyes glassy and red from a recent crying session. I wince, tearing my eyes away and trampling the urge to kiss her pain away. If I fell victim to her antics now, she'll never be free. She'll have to live with those drugs corrupting her brain for the rest of her life.
At the dining table, I pull back a chair for her beside me and wait for Carson and Dr. Singh as they both settle across from us. Carson's eyes are downcast, but I catch him stealing glances at Pearl every now then, only to flinch and return to his lap as the new chef I hired brings out the breakfast and begins the service.
It's a little disturbing to watch a crime lord like him, who commands armies of criminals and brutes and plays with fire every single day of his life, looking so terrified to see his daughter. I wonder what her wife's reaction would be.
Of course she ought to be overwhelmed with joy over finding her lost daughter and sorrow for the bonding time they lost. Unlike my mother who was pissed at me every time I returned alive from the missions she sent me on. To kill and maim. To blackmail and threaten.
The reputation or power I have, it all comes from what I did and not who I am. If that were the case, I would have been discarded a long time ago. Killing me and taking over my empire wouldn't have been such a big deal that it is now. And Carson would have certainly not agreed to any of my terms or requests.
Shrugging off the odd thoughts, I turn to study Pearl as she shreds her bacon but puts not even a single bit in her mouth.
“You need to eat.” I tell her, my voice quiet enough to only reach her ears. But despite that, out of the corner of my eyes, I see Carson perk up, his motion becoming jerky. He shifts in his seat, peering at us with curiosity and wilderness.
“I'll eat if you'll talk to me.” She regards the guests sitting across from us. “In private.”
“Let it go, Pearl. It's futile. You're not changing my mind.” My hand tightens around the back of my chair, my jaw working.
She lifts her chin in defiance. “I don't want to change your mind.”
“Then what do you want, huh? Break my heart again?” I snap, holding onto my control by threads.
“I didn't mean what I said. Please, just give me one chance.” She pleads and reaches for me, her expression twisted with grief.
I jerk my hand back and turn to Carson. My plan of articulating my way into a deal goes right out the window and my patience as well. I fist my hands and bite out, “This is your daughter, Carson. Rosella Carson. I want you to take her with you. She deserves to be with her family. But if you ever put her in harm's way, I swear it, you won't be able to harm anyone ever again.”
With that, I shove back my chair with such force that it topples back and storm out of the room, wiping my eyes with my sleeve as overwhelming emotions choke from the inside, stifling whatever lightness lurks in my black, broken heart.