CHAPTER 20 — OLD BASTARD

LENNOX’S POV

Finally, the deal was signed. After a whole lot of stressful meetings, Wild Industries had hit the jackpot; Antonio Enterprises was now a partner of ours.

I stared at Cole De Antonio and his associates as they were ushered out by Marco, then returned my gaze to the papers that laid on my desk. They stared back at me, the scrawly signature of Cole and mine, equally scrawly as well, printed proudly on the first page. Once again, I’d established that Lennox Wilder was a man who always always gets what he wants. Despite the fact that deals such as this called for celebrations, I wasn’t feeling elated in anyway. Rather, I felt odd and drained.

Rising to my feet, I shoved my hands into my pockets and walked to the large window overlooking the city, choosing to feast my eyes down. South Baton groove, despite being a small town, was always busy and it showed now in the ceaseless honking of the cars and vehicles below, their headlights glowing in the dark. Various houses had the head start in the Christmas decorations and even for someone who didn’t see the point in the season, a few were actually quite pleasant to behold.

I lifted my eyes above, studying the beautiful night sky. Apart from a few roaming clouds, the scenery was surprisingly clear, the twinkling stars shining bright.

As bright as Verity.

Where had that thought come from? I frowned.

I’d never been one to think too much about a woman. After Andrea had died, the only reason I’d actually interacted with them was for business and of course, pleasure. Nothing more, nothing less. But, my conviction was a thing of the past now. All because of the ravishingly gorgeous bloody dance teacher. Nowadays, I always found myself thinking about her; that snarky wit of hers, the intelligent fire that burned in her eyes as she stated what she wanted. The tiny smile that always tugged at her lips whenever she was mocking me. We’d actually had a thing going - until I messed it up.

I rubbed the back of my neck, more than exhausted. The blame was solely on me. Not only did I deserve that slap, but I also didn’t deserve her. Not at all. Verity deserved better, not a selfish man like me. However, that part of me that wanted to have the world in my palms couldn’t imagine not having Verity Brooks all to myself as well. Maybe that was why I’d kissed her for the second time, regardless of the strong pull of emotions that she’d triggered in me during the first kiss. For fuck’s sake, I called her Andrea! That was a line I’d never crossed. Perhaps that was exactly what scared me, to have let her invade my senses that much to the point that the thin line of reality had been blurred. She’d led me down that part of pure uninhibited arousal and it was evident, even at the moment, from the boner that stirred provocatively in my pants. What the hell was that crazy lady doing to me? She was driving me insane on all counts.

“Sir,” my male assistant called, halting my train of thoughts. After that annoying spectacle, my last female assistant had displayed, I’d decided to get a male personal assistant to replace her. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The man was professional, efficient, and best of all, didn’t make googly eyes at me.

“Yes, Marco?” I didn’t turn around.

“Just as you ordered, the nanny has taken Shayetta back home from the dance class.”

“Good,” was my gruff reply. “Before you leave, take those files. I want you to arrange and keep them in the safe.”

Even though I wasn’t looking at him, I knew that he was nodding his brown hair in acknowledgement. Then there was a crinkle of papers being filed, indicating that he’d done exactly as he’d been ordered.

Once the door went close, my thoughts drifted to my daughter; Shayetta. Another female in my life that I was not treating right. Since days now, I’d been so occupied with the Antonio deal that I always had little or no time to pick her up from the dance school. She hadn’t complained but I’d seen how grouchy and sad she’d been when I’d kissed her goodnight the day before.

“Damn it.” I groaned, racking my fingers through my hair once more, miserable than ever. I really needed to make it up to her. She was one of the few people that I would die for and the thought that I’d repeatedly failed her was possibly all it took to get a bastard like me in his damn feelings. Maybe Verity was right after, I was a horrible father.

In a flash, I flicked my wristwatch to the light. 6:00 pm. Shaye would be up by now. Making up my mind, I decided to go back home to my girl.

But first, I needed a gift to appease her. Probably a pink Barbie doll or a sparkly nail polish set, I mused as I veered down my office building and into the gift shop five blocks ahead.

Done shopping, I’d gotten her both a doll and a nail polish set. I was about to take the next step away from the dark alley beside the gift shop when four shadows emerged. I paused, raking my eyes across their slimy forms in disgust.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my lovely son buying a present for his loved ones. Say, son, what did you get for daddy dearest?” King Wilder questioned, a coy smile on his deceptive face. A few of his henchmen formed a semi-circle around the man, impassive faces on alert.

Lord, I wasn’t in the mood for the old fool’s nonsense. I cocked my brow up, not hesitating to show my displeasure. My voice cold and wintry as I bit out, “Gentlemen, if you could make way for me.”

In a swift move, the gift bags clutched in my hands were taken from me. Choosing not to make a scene, I held in the rage swirling rapidly in my veins as I watched King take his time to peruse through the stuff I’d purchased.

“Such a good father,” he said, petting the doll’s hair in mock concern. Then he lifted his gaze to mine, eyes glittering with a hard look. “I’m pretty sure that Shaye would love these.” He petted the doll again, as if he knew that the very action irritated the hell out of me.

But I didn’t let it show, rather, I shuttered my facial expression, venom spilling in my words as I replied, “Except that my baby girl won’t even touch it now. Not when filth like you already contaminated it.”

His men moved forward, murderous intent displayed on their countenance. Three against one. Out of the corner of my eyes, I checked to see whether people were up and about, but no soul was out. Resolute, I gauged the ugly situation in front of me, unwilling to back down without a fight.

“Stop.” King ordered when they were only a hairbreadth away from harming me. They moved away once more, their change of position bringing their leader in full sight. The smile had disappeared from his face and a cruel sneer replaced it.

“That wasn’t a good reply to the question I asked, dearest.” Then, in a twinkle of an eye, he snapped the doll’s neck, letting the broken pieces fall to the ground.

My eyes flitted to the pieces, then back to his. I crossed my arms, making sure I exuded a bored air. Unconcerned, I added, “Seriously? Thought you were past the age of playing with dolls.”

The despicable man who I still couldn’t believe was my father just smiled and approached closer. “Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not. I’m just practicing, ya know. After all, who better than me to play a doll party with Shaye, hmm? I mean, for when you’re not around?”

He paused in his speech, observing me. When he noticed that I didn’t react to his lowly taunt, he continued, voice pitched low, “I know that you’ve signed the contract with those sharks, the Antonios. You’re a fool, Lennox. How can you liaise with those incompetent asses?”

Heaving out a dramatic sigh, he spat out, “But then, why won’t you? When you’re not obviously capable of running the Wild industries? I regret handing over the company to you earlier and just to let you know, son, daddy’s coming back into power.”

My lips were in a thin line now, my jaws ticking, the fury rising like a tornado that was about to unleash hell.

Tsking, he began circling me like a wolf rounding its prey. “You’re a failure, Lennox. In everything that you do. Business, marriage, family. Everything about you is destined to be an absolute disaster. I could mention a few if you want. First, your mother, my sweet, sweet Eva.”

Standing directly in front of me now, he paused, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. Then he pried them open, fixing his wolfish stare on me. “Then your wife. She died because of you, Lennox. Or maybe she killed herself because she didn’t want to be with you anymore. Perhaps she heard about what sort of man she married. Selfish. Cowardly. How lacking you were in bed. Maybe she needed a good old dick like mine, someone to ride her and give her pleasure-“

I gritted out, cutting the bastard off, “Don’t you dare talk about Andrea like that!” Unfolding my arms, I curled my fist, ire and anger consuming my whole being.

“I’ll say it again. She’s a whore, a filthy slut who could never close her damned legs…”

And like that, my control slipped. I brought my knuckles out, intending to deliver a well-deserved blow on King’s face when a hit on my abdomen blew the air out of me. Taken aback, I doubled down, trying to straighten up and give them a taste of their own medicine but I didn’t make it. Another blow was targeted on my face, landing on my jaw. I staggered, but I didn’t give the men another chance to hit me. With a fast movement of my right knotted palm, I punched the guy on my side. As soon as I raised my legs to kick him, I felt a searing pain that dropped me to my knees. Chest heaving, I looked down in horror. A knife stuck out from my ribs, blood rapidly forming on the fabric of my clothe. I hadn’t the chance to recover when another assailant hit the back of my head, finally bringing me down to the cemented pave walk.

With shaking fingers, I tried removing the knife, but it seemed lodged in my flesh. I tried again but it didn’t budge, so I let it be. Everything hurt.

A jeering face swam in my wavering view. “If you don’t back down, then I am very not sorry to inform you that this, son, is only the beginning.”

He removed the knife and kicked me in the ribs, earning another pained groan from me. “By the way, greet Shaye for me. Tell her that granddaddy says hi.”

Then his face disappeared from my sight, the cold hands of the dark drawing me in.