Chapter Seven

~ Scotty ~

If this bitch didn't get her claws out of my arm pretty soon, I was going to scream. She was like an octopus. I smiled as I tried to unwrap her hands from around my arms. She smiled right back and tightened her grip.

I had the impression she knew exactly what she was doing.

When we reached the dining room, I played nice and pulled out the chair right next to Cynthia, who sat at the head of the table. It had been my father's spot when he was able to eat with us.

Julia flashed me another one of her bright smiles as she sat down. As I scooted her back in, I couldn't help but wonder how she kept the red lipstick on her lips from smearing on her teeth.

I went to move a couple of seats down, but Julia grabbed my tuxedo jacket. "You'll sit by me, won't you, Maxwell?" she asked in what I was sure she thought was a sweet voice.

It wasn't.

"I thought we'd get to know each other better."

I didn't want to know a damn thing about this woman, but one harsh glare from Cynthia and I found myself sitting down next to Julia. Luckily, her father sat on the other side of my stepmother, leaving the seat directly across from me for Beck.

When I saw the maids start to bring out the first course, I almost groaned. God this was going to be such a long evening.

"Julia was Miss Teen Texas when she was only seventeen years old," Cynthia stated. "Did you know that? Such a beauty."

"No, I didn't know that." How could I? I had just met the woman.

"I was going to run for Miss Texas, but Daddy insisted that I attend the university instead," Julia said. "An education is so important."

Oh, I was aware. After being forced home when my father had his stroke, I'd had to take night classes just to get my accounting degree. It was just a simple two year degree, unlike the one I would have gotten if I'd been allowed to finish attending the university in New York City.

I smiled and nodded anyway.

I was lucky that Julia did all of the talking because I didn't have much to say. I just slowly ate my soup and then waited for the next course to be served, nodding my head ever once in awhile and making a grunting noise so she'd think I was actually listening to her mindless drivel.

I wasn't.

As I took a sip of my wine, my eyes flickered to Beck. He looked about as enthused as I was. He hadn't said a word since he walked through the front door. I suspected he had received similar threats to the ones Cynthia had given me.

I stretched my leg out until it connected with his. My gesture was dangerous considering the situation we were in and the people in the room, but I wanted him to know I was here and I was thinking of him.

I had to give him props. Beck barely jerked when our legs connected. His eyes lifted to me for a moment before moving to my left where his sister was sitting.

He did rub his leg along mine, and with that my night just got a little better. It was amazing to me how something so simple could change the whole course of my evening.

"Cynthia mentioned that you work at your father's company?"

"Oh, yes, but I just work in the accounting department. Nothing glamorous. I just crunch numbers all day long."

"I'm sure if you talked to my father he could get you a position at the bank. They are always hiring."

Not a chance in hell.

"I'd prefer to stay with my father's company. It's been in the family for a very long time. It's kind of expected for me to work there."

"Well, the offer is there if you change your mind." Julia didn't seem very happy about my choice. Her lips thinned for just a moment before breaking out into what I was starting to refer to as her signature smile. I know it was meant to disarm me, as I am sure it did for most men.

I wasn't most men.

"Thank you for the thought," I said just to be polite. I knew my stepmother would expect it.

I was thrilled when the next course was served. Not only was it tasty, but eating it would prevent me from having to speak. It would be rude to talk with my mouth full.

Got to love Filet Minion.

Unfortunately, dinner ended all too soon, even with dessert served. When I stood, I naturally pulled back the chair for Julia. My father had instilled manners in me after all.

I had intended to walk away, but she once again latched onto me. It made my skin crawl. How could a brother and sister be so vastly different from each other?

Beck was sweet and kind and he had a sense of humor that often sent me into peals of laughter. I knew he had a hard outer shell. He had to. He worked in a bar.

He also had a soft gooey center. He loved hugs and snuggling, and curling up with a good cup of tea. He wasn't afraid to have an opinion that differed from other people and stood by the things he believed in. I had never seen him intentionally harm another person.

Julia, on the other hand, looked as if she believed every other person on the face of the planet had been put there simply to bow down at her feet and serve her.

She was the younger, blonder version of Cynthia.

Maybe less Botox.

"Why don't we all go to the salon for after dinner drinks?" Cynthia asked it as a question, but I doubted it was.

I declined the alcohol Cynthia offered and instead asked one of the maids to bring me coffee. Not only did I have to drive later, but I needed a clear head.

Cynthia was up to something. I could feel it. The sensation was like someone dragging the tip of a dagger down the middle of my spine. I knew at any moment it could plunge into my body and leave me to bleed to death.

I listened to the conversation going on around me with half an ear, not really contributing anything to it unless directly asked a question. I was basically just passing the time until I could leave.

Cynthia and Julia were doing most of the talking anyway, Beck's father occasionally added something, and Beck didn't say a word.

"Maxwell!"

I glanced up to see Cynthia's narrowed eyes glaring at me.

"Come."

I set my coffee cup down and got up to follow Cynthia. I didn't realize Julia was going with us until I felt her wrap herself around my arm once again.

What was this woman's problem?

Cynthia led us down the hallway to her study. After the changes she had made, it no longer felt like my father's study. Surprisingly, as soon as the study door closed behind us, Julia released me and walked over to pour herself a drink from Cynthia's liquor cart.

"Well?" Cynthia asked.

"He'll do," Julia replied.

Cynthia's shark smile was back. "Excellent."

I was so confused.

"I have the papers right here." Cynthia gestured to a file on the desk in front of her. "As soon as you and your father sign them, I'll have them filed with my attorney."

Julia lifted a very well manicured eyebrow. "The terms are the same as we discussed before?"

"They are." Cynthia grabbed the file and held it out to Julia.

I stood there like a dummy as Julia flipped the file open and read over whatever was inside. I wanted to say something, but what? I doubted Cynthia would tell me what was going on if I asked. I felt like a statue, and not even a good quality one. I was too easily dismissed.

I doubted they would even notice if I wasn't standing there, and I so wanted to leave, but I suspected I would get into trouble if I did. They wanted me here for some reason. I just wished they'd tell me why so I could leave.

After what felt like forever, Julia snapped the file closed and handed it back to Cynthia. "I'll go get my father." I swallowed tightly when her eyes pinned on me. "You need to fill him in on his part in this."

"I will," Cynthia proclaimed.

"Will he agree?"

I glanced between the two women with a growing sense of trepidation. They were planning something and it involved me? I could already tell I wasn't going to like whatever it was.

"He'll agree," Cynthia said. She seemed sure of that. "He knows what will happen if he doesn't."

Okay, maybe she had a right to be sure. She was holding my father over my head and knew I would do whatever she wanted in order to be able to continue to see him.

God, I hated her.

"I'll get my father," Julia said as she started for the door. "I'd like these papers signed and filed before we go any further."

I waited for the door to close behind Julia before asking, "What is going on, Cynthia?"

"You're getting married."

Jaw drop.

"I'm sorry, I'm what?"

"You're getting married." Cynthia grabbed a business card off her desk and tossed it at me.

I frowned when I caught it and turned it over so I could see the name on the other side. "Therugun Jewelers?"

"You need to go pick up Julia's engagement ring. She's already picked it out and had it sized so all you have to do is pay for it. You'll need it for the engagement party in six weeks."

"You're insane," I whispered. There was no way in hell that I was marrying Julia. She was a carbon copy of Cynthia. Besides, I was in love with someone else, not that I planned on telling Cynthia that.

She'd probably have Beck killed.

"You don't have a choice, Maxwell." Cynthia opened the top drawer of her desk and pulled a sheet of paper out. She tossed this at me just as she had the business card.

Rage grabbed me by the gut and twisted when I looked down at the paper. "What is this?"

It looked as if someone had taken a bunch of pictures of some building and then put them to paper. The place was a wreck. The paint on the walls was peeling, the carpet had stains, and there were even cracked and broken windows.

"Refuse to cooperate with me and that's where your father will be spending his remaining days."

"You can't do this!"

"Oh, but I can." Shark smirk. "I am his legal wife. I can do whatever I want with him and there is nothing you can do about it."

"I'll take you to court."

"Please, go ahead. By the time you find a lawyer, your father will be gone and you'll never see him again. That place is the dirtiest, most decrepit, and understaffed facility I could find. I doubt he'd live long."

How could someone be so evil?

"He's your husband."

"He's a parasite," Cynthia snapped. "He was a parasite before he had his stroke. He took one look at me and saw happy little family." She snorted. "Like I wanted a kid. I didn't even want a husband."

"Then why did you marry him?"

I really wished she hadn't.

"Because despite his little family fantasies, he had money and I wanted it."

I clenched my hand around the paper I was holding until it crumbled. "You married him for his money?" Considering Cynthia's behavior since day one, that actually made sense to me.

"Well, I certainly didn't marry him so I could mother his sniveling little brat."

Yeah, there was no love lost there.

"You want the company?" I asked. "Take it. Just give me my father."

"You know, I would, but I would miss the joy I get from watching you squirm as I crush you beneath my feet."

It was all I could do not to leap across the desk and wrap my fingers around Cynthia's throat, squeezing until I saw the life fade from her eyes.

"Just be a good little boy and do what Mother says."

My lips twitched as I pressed them together, grinding my jaw. "I don't want to get married. I don't even know Julia."

"Which is why I've arranged for you to have dinner together every Sunday. It'll give you two time to get to know each other." That stupid ass shark smirk was back. "You'll be allowed to see your father after each visit."

Unfortunately, she had me by the balls and she knew it.