Page 7 (1/2)
The fear that Maddux witnessed on Theodore’s face the second the reatest adversary was one of thewas fourteen long years in theminute of it
He planned to savor Theodore’s panic and despair The same panic and despair his parents undoubtedly had felt at the end of their lives Maddux wasn’t going to kill Theodorebut he was going to decimate his life as he currently knew it
“Gentleman, have a seat,” Maddux drawled cordially fro the room
Two of his trustedthe closed door behind Theodore and Gavin In front of where Maddux was positioned were four comfortable leather chairs and one extra he’d situated next to his own so that Vincent could sit beside hi by extortingcitizens and small businesses that could barelytwo of those people who’d suffered, and died, as a result of Theodore’s and Gavin’s greed
Theodore huffed out an indignant breath that did little to disguise his rising apprehension as he glared from Maddux to Vincent “What the hell kind of setup is this?”
Maddux leaned casually back in his chair and gave the other man a contemptuous smile “Come on, Theodore,” he mocked “Did you really think you were invited to a very exclusive ball because you’re the pillar of society? You clearly have a very large outstanding debt as a result of your ga to Vincent, your repay interest, is past due If you’re unable to pay what you owe Vincent, then I’ll be taking over the note and you’ll be forced to uarantee that by the time I’m done with you, you’ll wish that you’d never crossed paths with me or my family”
“This is complete and utter bullshit,” Gavin snarled like a rabid pit bull “This is extortion and you won’t get aith it”
Maddux laughed at the accusation “That is fucking rich, co innocent people who are barely able to make ends meet Now sit The Fuck Down” Each enunciated word reverberated in the rooh that both Gavin and Theodore did as they were told, albeit begrudgingly
An odd noise sounded on the other side of the door, and Maddux didn’t hesitate to get up to make sure no one else was on the balcony level, which he’dOne of his security guys stepped forward as a precaution, and as soon as Maddux opened the door, he was shocked to see Arabella standing on the other side
The stricken look in her wide blue eyes told hi a criminal… and worse Maddux clenched his jaw at this unexpected turn of events He didn’t want her here She didn’t belong here, where corruption was about to take place, where Maddux hieance Yetdidn’t she deserve to knohat a piece of shit her father really was?
And huhter was just another layer of revenge Maddux couldn’t pass up
“Bella,” he e from his voice for her “Since you’ve already been privy to our private conversation, why don’t you come in and join us and hear the rest of it?”
Wringing her hands, she tentatively stepped inside, her gaze i to Theodore Pain and confusion etched across her pretty features and she sed hard before speaking “Fatherwhat have you done?” It ca whisper
“I don’t want her here,” Theodore said through clenched teeth, ignoring the question and refusing toto do with her”
“I'oing on with you, I have a right to knohat it is”