“So quiet, my boy. You’ve always been quiet.”
Finch took a step closer, and Sam took a step back. Only the tell-tale click of the gun behind them stopped further movement.
While their father had looked at Liam with discontent, he approached Sam with a softer demeanor, one closer to tenderness. However, Liam had heard about the abuse Finch had inflicted on Sam as a young boy, and even if the brother hadn’t discussed the trauma openly with him, it allowed Liam to see something more in Finch’s eye. A disgusting longing for what had been, depravity that scarred the boy and still haunted his brother to this day.
Liam stepped sideways in an attempt to bring the malicious attention solely to him and it worked.
Helen hissed at his back and Finch level his gun on him. “Don’t play hero, boy. You have too much to lose now.”
“Why you don’t do everyone a favor and end your own life?”
“Not until you boys give me back my life. Not until you erase the stain you caused on my reputation. Only when I’m on top again, may I decide to leave your loved ones alone. Maybe.”
As if there was a possibility of compassion in him, of clemency.
“Is that why you planted false evidence against Lazarus? You’re stepping on him to climb back on top?”
“He was my heir! The only one who truly understood who I am, and who he could become. I could have accepted his rejection, and left him to appreciate a lowly life, like all of you, but he turned on me. Treason is unforgivable. I’m sure you both understand.”
Liam needed more. The more information he could pump from him, the more he could manage the situation, and what was to come.
“Accusing Lazarus won’t give you back your power.”
“The goal here is to all bring you down, one by one. Showing the world my sons are lowly criminals, that their words are worth nothing. It’s the first step to my rehabilitation. The plan is already in place. Nothing can stop it, not either of you, and not your little woman here.”
Liam looked at the white tower and Finch smiled. “You’re a clever boy. I only have clever boys. Too clever for their own good, and to see what’s best for them. So as a father worth his salt, I’ll teach you. You know about the relay I’ve installed here, that’s the reason you’re here. I’m not an expert, I probably made a few mistakes along the way. However, one I didn’t make was security. You’re looking at it and thinking unplugging it will solve your problems, but it won’t. I made sure of it. Even if you unplug it, there’s a failsafe, enough of a delay for it to trigger the alarm and send the information to the authorities.”
Liam didn’t want to believe him.
“You’re insane, you fucking madman.”
Liam wanted to do more than just yell at him. Like a storm, he just wished it to end, but he poked at the tiger instead.
“You will start respecting me!” In a blast of rage, he turned and pulled at Catriona’s hair. She screamed in pain as he brought her up.
“Leave her alone!”
“Kneel!” Finch’s shout felt like a punch and there was no way he could defy him. With bile rising in his throat, he swayed and knelt before the monster who’d made him. Only for one person would he do it, and she was helpless at Finch’s mercy.
It was clear that his father reveled in his power, glee lighting his silver eyes as he saw both Liam and Sam obeying him for the first time in his life. Liam knew he’d decided to inflict as much fear and pain as he could.
“She’s mine now. And if you don’t want me to put more marks on her, you will do as I say.”
The explosive anger turned to calculation in his eyes. The man wanted to play, and Liam knew it was only a matter of time before he started killing again.
His demeanor softened, and he rubbed his cheek against Catriona’s hair, still locking gazes with Liam in an evident taunt that was clouding his judgment toward his precious angel. He wanted to tear free from his bonds and kill his father with his bare hands, but he was powerless.
“I can see she’s much more to you than a simple ally.” With the gun still clutched in his hand, he caressed her belly before slowly rising, clearly enjoying the effect he had on him. Liam felt so tense, almost felt his bones were ready to break, but it was Sam who snarled, snapping from his usual countenance.
“Don’t put your filthy paws on her!”
Liam didn’t want to put too much emphasis on how much he wanted to protect Catriona, so she wouldn’t be used as leverage. However, Sam was too shaken to think the same.
Helen came behind him and touched his hair in an evil caress. “Easy, my dear. He’s not hurting her.” Her hand came down on him, and before Liam could tell her to remove her hand from his brother, Sam snapped like never before. He emitted a growl similar to a cornered animal and launched himself at the woman, despite his bonds.
Sam tackled Helen, but only hit her enough to make her fall back, her gun skidding a few feet away. Helen was fast to get back to her feet, and as volatile as her brother, started punching and kicking Sam hard, until he crumpled to the floor. Helen was out of breath and abandoned the reason for her wrath. Sam stayed on the floor, shivering.
Liam tried to help him, but Finch was quick to remind him that he was in control of the situation. “You need to know your place, both of you. You should thank your aunt, Sam, for reminding you. Now, Liam, it’s your turn to learn your lesson.”
