Antitype by M. D. Waters Read Free Book Online Page B

linked hands, and past that, the ripples of water.
    He sidles up beside me and mirrors my stance. “Got your message.”
    I suck in a thin breath. “Does the raid have to happen in September? Can we go earlier?”
    â€œSomething wrong?”
    Twisting to face him, I tell him what went down with Hannah. How thin she looked. How tired. I finish with the short bursts of memory loss. “If something happens to Hannah . . . Paige is thirteen, but I can’t ask her to look after the younger two. I need them out.”
    Updike’s head lowers, chin nearly to his chest. “I wish I could help, Noah.”
    I knew he was going to say that. “Is this because I’m still on the fence?”
    He straightens and faces me. “No. I’m giving you the same answer I’d give any other man in my unit.” His lips purse. “And since we’re on the subject . . . have you decided?”
    â€œYou promised me time.”
    â€œAnd if you’re playing me to get you through September’s raid—”
    â€œI’m not. I swear, I’m not.” I rake my hands through my hair.
    I’ve lain awake many a night in the last month wondering why I stay. Am I not passively accepting the status quo by supporting my father, preparing almost daily to head his company? I’m killing myself to keep my sisters safe, but what about the girls without a family? Who’s helping them?
    â€œI’m reluctant to leave my life here, but I’m no longer so sure I want it.”

AUGUST
    Declan
    I stare at the afternoon traffic passing on the projected window in Dad’s office. Stare past it, really. The day started off like they all do and in just a few short hours has turned into a nightmare.
    â€œI’m seconds from ending this right now and handing everything over to Jacob,” Dad says behind me.
    I’m completely out of fuel at this point, unable to argue the matter any longer. I’m weighed down by guilt, anger, and frustration. I didn’t do anything wrong. And more important, neither did Giovanni.
    I fist my hands at my sides. “Did you have to take his restaurant, Dad?”
    â€œIt wasn’t the plan, but he refused to see things my way.”
    I turn from the projected cityscape. Dad faces me without an ounce of uncertainty. Without an ounce of remorse. I wish I knew what it would take to change that. I would strike, and strike hard. “He refused to fire me, so you stole his business. How is that fair?”
    Dad rests his hands on his hips. His black suit jacket opens to reveal the red lining, flaring the flaps like angry butterfly wings. His head clicks forward, then back, then forward as if his neck is loosely hinged. “You want to talk about fair? I asked you to devote your summer to me. Not split your focus with a restaurant that can only be described as average.”
    â€œIt’s a five-star restaurant.”
    He continues, undaunted, hands flying into the air. “Do you think I
want
to take these things from you? How am I supposed to trust you with my company?”
    â€œYou’re right,” I say and nod once. “I messed up.” Any excuse I have won’t be heard, so I won’t waste my breath. “Just don’t take it out on Giò. He doesn’t deserve this.”
    â€œYou should have thought of that before. Every action has a consequence, Declan. Remember that.”
    Dad’s personal assistant, Piper, steps into the office, a tablet hugged to her chest. Her skirt and blouse are pressed, and not a hair of her tight bun is out of place. “Your teleconference begins in two minutes.”
    Dad starts out of the room without a second’s hesitation.
    â€œDad, we need to talk about Giovanni’s.”
    He calls over his shoulder, “It’s done. Live with it.”
    I collapse on the love seat and let my head fall back with a sigh. This is all my fault. But how do