DEVIL: A Stepbrother Romance by Aubrey Sage Read Free Book Online Page A

summer side jobs that he would help Dad with for an extra twenty bucks here and there, but otherwise our parents supported him.
    Mitch eyed the paper, but his facial expression remained set in the melancholy frown that he had sported since he arrived in the conference room. I figured that he was still in a lot of pain from the accident or maybe had some other damage that was preventing him from responding.
    My Dad spoke first. “Well, ugh… This is more money than we–“
    “5 million dollars,” Mitch interrupted, silencing my Dad and shocking everyone in the room.
    Everyone turned their attention to Mitch, and the female attorney on the other end of the table said, “I’m sorry?”
    “I want 5 million dollars,” he reiterated firmly, speaking strong and and more sure of himself than I had ever seen. “If you want me to settle, then I want 5 million. Otherwise we’ll continue with a suit.”
    The opposing lawyer gave a half nervous smile and looked at Mitch. “Umm… Mr. Ryker, $500,000 is a lot of money. Maybe you just need some time to discuss this with your lawyer.”
    “Take it or leave it,” Mitch parried.
    “For Christ’s sake, he’s not even that hurt. Look at him…” the driver blurted. Judging by his Armani suit, he was a well off man, but by his unkempt hair, sagging eyes and the stubble on his face, the man probably hadn’t slept for days.
    The other attorney tried to quiet the defendant down, and Mitch shuffled in his wheelchair. For a moment, I thought he was going to stand, but instead he just lifted his unbroken arm and spoke with a sinister voice that I didn’t even recognize. “Listen to me, you asshole. I’m in this wheelchair because of you. You broke my bones and sent me to the grave. I’m lucky to be alive right now. And you… you have the gull to tell me that I’m not even hurt? I’ll show you what it’s like to be hurting when I take you for more than you’re worth.” Mom reached out in an attempt to ease Mitch’s arm down, but he pushed it away. “Either you take the settlement, or I’ll see you in court.”
    The female attorney looked toward Rico Johnson, but our lawyer just opened his eyes wide and gave her a shrug. “Can you give us a minute to discuss this?” she asked.
    “Just give it to him…” the drunk driver said dismissively, his face molten and sad. “Give him what he wants. I want this over with.”
    “Are you sure?” his attorney probed. “No negotiation?”
    The man nodded.
    “Alright, well then that settles it. Let’s draw up the papers for 5 million.”
    Mom, Dad, and the lawyer all seemed shocked and wide-eyed at what had just happened. Had they really just agreed to give Mitch 5 million dollars? Of course, I was just as shocked as anyone else. The only person who seemed unaffected was Mitch, who sat there with the same strange frown on his face that he’d been sporting since he arrived.
    After 45 minutes of printing, copying, and signatures, the settlement had been finalized, and the deal was done. Within 90 days, 5 million dollars would be deposited in Mitch’s bank account, but he had to agree that nothing would be discussed about the accident with any members of the media, and he would be responsible for any current and future medical bills along with the damage to his car.
    The two lawyers shook hands, and the female attorney along with her client started for the conference door. Right before the driver exited, he turned to Mitch and sighed. “I’m sorry for what happened. I should have–“
    “Fuck off, asshole,” Mitch interrupted. It was the first thing that he had said since his multi-million-dollar demand.
    The man’s head sulked and he headed through the door.
    I don’t ever really remember Mitch being the type of guy to use throw curse words around, so hearing him use sharp language shocked the whole family. No one reprimanded Mitch for his words though. He was right to be angry. He was right to be passionate. After all,