Page 50 of With This Mask

"About?"

"Your future. And my son's."

Shit. Shit. As much as I’d like to tell this asshole what he can go do to himself, I’m all clammy and overwhelmed. Without a word, I slip into the empty seat beside him. The door shuts behind me with a finality that echoes in the tense silence, sealing me inside with a man whose motives are as clear as mud, but undoubtedly laced with trouble.

“You’re very smart, Salem,” William says, not wasting any time with bullshit. “When that very touching video of my son claiming you as his girlfriend was sent to me, I looked you up.”

My stomach turns over at that. I feel… violated.

“Top of your class every year, right next to my own son,” he says, casting those icy eyes on me. “I struggled to find a GPA higher in the school.”

“But,” I fill in for him, the anticipation eating at me.

“But my son has a duty to fill,” William says flatly. He’s looking over my worn-out jeans, my scuffed shoes. “The merging of the Vanderholt and Harding families has long been in the making. My son and Victoria Harding have been primed for each other most of their lives. You may be impressive in what you have overcome, Salem. But you are a distraction.”

Every word that comes out of this man’s mouth gives me the ick. Every judgmental, posturing word he speaks makes me want to crawl out of my own skin.

“You’re not God, Mr. Vanderholt,” I say, using every ounce of control I have not to lose my shit right now. “You don’t get to dictate Alec’s life just because you’re powerful and control his inheritance.”

William smiles at me, something condescending and cold. “Are you trying to tell me you would still be interested in my son if he were penniless?”

I scoff immediately. “The money is the least appealing thing about your son to me, Mr. Vanderholt. He is so much more than it.”

He studies me for several long moments, and I think I’ve actually surprised him. He didn’t expect my answer. And that speaks volumes about him.

I remember what Alec told me about his father turning into a robot after his mother died. And I see it now. This is a man who has erased all emotion from his capabilities. He is logic, planning, cunning.

“I need my son to get back on track with Victoria Harding,” he continues, ignoring my answer. “And that cannot happen with you in the picture, Miss Winters. You will end things with Alec.”

I can’t help the disgust that downturns my entire face. I shake my head. “You realize that even me breaking up with him wouldn’t make him run into her arms, right?”

“Alec knows what is expected of him,” William says confidently. “He will eventually return to his duty.”

Wow. No wonder Alec hates his father so damn much.

“Why would I do what you’re asking?” I question. I hold my chin high, refusing to back down from this wealthy bully. “I care about Alec. He cares about me. So why would I ever do what you’re asking?”

A new level of coldness comes into William’s eyes. “Because if you do not, I will tank Alec’s little side project and it will fall flat to the ground before it can truly lift off.”

Fuck.

Alec’s app. The thing he’s worked so hard for. The thing that’s supposed to allow him to break free of his father’s thumb. The one that’s gaining rapid momentum.

Does William really have the ability to ruin it all?

As I look into the man’s eyes, I think he does.

His darkness promises he does.

“And not only that, but the Harding family owns one of the largest banks on this coast,” William says, and he actually smiles just a little, his dubiousness shining through. “I understand your mother recently remarried. Do you know who owns the mortgage on her new home? Did you know she and her new husband have paid their mortgage two weeks late this last month? Did you know how easy it is to repossess a home once payments are late?”

That does it.

My entire body goes cold.

Mom has worked so damn hard her whole life to finally own her own home, and with Danny, she’s finally gotten it.

“There are consequences to our actions, Miss Winters,” William warns. “We must always weigh the cost. Is the risk worth the reward? My son will tire of you at some point, Salem. He always does. And he is used to a certain… caliber of woman. You have certainly made a valiant effort academically, but when it comes to matter of class and society…” he shakes his head. “You are far, far out of your depth, my dear. So why not save a heartache? Why not save his project? Why not save your mother’s home?”