Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(90)

“If they find out I talked to you, I’m a dead man walking,” he blurts.

“We can protect you,” Drew says. “And we don’t plan on doing anything rash with the information we learn here tonight. Everything will be planned to the finest detail because we take minimal risks when it comes to the elite.”

“Why are you doing this?” he queries. “Your father will kill you if he finds out.”

“Our father won’t know about this unless anyone in this room tells him,” I say.

Drew scoffs, and an ugly sneer grips the corners of his mouth. “I’m his heir. He won’t kill me. Especially not over someone like you.”

I sneak a glance at my brother, and I can’t tell if he genuinely means that or he’s reverted to evil-psycho-bastard mode as part of his role playing.

“It’s none of your concern,” Drew adds, drilling him with a dark look. “Worry about yourself and your family and let us worry about the rest.”

“It’s not like I have any choice,” the doctor concedes, looking resigned. “But I need your word that if it comes down to it you’ll get my family out of the country.”

“You have our word,” I say without hesitation. “We will protect your wife and daughters and see they come to no harm.” I truly hope I’m not lying to the man.

Drew purses his lips, shaking his head at me. “We can promise you no such thing,” he says, and I frown. “And I’m done listening to your inane questions.” He leans over him, putting his face right up in his. The doctor tries to cower back, but there’s nowhere for him to go. “You will tell us what we need to know, without any further protest, or I will beat you bloody until you are begging for death.”

You could hear a pin drop in the quiet space. Kai, Jackson, and Sawyer share a look while Rick stares curiously at my brother.

Ho. Lee. Fuck.

In this moment, as I watch my twin coldly threaten the doctor with blazing intent and zero remorse in his eyes, I realize he has done a stellar job of hiding his dark side from me. I was a fool to think the damage inflicted on him in Parkhurst hadn’t changed him. It’s altered all of them in different ways—Drew, Charlie, and Trent.

“Okay,” the doctor agrees in a shaky voice, looking like he’s about to shit his pants. He glances down. “Could you untie my arms? They hurt.”

“Like I hurt every-fucking-where after what was done to me,” I spit out. So what if his arms are aching after a few hours of being tied behind his back? It’s nothing compared to what was done to me.

“I wasn’t the one who did that. I was on vacation when you were first brought in,” he starts explaining as Sawyer unties the binds around his hands. “When I returned to work, I was shocked you were there. And I was appalled when I discovered Dr. Lacy had performed an illegal abortion and breast augmentation at your father’s request.” He wets his dry lips, looking at Rick. Rick uncaps the water bottle and hands it to him.

My eyes meet Kai’s in shared pain, but I lock that shit up, hardening my heart and preparing it for what’s next to come. But I tuck Dr. Lacy’s name away to come back to. That man is going to get what he deserves.

“We were told Abby had had a hysterectomy,” Drew says. “But we know that’s not true.”

“Your father wanted it performed, but I got there in time to stop it. I’m Dr. Lacy’s superior, so it wasn’t unusual that I threw him out of the operating room and took over.”

“You inserted the birth control implant,” I say although I already know our guesswork was correct.

“I did, because I needed to cover my tracks. It usually messes with menstruation for the first few months, so I was hopeful you wouldn’t have any periods, and at least it protected you from pregnancy should you have unprotected sex.”

“Why?” I ask. “Why didn’t you do it? You’re clearly terrified of my father, and the elite, based on your earlier reaction, so why didn’t you just do what he’d asked?”

His features soften. “Because I looked at you and I saw my daughters. And I saw a beautiful young woman with her whole life ahead of her.” He averts his eyes, looking at the floor for a few minutes. “I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of, but I couldn’t go that far. I never wanted to work for the elite. It’s my legacy passed down from my father and his before him. I couldn’t say no even though I wanted to. I’m trapped, and I’ve had to do things that keep me from sleeping at night, but I could not take away any young woman’s ability to carry children.”

He looks me straight in the eye. “I knew there would be consequences. I’ve been looking over my shoulder ever since although I wasn’t expecting you to show up. I was planning on leaving the US with my family once I had it all set up, and then I was going to send you an anonymous communication explaining what had happened and asking you to say nothing about it.”

There’s no doubt in my mind that every word he has spoken is the truth. And I understand what it’s like to be forced to do things to survive. I’ve done things I’m not proud of too. I doubt they are on the same level as him, but he has risked a lot to do this for me.

“Thank you,” I say. “Thank you for saving my future babies.”