Your greatest mistake

Chapter 16

I finally have a moment to look forward to today as I wait for the truck to pull around the turning space that now feels too small for this truck, but to my surprise, the driver does the job flawlessly.

I move to the back, practically bouncing out of my skin. The doors open and there he is.

Prince seems to be just as excited when he sees me. I race up the ramp the moment it hits the ground, not letting them unhitch him. I want to do that myself.

I open the gate and guide him out. The moment his feet touch the ground he spins around, obviously excited with the new place.

I laugh watching his excitement, trying to take in everything at once. "Easy Prince, we have plenty of time. This is your home now. Nothing but the best for you."

I begin to walk to the back of the property where Dad's stables are. The stocks are all full except for the one Dad said I could have for Prince once the old champion dash was retired and moved to the country estate.

I don't worry he will run off. I know when he's had a run around he will find me. After everything he's been through I like to think one of us can have a bit of freedom.

Just as I reach the stables Prince finds me just as I thought he would. He acts more like a dog than a horse but I'm sure Dad will not be happy about a horse in the house so I stress to Prince he will have to stay with the rest of the horses.

I'm rubbing him down when I hear a scream coming from upstairs. I drop the cloth in the bucket and run.

I burst through the doors and up the stairs to find Learch outside Loralie's room.

"For fuck's sake! Why can't you just leave us alone?"

"How dare you!" Victor's hand flies across Loralie's face so hard the impact knocks her to the ground. "Stupid bitch," he spits.

I struggle against Michael and Trevor who are a clear head taller than me, trying to get to Loralie. "Victor stop! She is your daughter!"

Victor turns his gaze to me, "I will get to you in due time boy." He turns his attention back to Loralie, smacking her to the ground again.

She doesn't cry or make a sound this time. Every time he hits her she gets back up. "Please stop it. Whatever you want, I'll do it. Just stop please," my voice comes out deep and strong, but I feel anything but when I see the blood on Loralie's face.

My words have Victor's attention, "Put her in the car and take her home. I have to teach Alex a few lessons."

Trevor releases me, grabbing Loralie and dragging her out the door to the limo. Trevor still holds me as Victor turns his attention to me.

"Do what you like Victor. As long as it isn't Loralie I'll be fine with whatever you give me."

"That's good news because I have much to give you but Loralie is stopping you from becoming what you are meant for."

I'm confused, is he going to hit me or not? Victor continues to circle me. "I have a vast empire with much to train you, and at this moment in time you being away while watching over a wife that is not doing what she is meant to."

"She is doing just fine. My wife is my business, no one else's."

"It becomes my business when you don't come to work or when issues arise and you are not up to scratch with what's going on. I know things have been rough but they are done. Get over them. A new day and the problem didn't go away. Boo hoo. Life goes on."

I feel my temper rising with every cold word he utters. You lost your baby, get over it. We can beat your wife and take her away from you whenever we like. Get over it. We control you. It was the deal. Get over it! I swear he says it one more time I'll....

"Until you can learn your place I'll have to take matters into my own hands, starting with Loralie. You seem to be most compliant when she is at risk. Hell if I know why. Do your job and get over i –."

Before he finishes the sentence I throw a massive punch, driving it into Victor's face so fast Trevor had no chance to stop it. Victor looks at me, rubbing his jaw.

"What? I hit you. Get over it." My words are ruthless and unapologetic.

Victor breaks into a laugh, "Now that's what I was looking for. Give me that fire every day and everything will be yours. That's all I ask Alex."

"I want my wife in our home. You give me that with all the freedom to have a normal life with her outside of work and I'll do as you ask. You have my word."

Victor gives me a silent look as if thinking this over. "Very well, but you run off or try anything stupid and I will shut this all down again."

I hold my hand out to him and he takes it in his. "This does mean you won't hurt her anymore?" I say, pulling his hand closer, freezing our shake.

"That my boy is completely up to you," he says, pulling his hand back.

Victor pulls out his phone to call Trevor. The phone rings out. Victor's face becomes annoyed. "Ugh, good help is hard to find," he says, redialling the phone.

"Michael, let's go. We will probably get to the house before he even answers."

Victor, still on his phone, gestures for me to follow him. We walk out the doors and out to a waiting limo Michael has brought round for us. I get in right after Victor, not wanting to question anything, proving I will do as he asks.

Only halfway to Victor's we are stopped by flashing lights. Micheal slows down. My stomach drops. Before anyone has a chance to stop me I am out of the car and running up the long line of traffic to where the police have the road blocked off and are redirecting traffic. Just beyond, I see the burning inferno that no more than an hour ago left my Dad's home with my wife inside.

I try to force my way across the barricade but am met by officers forcing me back and the more I push the more come.

"You can't go in there. It's not safe!"

"I don't care! My wife is in there!"

Six officers push me to a police car and throw me in the back, keeping me trapped as I watch the fire blaze fiercely. I don't know at what point the fire department gets here but the fire is so hot it takes a lifetime for the flames to die down.

I watch them guide cars around and push the traffic back further. Two ambulances are positioned to try and shield the incident while making sure they have clear access in case they find any survivors.

The fire is finally out and even though the wreckage has more water in and around it than most water parks, it still sizzles and steams.

The firemen finally move in, securing the sight. It doesn't take long before they are pulling a body out of the car and placing it on a white tarp.

My stomach drops and I feel my world come crashing down on me.

Only one body? Wait, there could be a chance that's not Loralie. My heart begins to race in hopes she managed to get out somehow.

That's when I see a pair of legs dangling from the back of the ambulance. I turn my head around further to see Trevor talking to two police officers while holding a shot up shoulder while a paramedic is dressing it.

Of course, Victor is through the barricade and at Trevor's side talking to the police as well. Once a few words are spoken to Victor he turns angrily to leave. His eyes dart to me and for a moment I swear I see... sorrow? Or maybe pity. Most likely for me.

My hope is gone. His look said it all. Even when his daughter is gone, taken from us, he doesn't feel for her even a little.

My hopes that Loralie is alive are dashed from me with that one look. Victor doesn't stay to make sure I'm okay or tell me the news himself. Well, I guess he just did with a single look.

If I could guess from the looks of Trevor and the vehicle, the car was attacked and after Trevor got out of the car to fight back, the car was set alight with Loralie still inside. With Trevor transporting her back to Victor's the car, it would have been locked down to stop her getting out. Meaning once the vehicle was alight she was trapped. What better way to get at a king then to kill his one and only child? The only thing they never realized was that Victor holds no feeling for Loralie. His only weakness I can see now is me.