You're Mine

Chapter Twenty-Five

Luke

I can't believe he's here. My ears ring as blood rushes around my head. I can't form a sentence, can't form a single goddam thought.

What is he doing here?

"Why don't we all grab a seat? Dinner is ready in ten minutes." Victoria is still bouncing beside us nervously, but I don't miss that bite in her voice.

They know he's sick now. They know I kept that from them.

We all head to the dining room and I greet everyone, my head still ringing. He didn't want anyone to know he was sick- he basically threatened to abandon me if I told Victoria or Leo. So why now?

I don't notice an assistant or anyone else with him, so did he come alone?

"It's going to be fine." Riley's voice breaks the buzzing in my head and she squeezes my hand again as we sit down.

I had told her the full story in bed one evening, not long ago. It had just spilled out and she listened until I was finished, rubbing soothing circles in my back.

Victoria bustles about, getting the kids to help her get the last of the feast down on the table. Nobody really says anything. Riley makes quiet conversation with Joe about the kids. I avoid my fathers stare.

The food is finally all served and we all dig in, scooping food onto our plates.

"So Riley, it's certainly a surprise to see you again." My fathers voice rises above the general chatter. Everyone slightly quietens, glancing towards her.

She blushes slightly, but offers a polite smile. "I live in the city too- we reconnected a while ago."

"That's good. My son always had a chip on his shoulder about leaving you and your friends behind- maybe that'll be gone now, with any luck." He takes a sip of his water, staring at me. I continue to ignore him.

Riley coughs and continues to eat, unsure what to say.

"Do you work anywhere?" He continues.

"I work two jobs, I'm thinking about accepting a job with a planning company but I'm still deciding."

"Two jobs- impressive." He chews and swallows slowly. His hand shakes with every forkful and despite all that happened, it still causes an ache in my heart.

Nobody likes seeing their parents sick and it doesn't matter what he's done, seeing my father wither away before my eyes isn't something I ever wanted to experience. It's painful.

Part of me feels little sympathy for him- he's a cruel man and maybe this is a case of what goes around comes around. He never treated his employees or competitors fairly, he never loved his family the way he should've. My mother's death certainly had a part to play but he became unbearable.

He narrows his eyes at the two of us and I wait for whatever poison he'll spit next.

"I'm just glad you found each other again." He says, resuming eating.

I pause.

"Me too." Riley smiles at me and just for a moment, my nerves are eased ever so slightly by those golden eyes.

"I mean I'm just glad it was never Lucy- that girl is vile. Foul mouthed, promiscuous, lazy. Good to know Luke has some sense."

There it is.

"Lucy-" I start, my temper flaring.

"So, Luke how's the new job going?" Victoria asks immediately, cutting me off. I meet her eyes, unsure how she's stopping herself exploding at me. She must be furious.