Aftermath Book Two Crash Series

Chapter Thirty-Three

Mason

            “We don’t have a meeting.” His blue eyes are so similar to my own it’s like looking into a mirror of what he’s always wanted me to become. And he’s never been closer to succeeding. I wonder if he sees it? Does he know how close I am, was this his goal the whole time?

            If my rage wasn’t blinding me I’d have the same cold and calculating eyes he has at this moment. Apart from it comes with the territory of CEO, or billionaire, but that’s his whole personality. I know how to be warm, understanding, and compassionate. All quality he’s severely lacking in with no chance of it ever-changing.

            “Don’t we? You scheduled it with Aria on Friday night.” Rolling up the sleeves of my long sleeve dress shirt I slowly walk around his office making it closer and closer to him as he sits there trying to appear unaffected, in control. He’s relaxed in his chair, behind his grand desk with a breathtaking view of Boston behind him. He brought his paper closer to him, opened wide as he continues to read like he can ignore me and I’ll go away.

        All he’s doing is justifying my rage. To see no remorse, no regret, or even a glimpse of acceptance of what he brought upon himself. What he’s making me do, what we’ve always had to sacrifice and do for him, well he’s never once thought of any of us beyond himself.

        “Aria? Oh, that’s right that fiancée of yours. Hmm, well she must be mistaken. If I had any need to schedule a meeting, I would have my secretary handle it like every other time.” He briefly peeks over the newspaper, shrugging my way but I don’t like what he’s implying. Again he’s fueling my rage, my desperation for action, and justifying my thoughts, and negating my doubts. He deserves everything coming his way.  

            “You’re right you could have. I’m glad to see you still have some form of reason left in that cancerous brain of yours,” I spit the words out. Glaring at the newspaper. Standing in front of the corner of his desk I wait.

            He drops the paper to his lap as the first flicker of anger flashes behind his mask of perfection and control. “Remind yourself who you’re talking to,” his words are growled low in warning as if they’ll have a real effect on me. I’ve heard that tone since I was an infant, I’m immune by now. It’s about time he realizes someone has a bigger and nastier bite than he does.  

            “I remember just fine. I’ve known you my entire life, it’s only my perception of you that’s ever changed never your character. It’s you that’s under a delusion, but I guess that’s what happens when you invest more time in your personal gain than the family you created.

            “While you’re off plotting and planning you forgot that we were becoming our own people in spite of you. Building our own lives and living by our own moral codes, not the corrupted version of morality you tried gaslighting us with. You can bullshit a room of people but not me.” His self-obsession and greed have made him blind to the person he helped create and shape, his biggest and most dangerous enemy.

            “Seems like you have something you need to say, Mason. So say it but remember it’s only a phone call away from calling the board together. Hours and I can have you removed from the position. Make your accusations carefully, son.” Where he was sitting straight up as if he was prepared to rise to his feet at any moment he relaxes back, maybe thinking the threat would be enough?

            “Bullshit, Father,” I spit out. “You won’t remove me, turn your paper to page nine what do you see?” There’s an article there about my upcoming wedding and Aria’s upcoming show promotion. I hate the publicity most of the time but it’s benefiting me now more than I thought possible. We have the publics' attention and appeal, both Aria and I.

        He can make any move he wants but my character stands for its self I can get my PR team to get interviews with Paul and the hand full of other charities I work closely with. It wouldn’t take much to have the public in an uproar which puts pressure on the business and the investor's bottom line.

        “You think all the board members don’t read the same pages? Do you just f**k every woman around you or do you listen? Who are they talking about? I assure you it isn’t you.I bet half the woman are wishing it was me instead of you.” He tries hard not to wince as I insult him and I wonder if I found a sore spot when his anger flares.

        “You’re out of your prime old man, don’t forget that. And don’t forget who has the support of the public. Let’s give the board a choice right now me or you who do you think they’ll choose.” I don’t even touch on the logistics and how even with the board's full support he would still need my mother Jaxson and me to sign off on the removal. Jaxson would laugh in everyone’s face and Cynthia would be easily persuaded with the looming wedding and the drama and shitshow my removal would ultimately bring to her doorstep and her circles. Oh, and I would be sure of it. I would never go quietly into the wind, and he knows it. I get immense satisfaction watching as his face falls.

        Finally, some of the rage that’s been stuck loosens from my chest, clearing some of the red from my vision. I tap his desk a few times and smirk in his face as the banging on the door starts. I’m glad I had the foresight to lock it, it’ll be a few minutes before they get security or Jaxson here to unlock the door, the only other person with access.

            It’s probably Leo pissed that he can’t help accomplish a little revenge on Aria’s behalf. I’m not surprised she’s weaved her way into so many hearts in so little time. Leo was as anxious as I was to get back to the states when we got the call. And I’m sure he knew this was coming but he’ll have to wait, right now is my time to play out my own revenge.

            “You’re playing a dangerous game you know nothing about Mason. I have plenty of ways to remove you, quietly and in my favor.” He slams his fist on the desk, his whole façade cracking. This is the real him in all his evil glory.

            “Mhm, father tell me more about these methods? Are they related to how you broke into Shirleys on Friday? Or how low you’re willing to go, like sexually assaulting my fiancé?” There's a second I see nothing but red, the reminder enough. He touched her, he had his dirty f*****g hands-on Aria, frightened her. I still can’t bring myself to wonder or even ask what his plan was. What were his intentions, to take her? Kill her? Rape her?

            I shudder as let my anger take over. To overwhelmed to suppress it any longer. He went too far and he cares far too little.

            “Women are nothing more than gold diggers Mason. I taught you better than to believe anything out of their mouths. Again, I’ll remind you to think about the accusations you’re making.” His condescending tone does me in.

            The door rattles behind me while Leo shouts my name. I can only imagine the scene they’re making out there or the gossip that is already circulating through the company. It’s all a problem for later. Right now I’m running out of one on one time with dear old Dad.

Stomping around his desk I lean my weight on the edge, crossing my arms in front of me while I kick my foot out and shove the leg of his chair as hard as I can.

            He drops the paper into his lap as he grips the sides of the chair and leans forwards overcompensating for the unsteady motion of falling, he’s feeling as the chair flings backward. The fear on his face is enough to have me releasing another bout of rage and a heavy satisfying sigh. I’m glad I took my suit jacket off this morning, the shoulders are always too restrictive, much too restrictive for what I have planned. Thrilling pans for me, not so much for Edward.  

            “The woman you associate with are but not Aria. I wouldn’t be marrying her if I didn’t trust her completely. I have no doubt about what took place on Friday. Every single detail.” I follow the path of the chair as I stomp closer.

            “What the f**k do you think you’re doing Mason?” He’s quick to stand up and start retreating to the side of his office.

            “I’m making myself perfectly f*****g clear Father.” I follow him forward, coping with every step he makes with one of mine. His office is big, bigger than my own, and still, we eat up space. His face loses color even as he tries to cling to his own anger and justifications. The only way he’ll listen is through intimidation and fear, there’s no reasoning that will get through to him. Nor is there ever going to be a time when he admits he was wrong or believes it.       

            I see it the moment he senses he’s about to be caged in and I’ll have the upper hand. Now were two predators gearing up for battle. His eyes narrow in and his shoulders bunch up and his footing changes. I’ve never seen my father fight, I don’t know if he has it in him or not I’m about to find out.

            “Are you going to hit your own father? Your boss? That’s an easy way to lose that public support you so proudly claim.” He looks smug with his fist raised and ready like he wants me to hit him.

            “You can say what you want. Aria will say what she wants. We’ll see who everyone believes shall we?” I see it coming the second he makes the choice to make the first real move. He doesn’t get cornered, he’s never in a vulnerable position or let himself fall into a situation that’s out of his own control. All three are happening now, he’s never been more out of his element.  

            His right fist comes flying at my face straight on and sloppy. I don’t bother jerking my head out of the way instead I slap my hand over his fist before he can make contact with my face. I squeeze hard and smile as he frowns, his cold eyes growing wide with fear. He’s a coward that’s remained powerful from others' fear, it’s only right he gets knocked out off his throne using the same methods.

            He grunts as he swings his other fist out while tugging on the one I have locked in place. I squeeze harder and twist his fist and his whole arm letting his punch make contact with my left side. I think it hurts him more than me. I absorb the pressure like nothing, maybe from adrenaline or maybe that’s just how weak he is, regardless it’s nothing I can’t handle.

            The voices are increasing outside and I know I’m running out of time with too much rage left and not enough of a lesson taught.

            Keeping my eyes locked on his I twist hard and shove his wrist into the corner of the metal bar next to us. There’s a sick sound that can only be snapping bones as he lets out a weak squeak and more color drains from his face.

            Is he worried yet? Can he finally see me? Does he see how alike we are, how everything he’s used against me I’ve learned and mastered? That I’ll go to any lengths just like him, but I’m stronger, more resilient and most importantly, what I’m fighting for is bigger than anything he’s ever known.

            “I’m going to kill you.” He growls out through clenched teeth and a world of pain. I let go of his wrist letting it dangle uselessly as he whines some more.

            “Are you?” I don’t know what he’s thinking but he brings his left arm up trying to punch me once more while simultaneously kicking out with his right foot. He looks like a fool and I hope he feels like one too as I easily dodge his punch and use my knee to block his kick while using all the force and rage I have to pummel my fist into his stomach.

            All the air he has locked in his lungs rushes out of him in a warm breath that hits me in the face. Tears fill his eyes as he attempts to blink them away and stay standing. He wants to see clearly for what comes next, still thinking he stands a chance. He doesn’t.

            “I don’t think you will.” Sweeping my foot out I take him out at his knees. He buckles over, his hands going out in front of him as he tries to catch himself, only to remember his hand is now broken and useless.

            My ears are peeled open for his scream as both hands make an impact with the floor his broken one making another crunching sound that twists my own gut. He may never use it again. f*****g good, the motherfucker can never grope another woman, at least with one less hand.          

            “Don’t ever go near Aria again you hear me.” I bend over and growl in his ear. “I know exactly who you are and who you’re in bed with. Make any moves against me, even make a threat against me or anyone I even see as an acquaintance, and I’ll kill you myself.”

            He’s panting in pain on the floor, curled up like a ball, from what I gather from Friday night, this should be similar to the way he looked after Aria showed him her own strength. She did a good job on her own but this time he’ll have the pain to remind him, just in case he forgets.

            His office door smashes open signaling the end to my fun. I’m slow to shift my sights, it’s been a long time coming and more satisfying than I ever thought it would be to see my father curled in a ball moaning. Pivoting on my heels I look behind me, expecting to see a rush of people but only Jaxson and Leo stand there with the door closed once more as they look on in shock and appreciation.

            “Did it feel as good as I’ve always imagined?” Jaxson asks curiously, his eyes glued to our pathetic father. He tries to look up and glare, our way but the pain must be too much to bare as he cradles his broken wrist to his swollen belly and sore knees.

            “Better.” For the first time in days, a smile comes naturally with no effort as the beast inside of me has settled some for the time being. “Where’s security?”

            Leo shakes his head and Jaxson grins. “They’re escorting everyone out of the office for the day. I told them Dad has the flu and we don’t want it to spread to anyone else. We’d rather take a day of productivity than weeks of a string of call in’s.” Not a half-bad excuse for a spur-of-the-moment decision, I’ll give him that. Now we can get him some medical help without having more eyes and an excuse that goes along with what he already came up with.

            “Perfect.” I grin and Daddy dearest glares and then winces. Today was a rough win, a necessary one. I don’t know if I would even call it a win, it came at the expense of Aria, but it was a bold move. Now, our timer just grew shorter. We need to get our cards neatly lined up with no room for mistakes or loopholes now more than ever. It’s only going to be an intense ride from here on out.