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“I don’t doubt it.”
    “But do you know the difference between you and me?”
    “There’s many.”
    “Not as many as you would think,” he said. “However, one is most important.”
    I stilled as he leaned close, patting my shoulder.
    “Son, when I confronted my father, I was strong enough to win.”
     

 

     
     
     
     
    Mom set the baby in my arms. He didn’t look like a book. Why did she call him Read?
    “This is your new brother,” Dad said.
    I shoved at Max as he pinched me. “I don’t need another brother.”
    “Family is important, Nicholas.” Dad patted my shoulder. “One day, you’ll be in charge of your brothers. They’ll look up to you, and you’ll have to do what’s best for them.”
    “I don’t want a brother. Why can’t I have a sister?”
    “Maybe in a few years.” Mom shushed the baby when he started to fuss. Max pawed at her too, but Dad pushed him away. “Let’s enjoy your new brother for now. He looks so like you.”
    Not really. He was just a wrinkly little thing—all chunky and pasty.
    “I guess. Don’t know why people want babies anyway.”
    Dad frowned. “Babies are very important, son. You’ll need to have a baby one day.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you’re a Bennett, and your sons will carry on the family name.”
    “Make Max do it.”
    Dad chuckled. “You’re the eldest, Nicholas. It’s up to you. But you’ll understand when you’re older. Trust me.”
    If he said so.
     
    My father used Sarah Atwood to control me.
    He didn’t realize the depth of my feelings for her, but he had yet to forgive my initial protest against breeding the girl, and the takeover confirmed my hesitance to commit the apparent crime.
    My taking of Sarah was no longer a sin, but it would damn us just the same. My father wasn’t threatened by my plans to succeed him. He rose to the challenge.
    And he chose to punish Sarah instead of me.
    She had warmed with pleasure then paled with quiet fear. I embraced her to get close and coil a fist in her hair. She surrendered to my kiss only so I could muffle her cries.
    I whispered for her to trust me while clipping a leash around her delicate neck.
    The collar choked her, but she endured the humiliation. Her resilience amazed me, but she couldn’t fight every monster that awaited her. She depended on me.
    I promised her safety only to deliver her to my father’s den.
    My father awaited us behind his desk, requesting Max and Reed’s presence as well. Had the estate not swarmed with caterers and waiters, landscapers and party planners in preparation for our annual barbecue, I would have feared for Sarah’s safety. I loathed how easily I could imagine my father’s chosen tortures, but I was wrong to assume he’d physically hurt her. I underestimated his cruelty. He’d break her without a single touch.
    And he’d make me stand in silence as he did it.
    He didn’t end his phone call, but he motioned for me to contain her. Max seized her leash, and Reed closed the door.
    At least she wore clothes this time, though the sweet, sunshine yellow sundress bound her more effectively than any length of chain. I didn’t trust her to stay quiet, and my heart ached as she fought against my hold over her body and hand muffling her protests.
    Whatever my father planned amused him beyond even the excitement he took from beating tears from the girl. He continued his conversation and admired the dress he picked for Sarah. His eyes lingered on her curves.
    Christ, I presented her to him.
    And then I understood why.
    “I’ll come down this weekend, Bethany. We’ll take a trip to the coast. You love the ocean so much.”
    He spoke to his new wife, to Sarah’s mother, and no good would come from the conversation. Sarah tensed, sparking like metal striking metal. Despite my hold on her, Max’s released flogger, and Reed blocking the door, Sarah didn’t fear a punishment for running.
    Not when she fought to rush toward my father.
    “I miss you too,