When I woke to hear my phone ringing and it was still dark outside, I knew something was wrong. At first, I’d been a little disoriented wondering where I was, until I went to get out of bed and it wasn’t my bed at all, but the couch at Lan’s. I snatched up my phone from the floor and answered it in a whisper, “Hello?”

“Mr Ravel?”

My brows dipped at the uppity tone. “Yes.”

“I am sorry to call you so early. My name is Andrew Harrell, I’m your father’s executive assistant, and he’s asked me to call you because he’s gravely ill and would like to see you.”

My father was gravely ill?

“Is his voice box ruined?”

Andrew paused long enough I was about to ask him if he was still there, but then he said, “Well, no.”

“So he’s gravely ill and wants to see me, but he can’t call me himself?”

Andrew cleared his throat. “He’s very busy right now.”

I pulled my phone back and then placed it against my ear again. “At five in the morning?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I won’t be able to make it.”

Just as I was about to end the call, Andrew shouted, “Wait, please.”

Sighing, I rubbed a hand over my face, and asked, “What?”

“He has some things of your mother’s and would like to give them to you.”

“Post them.”

“He’ll not pass them along unless he sees you.”

The manipulative bastard.

He knew I would come because whatever he had of Mum’s I would want it out of his hands.

“I won’t be able to arrive—”

“I’ve emailed a ticket to the last email your father had. If you don’t receive it, please notify me. The flight leaves in a few hours. We’ll see you soon, Mr Ravel.”

Controlling prick. Somehow he would have known I’d put most of my money into purchasing a house. Fine. I’d take the arsehole’s money. “Right. See you soon, and, Andrew, it’s just Easton. My father’s Mr Ravel.”

“All right, Easton,” he replied and then hung up.

Standing, I gripped my hair in both fists and screamed silently. Looked like I was heading to Queensland. He moved there a while ago and I’d been glad for it. Now I was running to him because he held something of Mum’s for ransom. He wanted me to show my face, and I would, for her.

“Fucking prick,” I muttered and went to check on Lan and found him sleeping. I couldn’t leave him there alone. Someone had to take over, and Parker would be out of the picture. Then I caught sight of Lan’s phone on the bedside table. I picked it up and went back out into the kitchen. I’d have to be quick to make it to the airport on time. I scrolled through the phone and paused when I came across a name that triggered a memory. Something being mentioned about Dodge being the president.

“Yo,” he answered roughly.

“Um, this is Easton.”

“Lan okay?” he asked, which I found sweet.

“Yes. Sorry to call so early, but I have to head out of town and didn’t want to leave Lan alone. Parker’s not here, and I don’t think he’ll want to come back right now, and I have to somehow pack, find someone to look after my dogs since I know Oliver won’t, he hates them, which I don’t understand how anyone could hate dogs—”

“Easton,” Dodge clipped.

Goddangit, I’d just been rattling off to a club president. He probably ate children for supper and kicked people’s arses for fun. Sweat formed on my forehead and back.

“Sorry,” I squeaked.

He chuckled. Maybe he didn’t want to kill me. “Relax, man. I’ll get someone over there. His name will be Dive and to make sure it’s him, ask him what he showed my woman’s best friend the first time they met.”

“Um, okay.”

“The answer will be his junk.”

“Say what now?” I asked in a whisper.

He snorted out a laugh. “His man jewels. He flopped it on out…. Anyway, I’ll also get someone to care for your dogs. Leave a key at Lan’s to your place. Don’t stress. Just go do what you have to, yeah?”

“You will?”

“You helped Hawks out with Lan. We’ll help you out.”

“Ah, okay.” I nodded, a nice warmth spreading through my chest. “Um, thank you?”

He chuckled again. “All good,” he said and then hung up.

I closed my eyes and opened them slowly. Was I still asleep? I pinched myself. Nope awake, so that call had happened. Shaking my head, I couldn’t help but think how I wanted to be a part of the Hawks club. They were pretty much amazing people.

People who didn’t eat small children and beat others up for fun.

Andrew Harrell met me at the airport with a greeting of hello, and that was all. After I collected a bag, which I’d packed since I didn’t know how long my father’s game would play for, we made our way outside to a limousine. Andrew opened the back door, and after I climbed in, he shut it. He chose to sit up front with the driver instead of with me.

I got the message he sent. His loyalty lay with my father.

The drive took over an hour, and too soon we were turning into a drive that held tall electric gates and a long driveway which led up to an over extravagant triple-storey house. Shaking my head, I snorted. Why in God’s name would he live in something like that when he was the only one in it?

Unless he liked to be lonely. Honestly, that wouldn’t surprise me. All I really knew about Amit Ravel was how he loved to work and how he hated people who were different and didn’t fall into the smart, rich, and stunning category. I’d lost count of the times he’d traded up for a new woman in his life because the recent one either got old or boring.

I hated him.

A lot would say hate was such a strong word when it came to a parent. In my case, it wasn’t. All he ever cared about was himself. If we didn’t fall under what he wanted or saw was right in the world, we didn’t exist to him until we did something that made him proud. Even then his gratitude only lasted for an hour, tops.

The car stopped. I really didn’t want to get out and go inside to see him, but for Mum, I would. No matter what he had of hers, I wanted it away from him.

The door opened, and I slid across the seat and climbed out. I started for the back of the limousine to grab my bag.

“Sir, Mr Geraldstine will collect your bag for you.”

“Actually, how about we leave it in the car. I won’t be staying here anyway.”

Andrew’s nostrils flared in agitation. I didn’t give two hoots what he thought of my actions towards my father. He was probably new and didn’t know him like I did.

“Very well.” He nodded and swept his hand out towards the house. Sighing, I started my way up the path, stairs, and then through the front door, nearly knocking the man over who stood behind it, as if he were about to open it.

“Sorry,” I offered, gripping his shoulders to steady him. I glanced back outside to find Andrew still near the car speaking on the phone.

“My apologies for not being outside to greet you.”

“It’s fine.” I smiled. He didn’t seem convinced. “Really, don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you, sir.” He stepped back and waved me further in.

“Is Zachary still around?” I asked, glancing at all the fine art and overpriced furniture. Zachary had been the family’s butler when I was younger. He’d been such a kind, caring man. One I looked up to more than Amit.

“I’m sorry, sir, but he left a long time ago.”

It wouldn’t surprise me if it was after I’d left. He’d been the only reason I stayed longer after Mum had walked out. I stayed until Zac advised me to get the hell out of dodge before Satan changed me. He’d also hated my father.

“I believe he’s now living in the United States with his daughter’s family.”

Turning, I grinned. “Really? He always said he wanted to get back over to the States. Good to hear he did.”

“Sorry, where are my manners. I’m Mr Luis Vanier. Head butler here at the Ravel Estate.”

Ravel Estate.

Snorting, I rolled my eyes. Luis caught it. I asked, “Does Amit know he’s not a part of Downton Abbey?”

Luis chuckled and then turned it into a cough. “A tickle, sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I believe, sir, your father would know that.”

“Easton. Just Easton please.”

“Of course, and I am just Luis.”

I grinned. “Thanks.”

He nodded. “The master is in the library. Down the hall to the left of the stairs, the last door at the end. I shall bring refreshments in shortly.”

“Got it,” I said, and with a deep breath, I followed Luis’s instructions. When I came to the door, I hesitated for a second thinking if I should knock, but that would be what he would want, and I didn’t want to do anything he wanted.

I groaned inwardly because that thought was stupid since I was there because he wanted it. Right, from then on, I wouldn’t do anything he wanted.

I hoped not anyway.

Opening the door, I strode in to see Amit Ravel sitting in a big leather chair like he was on a throne, not the dunny kind either. His eyes were already on the door, probably having heard my approach since the house was too quiet.

“Easton, son. Good to see you,” he said without a smile.

“Amit.” I nodded. His jaw clenched. He hated that I called him by his name. I didn’t want to associate him with such a caring word like father or dad. After I approached, I sat opposite on the long couch. “You summoned, I came. Where’s Mum’s things?”

He frowned. “Really, son? It’s been years and that’s all you have to say?”

I leaned back and threw my arms out. “What do you want me to say?”

“Did Andrew inform you of my illness?”

“He said you were sick.”

“I have cancer.”

I waited. He said no more so I drummed my fingers onto the couch and waited some more.

“Easton, I have cancer. I could die.”

I narrowed my eyes, leaned forward, and said harshly, “Mum had cancer and did die.” I shook my head and sat back. “I don’t know what you were expecting from me after that announcement. Did you want me to cry? To care? To live in despair that my loving and amazing father who took care of Mum and me could possibly pass from this life? What did you expect?”

“A softer emotion than what you’re showing now at least.”

I scoffed. “Are you serious? You told me I was no longer your son when I told you I was gay, and this was after Mum had passed away. Before that, Mum and I struggled each day with money and hospital visits. When we reached out to you, what did you do?” I waved my hand about. “Don’t answer it. I will. You told us it was none of your concern.” I stood. “Well, guess what, Amit? Your dying, your illness, is none of my concern. Where are my mum’s things because as soon as I get them, I’m leaving.”

A throat cleared. We looked at the door to find a pale Luis standing there. “I-I have refreshments, master.”

Amit waved Luis in. He quickly set a tray of hot tea and small sandwiches on the coffee table between us and left.

Amit stared up at me. “Please sit.”

I sighed. “What do you need from me? You could have just sent whatever it is through the mail. So tell what you need from me so I can leave,” I asked, but didn’t sit.

“You have a sister.”

It was then I sat.

“What?” I whispered.

“She’s five years old and her name is Jewel.”

I swallowed and blinked slowly. I had a sister. “The mother?” I asked.

“My fiancée, Darlene, you’ll meet her at dinner.”

“What does this have anything to do with me staying and Mum’s things?”

He stared. “I would like for you to stay a couple of weeks to get to know your sister.”

What?

“What?” I breathed.

“Stay, get to know Darlene and Jewel while you’re on your break from work.”

My head jerked back a bit. “How do you know I’m on holidays?”

“Andrew told me since he called there looking for you.”

“How did he know I even worked there?”

“I’m not an imbecile, Easton. I know where you work. You are my son still.”

“You told me I was no—”

“Yes, well.” He stood. “A couple of weeks, it’s all I’m asking. For Darlene and Jewel’s sake.”

I shook my head at a loss of what to actually do. “I don’t know.”

“Go to the hotel, since Andrew informed me you won’t be staying here, and freshen up. Come back for dinner and see how things go.”

“If I refuse all of it?”

Another stare. “Then I refuse to give you your mother’s things.”

I snorted. “Figured. I knew you couldn’t have changed that much.” Shaking my head, I stalked towards the door.

“Andrew will contact you with what time dinner will be,” he called. I had an urge to send him the middle finger back; instead, I gave a brief wave and kept on going.

Once in the hotel room, I paced the floor. I felt like a knobhead for even agreeing to come. Mum would have understood if I didn’t.

I laughed to myself; she probably would have told me I was a fool to listen in the first place. Maybe even a small part of me thought since he got ill, he would have grown a heart. He hadn’t. No, that was wrong. He had. It just wasn’t for me.

This Darlene must have made a real impression on him, either that, or she was a pawn in one of his games to climb higher in the social ladder.

I never knew when it came to Amit.

My phone jolted me out of my thoughts and pacing. It couldn’t be dinner time already? I went over to the bed where I’d thrown it and picked it up seeing a number I didn’t recognise.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Hey.” The voice was rough and deep.

“Lan,” I muttered more to myself.

“Yeah. How you doin’?”

“I’m good.”

“You don’t sound it. Your dad okay?”

Sighing, I dropped my chin towards my chest. “Even if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t care. Is that bad?”

“No,” he replied instantly. “Thinking it doesn’t make you a bad person either. I remembered your dad wasn’t good to you and your mum. Don’t feel bad now because he got you there using guilt over him being sick.”

I started pacing again. “He told me it was cancer and do you know what I said?”

“Tell me.”

“I told him I didn’t care because he didn’t give a shit about me or Mum. Especially Mum when she had her cancer and couldn’t beat it. He knew I wouldn’t give two flying fucks about him, so he used another excuse to get me there. He’s got some stuff of Mum’s, didn’t say what, but whatever it is I don’t like it being left in his hands. That’s why I came. It would never be because of him, and now I’m here, he blows a new hole in my life and tells me I have a sister who’s five, and he wants me to meet her.”

“Do you want to?” Lan asked.

“I don’t know, Lan. I do but I know if I agree to stay the weeks he’s asked for, for me to get to know my sister and her mother, his fiancée, then I feel like crap for doing something he wants when throughout his life, all he’s ever done was treat Mum and me like we’re worthless.”

“Think of it this way. If you choose to stay, you’re not doing it for him. You’re doing it for you. It’s because you want to meet your sister, you want to get to know her and hope there could be a future where you could support her in the end, if anything happens to him. Even if nothing does, you could be there for her when he throws her away if she disappoints him in some way, like he did with you.”

“She would need me if that happened.”

“She could.”

“I want to get to know my sister.”

“I could tell you did, East. Don’t think of doing it for him. You’re better than him because you left him, his money, his power behind to seek your own rich future with people you care about.”

“I did.” I nodded. He wasn’t worth worrying over. I would do what I wanted. It didn’t matter he’d asked. I wasn’t staying because of that. It was my choice. “Thank you,” I whispered. It felt amazing to be able to talk to him like I had in the past. He knew just what to say to get me out of any type of funk or situation I couldn’t handle.

“Always here for you. You mind if I call each day to see how things are?”

Gosh darn it all. My heart just melted.

“No,” I muttered. “I’d like that.”

“Good.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“I’m all right, East. Took the pills you left and kept them up.”

“I’m glad. Dive helping out?”

“Yeah, he’s good. They’ve got Gamer stayin’ at your place for the dogs. He’s sleeping in the spare room.”

“Do you know if the dogs were okay with him being there?”

Lan snorted. “Everything seems to love that guy. It’s all good.”

“The Hawks club, they have amazing people in it.”

He grunted. “They do. Not as good as me though.”

I laughed. “Not sure about that yet.”

It sounded like he growled through the phone. “Then I’ll prove that as well. For now, I gotta go. My maid just stopped in to give me food.”

“Do you see a maid outfit, fucker?” I heard being yelled.

Lan chuckled. “Talk soon, East.”

“Looking forward to it.” Which I was. A phone call to Lan each night could possibly keep me from killing my father.

Maybe.

Hopefully.