My Merciless Don - Bonus Prologue - Faye Pierce

My Merciless Don – Bonus Prologue

Audry

The grand dining room at the Martin estate never failed to make me feel very small. It was so opulently appointed. Everything was antique or expensive, or antique and expensive. The artwork on the walls – mostly stolen pieces – were priceless. I lived in fear of knocking over a vase, and have it turn out to have belonged to the Romanovs.

I tended to avoid the dining room when I could, but tonight we had been summoned – both my brother Benjamin and I – to dine with my stepfather, James, who sat at the head of the table. I sat to my father’s right while Benjamin sat to his left.

We ate in relative silence not really being a chatty type of family, and it wasn’t until the digestive was said before us that my father spoke. “Audrey? Benjamin?”

“Yes, dad,” Benjamin said with emphasis. He always had to rub it in that James was his real dad and I was just some stray they picked up. He gave me a smug look just to rub it in some more, and I squeezed my fork hard while visualizing boiling his head in hot water. That vision helped me to show him my teeth in the parody of a smile.

James cleared his throat, in a menacing reminder that he had the floor. We both turned to him at once.

“As you both know, our family’s legacy is built on skill, cunning, and the ability to outsmart anyone. It’s time to see who among you is truly worthy of carrying on that legacy.”

I tensed hearing those words. The possibility of being thrown out of this family always hung over my head like the sword of Damocles. I couldn’t help thinking, this is it. This is when they tell me to go. After all, I wasn’t a child anymore, they didn’t have to feed me or house me. I just hope that James recognized the many ways that I put myself out to be useful to him.

He turned to me, with what passed for a soft smile on his face. “Audrey, Benji, I am challenging you to steal one billion dollars within the next year. Whoever succeeds will have access to their share of my inheritance and will prove themselves worthy of the Martin name, becoming my only legitimate heir.”

My heart sank with fear, but I ruthlessly stamped it out, replacing that emotion with determination. He was giving me a chance to prove myself and come hell or high water, I would do so.

Benjamin was right on time with the negativity. “You think you can actually do it, Audrey?” He sneered. “You’ve always been second best. You’ll never make it.”

My lips twisted as anger surged through me. “I haven’t seen you make it either.” I shot back, very proud that my voice did not tremble at all.

Benjamin cackled. “I’ll meet you at the finish line, if you ever manage to reach it,” he said dismissively.

In spite of the facade I put on, his words hurt. He was the only sibling I knew, and yet he kept putting me down. I’d watched enough Supernatural to know that that wasn’t the sibling relationship I wanted.

James finished his digestif without uttering another word. He stood up and left the table, which was the cue for me and Benjamin to do the same. I raced to my room, my mind buzzing with ideas. First thing I did was to get on a video call with my assistant Kylie. She was highly skilled in many arts and if anyone could help me win it was her.

And I was determined to win. I was grateful that James gave me the chance to prove myself – he didn’t have to. I was essentially nobody to him. But he was ready to officially bestow me with his name and his legacy, as long as I proved myself worthy.

There is no way I’m gonna fail this.