Controlling Interests: A Step-Brother Romance (The Legacy Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

business was formal, stagnant, and the board didn’t delve too deeply into the Bennett Corporation. What was going on?
    “Nicholas,” my father said. “Can you give us an update, son?”
    The clenching of my gut wasn’t just intuition. Twenty-nine years of fear, apprehension, and the strike of a cane against my back taught me more than respect. I learned my father’s expectations with every bleeding punishment.
    Something was wrong.
    I cleared my throat. “An update on what exactly? Monthly projections? I have some data from the second quarter pending, I might be able to estimate profits—”
    “No, Nicholas. An update on Sarah Atwood.”
    Even her name stuck in his throat like wax. He couldn’t speak of her without tempting whatever vile aspect of his nature heated his blood.
    It heated mine too, but at least I admitted I was dangerous to Sarah.
    I delayed as long as I could. The board waited patiently.
    “Sarah Atwood knows nothing of Josmik Holdings,” I said. They nodded. “We have some time yet before she is awarded her inheritance, and I’m encouraging the stockholders who entered agreements with Mark, Josiah, and Michael Atwood to reconsider their arrangements.” I met my father’s gaze. “I have no doubt we will maintain control of the Bennett Corporation.”
    “Yes, yes, we have full confidence you’ll secure our lost stock.” Bryant leaned over the table, rapping a finger to emphasize his hissed his question. “Have you fucked the girl?”
    “ Excuse me ?”
    “Sarah Atwood.” A portly stockholder spat her name, clanking his spoon on the sides of the coffee saucer as he stirred in milk. Jacob Fisher perpetually sweated, and I waited for the day he’d dab his forehead with a hundred dollar bill. “Have you taken the girl yet?”
    I stilled.
    This wasn’t a stockholder meeting.
    Christ, it was an execution .
    Adrenaline surged into me, tightening my muscles for a fight I hadn’t expected. What did my father know? The bruise on his face faded, but my punch hurt his pride more than his cheek. Was this his retribution?
    My father told the board we kidnapped Sarah Atwood.
    Why the hell would he tell the board ?
    “I’m not sure what you’ve heard…” I met my father’s gaze. He offered me nothing. “Sarah Atwood is a guest of ours.”
    Bryant snorted. “Is she pregnant yet or not?”
    “I—”
    “For Christ’s sake, Nicholas,” Bryant said. “We don’t care how you do it as long as it gets done . Did you create Sarah Atwood’s heir yet?”
    My father didn’t warn me. He didn’t tell me he revealed the secrets.
    He let me walk into a lion’s den and admit to raping the girl we held hostage.
    What the hell was he planning?
    My father shook his head. “Unfortunately, my sons’ first attempt was unsuccessful.”
    “You do it right, Nick?” Jacob snorted. “She ain’t a cat to skin. Only one way to do it.”
    “Did they all try?” Stanley Bisson spoke from the end of the table, pointing a gnarled finger toward my father. “You have two more sons.”
    “They’ve all taken their turn, yes.”
    Stanley approved. My stomach turned.
    “And they…won’t be a problem if they decline to do their family duties?” Bryant asked.
    “Nicholas can be quiet convincing,” my father said. “My sons all prioritize the needs of the family.”
    Prioritize? My father threatened to kill my brothers if they didn’t rape Sarah.
    “Such a pretty girl. Imagine her hair with Reed’s eyes.” Stanley slurped his coffee and earned the agreement of the other stockholders. “Their boy would break a lot of hearts.”
    My father nodded. “And make us quite a bit of money.”
    “They’ve always been good, loyal boys,” Bryant said. “I’d hate to see anything happen to them.”
    Stanley frowned. “They know it’s not worth risking their necks to disobey their father. They’re smart lads.”
    The table chuckled. This was all wrong.
    Not only was my family’s sin exposed beyond the