Charles’ POV

“The first rule of power is simple: when you want to hurt a man, you don’t strike him,you strike

his blood or something he cherishes”

“Children are leverage. Nothing more, nothing less.”

The words left my lips like scripture, cold and precise, echoing off the mahogany-paneled walls

of my study.

Power was never stolen.

It was taken methodically, deliberately, with precision.

And tonight, I intended to remind my children exactly who held it.

The leather of my chair ...