My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 225

Tyler

I stepped back into the penthouse.

No-not a penthouse. A fucking shithole. Sure, most people would kill to be here, surrounded by functioning luxuries, calling it a dream. But for me? This was nothing. A joke compared to what I had. What that piece of shit, Jacob, stole from me. And there was only one way to take it all back. I had to take everything from him. And in this world, if there was anything Jacob Adriano cared about more than his own life, it was her.

Evelyn Fernandez.

The one thing I could never have. The one fucking desire that had ruined me. I didn't regret what I did not for a second. One taste of her would've been worth losing everything. But I couldn't have her. And that's why she had to die.

There were two reasons Evelyn had to die.

One-I couldn't have her.

Two-Her death would be Jacob's downfall.

And that was more than fucking enough.

I tossed my knife onto the table and stalked over to the counter, grabbing my bottle of whiskey. I took a long, burning gulp before setting it down with a careless thud.

My sweet Evelyn...

A dark chuckle rumbled in my chest as I dropped into the chair, my gaze drifting toward her picture on the wall. My fingers twitched. That same photo I still fucking jerked off to. Still beautiful. Still untouchable.

"You're going to die," I murmured, my lips curving into a slow, twisted smile. My head tilted, admiring the image, the perfect curve of her lips, her eyes, that body. Mine, mine, mine.

"Isn't it poetic?" I exhaled, the thought unraveling something primal inside me. "You're going to die in my hands... a slow, painful death."

Heat pooled in my gut.

The thought of killing her was turning me on. Jail had done something sick to me. Twisted me into something even worse. And I fucking hated it.

Because this wasn't me. Not entirely.

A part of me-small, buried deep-wanted something else. Something better. Something to fix what I'd ruined.

But no.

I couldn't afford to be that person. This was who I was. It was what everyone had told me from the beginning since childhood. Careless. Entitled. A burden. Trouble. So I played my part.

I had spent my whole life trying to prove them right. And Evelyn? Maybe she was

the last validation I had needed before I could finally fix myself.

But I couldn't have her.

So fuck it.

Let me be the ruin they always said I was.

Let me burn everything in my path.

If I was a burden, I'd be a fucking curse too. Drag everyone through the mud-my brothers, my stepmother, my sick fucking father. After this murder? They'd never be able to show their faces again.

And that was worth it.

Yes. Maybe... one life was worth it.

But she was pregnant.

Something in my chest tightened.

I clenched my jaw. Fuck this.

"Fuck this," Grabbing my phone, I dialed a number-the one person who wouldn't dare say no to me. The line rang twice before she picked up. No excitement in her voice. Just hesitation.

"...Hello?"

my lips. "Get

don't you just stop?" Her voice was tired, drained. She was exhausted because of me. I'd been using her like a fucking whore-because, for now, she was one. My personal freebie, since I had no cash to burn on anyone else. And honestly? She was cheap

her tone edged with something almost close to pity. "They're together.

grip on

to my penthouse now, or I come to yours

Silence.

Dead. Heavy.

fear through the line. Could practically hear her heartbeat pick up,

be there in

leaned back in my

These lines worked on everyone. The sight of a knife

learned in jail-words are your

meant

Didn't fucking matter.

this time... this time,

I had a

To ruin my family.

to destroy Jacob

***

Jacob

unease curled around my spine. This was her hour. The time of

But now?

Silence.

my brows as I shut the door behind

pulse ticking higher. And the second I stepped inside-my chest tightened. A trail

My stomach twisted.

My voice came out sharper than intended, edged with something close to panic as I rushed

were everywhere. Shoes. Designer bags. Scattered across the floor like they'd been ripped straight

voice rose.

For a moment-nothing.

Then-

weak, muffled whisper. I turned sharply toward

My breath caught. She was there. Curled up in the corner. Pressed so tightly against the wood that it looked like she was trying to disappear into

Tear-streaked cheeks.

Red, swollen eyes.

would be an understatement. It didn't just shattered it was fucking ruined, burned and turned into ashes. "Baby—" I was on her in seconds, pulling her into

what happened? Why are

so

terrified.

was shattered. And

like this.

a hand over

head, her face buried

clung to

murmured, my throat tight. "What happened? Who did

you?"

fists curling into my shirt. "J-Jacob..."

"Tyler. Tyler was here."

said—" She sucked in a jagged breath, fresh tears slipping down

going to kill me. And

in me froze.

That piece of shit.

knew Tyler was twisted. I knew he was capable of anything for his sick amusement. But this? This was too fucking much. This wasn't just about scaring Evelyn. This

simmering beneath my skin, but I forced it down, forced myself to soften for

murmured, brushing damp strands from her face, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "He was just

Evelyn's voice was barely above a

Her wide, tear-filled eyes locked onto mine, searching for

he'd.. Another sob broke through her throat. He said he'd tear mny.

before my eyes."

searing pain twisted in my

And do the same

shattered something