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?"

a smirk tugging at my lips. "Get to my penthouse. Now. It's time for your weekly

because of me. I'd been using her like a fucking whore-because, for now, she was one. My personal freebie, since

close to pity. "They're together. Evelyn's pregnant. It's

grip on the

my penthouse now, or I

Silence.

Dead. Heavy.

hear her heartbeat pick up,

be there in ten

she hung up. I leaned back in my

everyone. The sight of

I'd learned in

meant

Didn't fucking matter.

time, I had to mean

had a

To ruin my family.

to destroy Jacob

***

Jacob

crossed the threshold, unease curled around my spine. This was her hour. The time

But now?

Silence.

my brows as I shut the door behind me. My

was unlikely, but the only possibility left. I strode toward it, my pulse ticking higher. And the second I stepped inside-my chest tightened. A trail of clothes led toward the

My stomach twisted.

intended, edged with something

bags. Scattered across the floor like they'd been ripped straight

My voice rose. "Where are

For a moment-nothing.

Then-

weak, muffled whisper. I turned sharply toward the closet

creaked open. My breath caught. She was there. Curled up in the corner. Pressed so tightly against the wood that it

Tear-streaked cheeks.

Red, swollen eyes.

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 my arms, sinking to the floor with her cradled against my chest. She didn't speak. Didn't explain. Just

Why are you

her body, shaking so violently that could

terrified. More than

was shattered.

like

smoothing a hand over

of her head, her

as she clung to me like

murmured, my throat tight.

you?"

between sobs, fists curling into my shirt. "J-Jacob..."

here."

jagged breath, fresh

to kill

in me froze. The air

That piece of shit.

was capable of anything for his sick amusement. But this? This was too fucking much. This wasn't just about

but I forced it down, forced myself to soften

can't touch you, baby," I murmured, brushing damp strands from her face, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "He was just trying to scare you,

knife, Jacob." Evelyn's voice was barely above

sheer terror. Her wide, tear-filled eyes locked onto mine, searching for reassurance, for

didn't see him..." Her breath hitched, her body trembling. "He looked... different. Strange. And he didn't just say he'd kill me-he said he'd.. Another sob broke

before my

searing pain twisted

me. And do

shattered something inside