Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

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Jeremy took a deep breath, his fists clenched at his sides as he glared at his eldest brother. His mind was still trying to wrap itself around the scene he had walked into just a few minutes ago, the scene that had finally taken the last shred of doubt over who Jake truly was.

"How the hell can you be standing here, acting like nothing happened, after the stunt you pulled last night?" Jeremy said, his tone thick with disbelief and anger.

Jake smirked, completely unfazed by his brother's outrage. He strode over to the big chair, the one their father had sat in for the last two decades-and plopped himself down, leisurely swiveling the chair from left to right as his cold eyes shifted between his three younger brothers.

He hated them. Every last one of them.

They had always been such a nuisance, always getting in his way. He had planned it down to every last detail, but just like always, they managed to screw it up. He had always wanted to fuck on that desk, as long as he could remember, to mark his territory in the most primeval of ways. Instead, they ruined everything at literally the last minute.

Why couldn't they just leave him the fuck alone-just like their know-it-all Jaden had?

The less of them around, the easier it'll be to get rid of the rest.

James took a step forward, his voice tight with frustration. "Mother couldn't sleep all night. She's been calling you, we've been calling you, and you're just ignoring us? What the fuck is going on, Jake?"

Jake let out a very long, exaggerated sigh, as if his brothers were some fatally uncomfortable burden he had to endure. The more they stood in front of him, the more his irritation weighed upon him.

"I am the eldest son of this family," he said coolly, dark eyes flashing with barely controlled anger. "And my wish is your command."

Jeremy snorted in bitter amusement, his head shaking from side to side.

He had, over the years, nursed the idea that Jake was reasonable. That maybe just maybe-his brother was a little special as their father had portrayed him to be.

But now?

Now he did see Jake for what he was.

"Our command?" Jeremy repeated in disgust. "You seriously mean to tell us that we don't have the right to see our own father?"

Jake leaned forward, propping his elbows against the giant desk, an awry smile playing upon his lips.

"The next time you see him will be the day he dies," he said with ultimate coldness in his tone. And before you leave, tell Mother to stop calling me. I don't have time for her nonsense." The room plunged into silence.

For a short second, nobody moved.

It was then that something inside John snapped, and he felt a surge of adrenaline run through his veins.

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His fists clenched by his sides as he took one step closer to Jake, His jaw clenched tightly enough to ache.

"Are you freaking kidding me right now?" His voice was low and dangerous at the same time. "After everything I've done for you, after all my loyalty, this is how you treat me? Treat us?" Jake didn't even bat an eye. "This is a primogeniture family, which means you have no power here. Your loyalty means nothing to me."

John was breathing in short hard gasps. All of his life he had followed behind Jake, had defended him, had been his right-hand man, taking his every order and never questioning it. Was this the payoff for his loyalty?

Jake tilted his head slightly, as if enjoying the way his words had shattered the last of John's World. Then, with a dismissive wave of his hand, he continued.

"Speaking of which, I wanted to have a word with you about that little drama at the hospital last night," he slowly said. "Because of you, people are now snaking their noses into my business. Your idiocy cost me a couple million bucks." He paused for a second, letting the weight of his words sink in before delivering the final blow. "So, effective immediately, you're suspended for six months."

The room exploded.

"You can't be serious!" James and Jeremy chorused, their tones dripping with disbelief.

Jake's smirk widened, his expression darkening. "You two ought to watch your step, too. I'm not as nice as you think I am."

John stood there a long moment, his breathing hard, his hands shaking with barely restrained rage.

Without another word, he spun on his heel and walked out.