Working With Temptation

Chapter 30 - Part 2

Well, it sure has been a long time since I last updated. To be honest I've wanted to stop writing this book but the continuous comments have really motivated me to finish what I started.
So I want to say a big thank you to all those who have commented.
p.s. I changed the tense again - It's in third person. 

Rose continued to stare at Uncle Max in shock. After her parents died she'd had dreams of being killed but in none of her nightmares had her uncle been the one directing a gun at her. He had practically raised her; the only father figure in her life.

"If you're going to be murder me, the least you can do is tell me why?" she demanded. If James was truly listening, which she prayed to God he was, then she had to buy him as much time as possible to get help.

"Do you think I'm a fool? That I don't see what you're trying to do?" he questioned with a snare. "You're trying to stall but it won't work."

"How could you do this Uncle Max? You once said you thought of me as a daughter so what happened?" Rose paused as realisation dawn on her, "It was you! You killed my parents didn't you?" He scowled but lowered his gun.

"I never really spoke to you about my father. He was a hard man, he put work before his family and demanded perfection from you father, David, and I. He would taunt us about who would get to inherit the company; who would be his heir. Even though David was his favourite, I was the eldest so we all assumed it would be me who inherited the company. My mother believed it. David believed it and so did I." His fingers clenched as he drew in a breath.

"However, when the time came, he chose David. Your father said we should share the CEO position, that we could be equals. But I shouldn't have had to share. It was my birthright and he stole it from me. He wormed his way into my father's graces and for that, I will always hate him." He paused as if preparing himself for what he was about to say. "But the last straw was when he stole Arora, from me. For that –"

"My mother?" Rose interpreted in surprise. She hadn't known Uncle Max and her mother had any history together beyond being in-laws.

"Yes, your mother. She was the most beautiful women I ever laid eyes on and I loved her. We were only together for three months but it took no time at all for me to realise that she was the women I wanted to spend my life with. After a stupid argument, we broke up. I had every intention of getting back together with her. I had even bought a ring to propose, but I never got a chance. David, as always your swooped in and took her for himself. Ever since we were children I've had to stand aside and watch as your father stole what belonged to me. I finally had enough. He deserved what he got," he snarled.

"And my mother?" Rose asked angrily, "Did she deserve to die too?"

Uncle Max frowned and shook his head. "No. No, she didn't deserve to die. It was never my intention to harm a hair on her head. It was those stupid idiots that messed up. They panicked when she saw their faces and shot her. I wanted to kill them for that, I still do," he whispered. His face held an expression of sadness. Rose was sure that he at least thought himself in love with her mother. But if he had truly loved her, he wouldn't have murdered the man she loved.

"The men you hired," she continued wanting to find out as much information as possible, "They never gave you up. Why? What did you have over them?" Uncle Max's eyes pierced her own.

"Enough evidence to put away the people they care about. I also agreed to take care of their families financially." Blackmail and money. Is that how he got them to agree to murder her parents in the first place?

"Rose, I want you to know that I don't hate you. In fact, if you were not about to steal my company from me, I would not be doing this. In some ways, I feel as if you're the child your mother and I would have had if it wasn't for David. But I've sacrificed too much to let you take what is rightfully mine." He once again rose his hand and pointed it to her chest. "I've wasted enough time. You've got the explanation you wanted now put on some music and turn the volume to the maximum."

"Why?" she questioned, feeling her fear begin to rise. She was running out of time and she didn't even know if help was on the way.

"Just do it!" She did as he demanded and made sure to keep him in her vision at all times. She turned to face him directly and he motioned for her to sit back down.

"They'll work out it!" she cried. "The timing won't be considered a coincidence. There is no way you'll get away with this!"

"Keep your voice down," he commanded in a harsh whisper. He placed his finger on the trigger. "And there won't be anything for them to work out considering you're about to commit suicide."

Rose's eyes widened in horror. "What are you talking about? No one will believe that."

"Oh really. Your heartbreak from your affair with James, the constant negative media and the stress of knowing you'll have to take over the company. It all just got too much for you. You couldn't cope and saw this as your only way out."

She shook her head in dismay. Who was this man before her? "Please! Please don't do this. Think about Aunt Tanya and the children. We're family," she pleaded.

"It's partly for them that I am doing this. I'm securing their future so what happened to me will not happen to them." Looking into his eyes, Rose knew that his mind was set and that nothing she said would change it.

Uncle Max moved close to her and she shut her eyes to the world. She felt the tip of the gun on her chest, directed at her heart and whispered, "I love you, James."