Metaltown Read Online Free Page B

space smaller than her bathroom while he built the foundation of their empire. She often imagined him alone, tinkering with various forms of ammunition in his tiny shop while the people who would one day make him rich squabbled outside on the streets.
    Because of his diligence, her family had a legacy, one that thrived on a bloody violence they would never see up close. Their various factories manufactured military supplies—bombs, guns, all grades of weapons and ammunition. A necessary business, according to her father. The survival of the Federation depended on it.
    â€œMiss Hampton,” piped Darcy. “Perhaps we should study outside today? It’s quite lovely.”
    Lena chewed the inside of her cheek, unable to turn around and face her father for fear of the disappointment in his eyes. She didn’t know why her mouth ran away with her sometimes.
    But Josef had begun to laugh, a deep, honest sound of amusement. Lena faced him then, consciously holding back a smile.
    â€œSuch a sweet girl,” he said, dark eyes gleaming. “Darcy, perhaps you should be teaching Lena a trade of some kind. Welding perhaps. Or sewing. There are always open positions in the kitchen.”
    Lena acknowledged the chill in the room and forced her chin to stay level.
    â€œI meant no disrespect, Father.”
    He smiled at her, and approached slowly, stopping a few feet away.
    â€œI know,” he said. “It’s in your nature to question. I sometimes wonder, if you had a mother…” He trailed off, eyes focusing on the river outside.
    Lena felt herself drawn forward, wanting to hear more. He rarely spoke of her mother apart from when he was acknowledging Lena’s faults. She felt an emptiness creep into her chest, a feeling of loss. But that was ridiculous, of course. The only mother she’d ever known had been her nanny, and even if as a child Lena had wished for more, the woman was no more bound to the Hamptons than the rest of the staff.
    â€œWhat was she like?” Lena found herself asking.
    â€œShe was beautiful. Like you.” If he’d meant it to be a compliment, she couldn’t help feeling disappointed, like there was little else to her.
    â€œI was thinking I could work,” Lena said. “Perhaps not in the kitchen, but somewhere else. Surely there’s something I can do for the factory? Otto can barely keep up the books for his division—”
    â€œYour brother is still learning,” responded Josef. “He’s only been manager for a year. He’ll figure out what needs to be done.”
    â€œHe’ll run it into the ground,” Lena said under her breath. She’d heard her brother just last week telling the foreman to do whatever he wanted, just as long as the division’s output increased. If she had to guess, she’d say he hadn’t spent more than an hour in his factory in the past month. If her father knew Otto was drinking his days away at the Boat House, she doubted he’d have such confidence in his tone.
    â€œBut since you’re so eager, there is something you can do,” said Josef, either not hearing Lena or ignoring her. “We’ll have guests this afternoon. Clients, the kind with deep pockets. I’m sure you recognize the importance of fostering such relationships.”
    â€œYes, Father,” said Lena, sparking with hope.
    â€œClever girl,” he said. “You’ll sing for us, I hope. Let them see the Hamptons’ softer side.”
    Lena’s shoulders fell. He didn’t want her to sit in on the meeting, to be a part of negotiations. Of course he didn’t. Otto was called in for wining and dining, and she, just a year his junior, would be the entertainment.
    Her father faced her, waiting for her gaze to rise and meet his. When it did, he nodded once, and left the room.
    *   *   *
    Lena climbed the stairs to the third story, the heels of her shoes clicking