“He stopped being my son the day he took his first drug.”
“You mean the one prescribed in the hospital. As I seem to recall, you and Mother gave your blessing for his treatment.”
At least I could tell my snarky retort had his attention. Too bad if he was annoyed. I was fisting my hand, pacing the floor of my bedroom while Amelia stood watching me with her eyes wide open.
“He’s a drug addict, Vanessa. Make no mistake about that. Perhaps doing time in prison is exactly what he needs.”
“He needs an intervention. He needs a decent drug rehabilitation program that you can pay for from the interest earned on of your many offshore bank accounts alone.” The defiance in my tone was increasing.
I’d shocked him. Bonus points for me.
Yet what the hell did I expect? That he was going to have a change of heart? Not possible because my father didn’t have one.
Did that mean my pea brain was thinking Christian had one? What was the saying about the devil you knew?
“How dare you insinuate that…” He didn’t bother finishing his sentence. “He’s on his own, Vanessa. I’ll give you a piece of advice. Don’t allow that boy to ruin your life. You’re already doing a damn good job of doing so all on your own.”
My father’s barbs were always the same. He believed my company was trite, a girl’s fantasy and not worthy of anyone’s time. Including his. Usually, his words put me in a very badmood. But in a rare plus I was already in one and my backbone was stronger than normal. “As my mother told me a long time ago, Dad. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. However, in this case, be mindful of the bridges you burn with your words. One day you might regret them.”
For the first time in my life, I hung up on my father. I was finished with being a dutiful daughter, respectful at all times no matter the circumstances. After I tossed my phone onto my bed, I spun around in a circle, groaning as I pumped my fist into the air. “Goddamn that man.”
“That bad, huh?” Amelia asked in her soothing voice, which usually calmed me down.
Not today.
Today was the first day of the rest of my nightmare. One I’d allowed myself to be lured into hook, line, and sinker.
“My father is the most reprehensible man when it comes to family. Why did he bother having children if he was going to toss us aside the moment we didn’t conform to his expectations?”
“It’s very sad, but at some point, your father will see the light.” Before I had a chance to say anything, she waved her hand. “I know. I know. Too little, too late.”
“You’re damn straight. Now, I need to finish packing while I’m still hot or I might chicken out.”
“Oh, come on. Think of this as an adventure.” She giggled when I shot her the bird. “With a hefty buyout plan.”
“Do you think that makes me feel any better? What was that movie starring Demi Moore? Where the happily married couple is stupid enough to try and gamble to win funds only to meeta rich billionaire who eventually offered the wife one million bucks for one night.” Fuck. I was rambling, my words running together. I started slinging my clothes toward one suitcase, the conversation with my father eating at me.
Her sigh was as heavy as my heart felt. “You meanIndecent Proposalwith Robert Redford?”
“That one.” My words were more of a snap the second I slammed something into the case with enough force she jumped. “You know how that turned out.” I snorted as I rolled my eyes.
Then we both looked at what I’d grabbed at the same time.
A crimson lace teddy.
“God. What am I doing?”
She inched closer. “Hey, think of it this way. You’re not married so there are no infidelity issues. Wait. I mean you’re not married yet. I know you will be. To him. Him, the man you’re getting paid five million dollars to sleep with.”
As my body shrank by a few inches, I tilted my head and glared at her. “You’re not helping even a teensy-tiny little bit.”
She grimaced. “Sor-ry.”
I grabbed something from the closet, making certain what I’d selected wasn’t sexy in the least. He really believed I was going to sleep with him… no, fuck him every night. The audacity was… Why was I shivering? “I think I stand by a statement I made months ago. I hate all men.”
She shook her head and grabbed one of my favorite dresses from the closet, neatly folding it when I’d been shoving clothes into the two suitcases, not caring if they wrinkled. Maybe therich asshole would make good on his promise that all expenses were paid. Maybe I’d insist on a Ferrari. Oh, that would be nice. Red in color. I took a few seconds to envision myself behind the wheel of a hot sports car. I’d look damn good.
“You don’t hate men, Vanessa. What you hate is anyone who acts like their shit doesn’t stink. I know. Like your father. Try and think of that when you spend time with the hottest bachelor in all of Miami.”
