I pushed to my feet as I saw the time on the wall. It was almost five, and I’d been there an hour. Looking down at him, I said. “I don’t know what you wantme to say. I’m not sure I want to be part of any legacy. As you said, I don’t know you, we’re strangers.”
My father stood, facing me over his desk. “But it doesn’t have to be that way.”
My brow creased, “You’re saying you think we should get to know each other now, after all these years?”
Dominic flicked off a piece of lint from the sleeve of his suit jacket before looking me in the eye. “Why not. It happens all the time.”
Yes, in a dodgy Netflix movie.
“What about your image. Having a bastard son isn’t going to shoot you up the old polls or whatever the hell they are called.”
I could see he didn’t like me calling myself a bastard as he flinched. My eyes narrowed as he walked around his desk and came towards me. “I’ve thought about that over and over, and I don’t intend to hide you, Nix. I won’t deny who you are. That’s why I confessed everything to my family.”
“So, I’m not a dirty little secret then.”
“No. You’re my son.” As he said that, he placed his hand on my shoulder. We were so similar in build and met each other at the same height, almost like equals. That couldn’t have been further from the truth.
I hated that his words gave me hope. The drama I’d tried to get my head around over the last few weeks had been draining. “No, I’m a mistake, remember?” The truth tasted bitter in my mouth, but felt more realistic.
Lowering his hand, he shook his head. “No. That’s not true. My blood runs in your veins, Phoenix. You’re strong and intelligent, and your past doesn’t define you. It’s what you do with your future that counts. Let me help you, let me make this right.” I should have laughed in his face; his words were like one of those stupid quotes you read on Facebook that were supposed to be inspiring.
My eyes scanned his features. “Why did Luna call you dangerous?” I questioned.
Dominic adjusted his tie and said, “I have no idea. Luna wasn’t well before she ran away. Maybe she saw me as dangerous, but Ineverthreatened her.”
I raised my eyebrows, “So, you’re not bent like the other politicians?”
A ghost of a smile passed his lips. “I run legitimate businesses, Phoenix. Yes, I don’t always follow the rules, but what powerful man does? If you don’t take risks, you don’t get results. Fact.”
From what I had heard around the rumour-mill, I knew this man and his office didn’t always play by the rules, but I had a feeling he wasn’t being entirely honest with me at that point, but did I care? Not really, he could have a sex tape out there, and it would have nothing to do with me.
I decided that no harm could come from getting to know him more, and if I didn’t like it, I would walk away. I had Ma, my brothers, including Alex, and then there was Harper. I didn’t need anyone else, really. Not even Storm.
The next hour was surreal. We both moved onto the sofas at the other side of the office, settling against the leather and discussing the past, talking mostly about football.
Dominic told me to call him Nic, which I hesitantly did. The alcohol had calmed me down, and like that time at the party when I first met the man in person, Ilikedhim.
Did Ilikewhat he’d done? Fuck no. And could everything be fixed in one conversation? Again, that would be anotherbig fat no, but over time… maybe?
Dominic also appeared genuinely interested in me. I told him all about my life with my brothers and Ma, and he seemed to listen. Not that active listening bullshit, which Micha did, my father was all ears.
We carried on talking well into the evening to the point where I’d had too much alcohol to drive legally. Although that was a joke, considering I didn’t even have a licence. Oops, alcoholdoesloosen the tongue.
Even the sandwiches, my father had ordered his chef to arrange, had not soaked up the booze. I also couldn’t find my cell to message Reed about the Jeep. I hadsuggested an Uber, but my father had invited me to use one of the guestrooms so we could talk again in the morning. I was laced and didn’t put up much of a fight.
I didn’t tell him that I would give it a chance and see where things went. My father said that he would give me time to process everything and wouldn’t come on too strong. He also gave me his card with his private number.
Later that night, as I lay on top of the perfectly made floral bed in one of the mayor’s fancy bedrooms, Harper’s face was all I saw as I fell asleep, fully dressed, and totally bewildered.
*****
In the morning, I felt as groggy as hell. The calming influence of the booze had worn off, and I knew I needed to get the Jeep back to Reed. Boy, he’d be pissed.
As I used the ensuite bathroom, I recalled the previous night and what my father had told me. The news about Storm was hazy at best, but I remembered the part about her being engaged. How could I forget that?
After taking a piss and splashing my face with water, I found my car keys and made my way out onto the landing. The house was a maze of corridors, and I knew it would be rude to leave without saying goodbye, but I was desperate to get to Harper. She would want to know where I’d been and would start to put two and two together, and come up with nine! If she accused me of going to Courtney, I’d spank her insecure ass raw.
As I was making my way down the spiral staircase, I heard a woman talking on the phone. It was distorted due to the echo in the marbled lobby.
