We make our way to the penthouse suite. Colt places my luggage just inside the door and takes my bags. Looking up, I see Johnny smiling widely. When I give him a short nod, he winks in return.
At least I know I will be surrounded by friends during this adventure.
Then I turn to see Jessi, whose face shows exactly how she feels.
Contempt.
Disdain.
Disrespect.
This woman doesnotlook happy to see me.At all.I guess she wouldn’t be. Truth be told, I’m not overly excited about her, either.
“Welcome back, Dee,” Sia says while she lunges forward into a hug, followed closely by Anna.
I smile, not knowing what to say.
“It bloody took some convincing, though,” Colt says, taking my hand.
The ringing of a cell phone echoes, and I instantly recognize it as mine. I turned it back on this morning, knowing I would need to contact Daddy. Colt’s still holding my bags, so he rummages around until he finds my cell and hands it to me. I don’t have to look at it to know who it is. The ringtone tells me it’s a call I’m not looking forward to. Not one bit. I can’t stop the frown creasing my forehead as I see Daddy’s picture light up the screen.
“Everything okay?” Colt asks.
With a nod of my head, I sigh. “Just Daddy. I’d better get this,” I say as I walk out the door of the penthouse suite.
I inhale once, steel myself, and answer, “Hi, Daddy.” I try to keep my voice as upbeat as possible, but I know the hellfire about to rain down on my parade will be painful.
“Deliah Louise Norman, you are to come homethis instant.Don’t think I haven’t seen the headlines. How could you embarrass your family like this? And what is Joseph to think?” he states loudly.
I exhale and close my eyes, rubbing my temple. “I’m fine, Daddy, thanks for asking. As for Joseph, he made it crystal clear that he didn’t want me around anymore. So I am pretty sure he’s fine and dandy. Besides, according to him, I’m not good enough for him anyway.”
“Deliah, sweetheart…” His tone changes. “I know what Joseph said to you. I spoke to him earlier today, and with some convincing, I’ve made him see the light. Quit acting like a petulant child and stop gallivanting around with those monstrosities. Please refrain from making headline news and embarrassing us. This isnotgood enough for a lady of your stature.”
“Daddy, although I appreciate everything you do for me, I’m not coming home. Joseph made it crystal clear how little he wanted me. I don’t care how much you paid him to take me back. I’mnotgoing back to him,” I exclaim a little louder than I should have.
The door opens, and Colt comes out to stand by me. He mouths,Are you okay?
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head.
“Deliah, who is going to take care of you when I’m gone? Surely you can’t be naive enough to think the company you’re currently keeping will stick around? You need someone like Joseph. Well-groomed, well-educated. What more could you want in a man? You don’t have to love him. It’s all about status, and he can provide that for you. I don’t even know why we’rediscussing this like it’s an option.Come home. You and Josephwillwork this out. Iwillsee to it.”
I exhale loudly. “Daddy, look… I don’t want to argue with you, but Joseph is not what I want. He’s boring, and so was I. My life has become exciting, and I don’t want to give that up, especially not for Joseph. You might be able to live in a loveless marriage, but I don’t want that for myself,” I explain as Colt looks at me intently.
“So you’re going to throw away your perfect life to run around with some rock star junkies?” His sigh is so loud it almost hurts my ear. “Iwill nothear of it. Youwillcome home right this instant and sort this mess out with Joseph. Do you hear me? Irefuseto let you be a disappointment. Irefuseto deal with this at the country club and all the questions that will be raised. Irefuseto have my daughter disrespect me this way.”
My anger rises, and my pulse quickens. “Look, Daddy, I love you, but I’m not listening this time. My life was far from perfect, and I’ve found someone who makes my life a little brighter and a lot more exciting,” I respond firmly as Colt wraps his arms around my waist. “I’m going on a holiday for a while. I’m traveling the world with Colt and his band, and I’m going to live a little.”
Colt kisses my cheek and rests his forehead on mine.
“No,youwill not, young lady. I forbid it! You can’t travel the world with those drug lords and prostitutes who hang around with them. Deliah, you’re smarter than this. I have given you the best of the best… education, upbringing, social status. Come homeright now,where I can look after you. You need time at the country club with the best help I can arrange.I demand it!”he yells down the line.
This is going nowhere.
“Colt will look after me, Daddy. You have nothing to worry abo—”
Colt takes the phone from me and places it to his ear. I look at him wide-eyed and try to get my cell back from him, but there’s no way. It seems when Colt sets his mind to something, there is little that can change it. My panic must be evident as he pulls the phone away from his ear and places the call on speakerphone.
“Mr. Norman… this is Colter Slade.” I’m impressed by how calm and respectful Colt is being, but why he feels the need to say anything at all confuses me.
