Wise choice, since I don’t bluff.
I listen, but don’t speak.
“Hello.”
“Ingrid, it’s your father.” His voice tight, his eyes chained to mine. “Listen. I called to tell you Wilson is no longer your concern. Do as you wish where he is involved.”
“Okay?” Her voice pitches higher, confused.
“We’ll talk more later.” Gerald grinds out, the words stiff. “But I mean this. Wilson is no longer your problem.”
“Everything, okay?” she presses, suspicion clear in her tone.
“Yes. Call me later. I’ll explain then.”
There’s a pause, a muffled yawn as her brain tries to play catch-up. “I’ll call. Promise. Probably later since I have classes all day tomorrow.”
“That’s fine. Goodbye.” He ends the call abruptly, sulking like a spoiled child forced to apologize.
I hate that he made her promise to call him. But fine—let her call. Once I’m done with these bastards, my next stop will be New York, straight to her.
First, I need to make sure these two understand I’m serious. I’ll be watching. If I catch wind they didn’t heed my warning, they’ll face the full fury of my wrath.
“See? That wasn’t so hard.” I shift my eyes to the second piece of shite and grin. “Now let’s discuss what I want from you.”
“I can’t wait,” Warren snaps, his face growing red.
“Summon Wilson home immediately. He’s to return to Hermosa Islas.” To punctuate my point, I slam my fist on the table, making it jump. “He can finish his studies here or at one of the other overpriced institutions the world offers, but he will not return to Princeton.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Warren dares to question me. “He’s a year away from graduating. If he transfers, he’ll?—”
“Don’t care.” I push myself to my feet, voice final. “He had better be packing his bags by the time I land in New York. It’s a seven-hour flight, give or take.”
A silent glance passes between them, telling me neither of them expected me to make that move. Which is why I’m making it.
To drive the point home, I add the finishing blow. “It would pain me to have to inform the university about Warren’s academic dishonesty. News like that doesn’t end well and could very well jeopardize his future elsewhere.”
“Fine. But this is not over.” Warren slumps back in his chair, arms crossing over his protruding belly. “Two can play this game, Falcon.”
His fury doesn’t rattle me. It fuels me. Feeds me. The madder he gets, the bigger I smile.
“Oh, I do hope so.” I rub my hands together, enjoying this new game he’s thrown us in. “I can hardly wait. And when it is over, I’ll be more than happy to declare victory. Stand on the sidelines as I watch them drag both your arses off to the gallows.”
Chapter 4
Ingrid
Itossed and turned all night. Barely sleeping after being jolted awake by my father’s five-thirty morning phone call. For the last two months, he’s nagged me about Wilson, repeating the same threat: play along, or face life on my own. No support. No safety net. Just a bleak future waiting to swallow me whole.
So, for him to suddenly claim I no longer have to kiss Wilson’s arse puts a sour taste in my mouth. Why? What’s changed?
Stranger still was the call I got from Wilson just as I was finishing lunch. He was pissed and requested to come over right away. I reminded him I have classes all afternoon and suggested meeting him after my last one around four. That didn’t go over well. He demanded, pushed, tried to make it sound urgent, wanting me to cast aside my responsibilities for him. When I refused, he hung up. Only to send me a message moments later—angry words shouted in all-caps.
WILSON:
FINE. DON’T BE LATE.
I should’ve just met with him. All afternoon I’ve been useless, unable to focus. My professors’ words were no more than background noise, differential equations resembled scribbles, and chemical compounds blurred into meaningless patterns.
