I shake my head, even though he can’t see me.
“Who are you and what have you done with my father?”
“Where are you now?”
“I’m sorry, Daddy, you shattered my whole existence and you’re inquiring about my location? What about answering my questions?”
“That’s what I’m trying to do, Michaela,” my father says. “I can hear traffic, which suggests you’re outside.”
“I’m outside of the Pompadour Hotel. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you it’s Phoenix’s headquarters.”
“No, you don’t. I was there last month.”
“You weren’t at a conference?” There’s no hiding the bitterness in my tone.
“I was saving the Villiers Grand,” he says.
“I find that hard to believe.”
He lets out a long, suffering breath. “There’s a lot you need to know, but it’s best if this conversation happens when you’re in a more private setting.”
“Daddy, you’re scaring me.”
“It was never my intention. I promised your mother on her deathbed the Villiers Grand would be standing for generations to come. You echoed the promise.”
“I did.” I pause. “I’ll make an effort to get along with Thana.”
God. I’m sure drinking poison would’ve been less painful than speaking those words.
“Don’t worry about her,” Daddy says.
“Did something happen with Thana?”
“Everything I did was to honor my word to your mother.” My father ignores my question. “This was my only way out.”
Since I always welcome any opportunity to avoid talking about my stepmother, I shrug off the change of subject. “What Phoenix revealed is true?”
“When you get back to Rhys’s guesthouse, get in touch via a video chat. I’ll answer all your questions. I promise.”
“Okay.”
“I love you, ladybug. Never forget that.”
“I love you too, Daddy.”
He lets out a small laugh.
“What is it?”
“It’s the two of us against the world again.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you’re going to hate my guts for certain decisions I was forced to make, but not this particular one.”
“Daddy, you’re speaking in a cryptic language.”
“Call me when you get back to the guesthouse.”
