“I have.” He smiled, and I wanted to punch it off his face. He was despicable, and just staring at him made my gut clench in irritation. “And I decided that you’re going to get me a position further up, preferably with Mr. Elwood.”
I snorted. “I can’t do that, Kalinski. I’m another employee, like everyone else.”
“I don’t believe you.” He smiled in such a smarmy way that it made my skin prickle. “You’refuckingMr. Elwood. Tell him you want me to work with you. Pretend I’m your friend. Do it, or I will make both your lives hell.”
I shoved forward, and he took a few steps back as I reared closer to him. Grabbing his tie in my fist, I dragged him nearer until his face was close to mine. “Don’t you ever fucking threaten me or Vane like that. Do you hear me?”
“Do it, then.” While he sounded confident, I didn’t miss the way his eyes widened slightly and fear flashed in them.
My phone buzzed, and with a sigh I let him go and took it out of my pocket.
What the hellare you doing?
I typedback a quick reply to Vane and was startled when the sound of a text beeped on the other side of the door, and then a knock echoed through the room. We both froze. I pushed Kalinski away and he nearly tripped over. Glaring, I turned to unlock and then yank open the door, and stilled at the sight of Vane on the other side.
“Mr. Elwood, what are you—”
“I need you to come with me. Now. A call was put through to Jean-Paul, and it was your mother. Your father had a heart attack, and they’re taking him to Walnut Creek. I told her we’d meet them there.”
A mixture of fear and shock trickled through me and my heart slammed against my ribs. “We….”
“Come on, I’ll take you in the car.” I didn’t miss the glare he sent over my shoulder at Kalinski before he curled his fingers around my elbow and guided me out of the bathroom toward the front exit. He had my coat draped over his arm, and he stopped to help me slip it on. His words bounced around in my head.
Dad. Heart attack. Walnut Creek.
“Oh God.” I didn’t care that we were receiving curious looks from the people we walked past. I could barely keep myself upright, and every time I nearly collapsed, Vane was there to hold me. “Is he okay?”
“She doesn’t know,” Vane said, giving me a sad look. “That’s why we’re meeting them there.”
“Oh.”
Dad had always been a healthy man. His job kept him fit, so there hadn’t been any need to worry about the normal crap that middle-aged men got from their doctors about high blood pressure and cholesterol from being out of shape. He was healthier than anyone I knew. I didn’t realize we’d made it to the car until Vane helped me sit inside. I thought about Dad and his smile and what would happen if hewasn’taround, and my stomach heaved.
Vane gripped my shoulder and squeezed, and I jumped, glancing at him in shock. I hadn’t noticed him get into the driver’s seat. “Are you going to be sick?”
“No.” I shook my head furiously. “No, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” His brows dove in concern, and I shook my head again, or maybe I hadn’t stopped doing it from when I answered his last question. My chest clenched and I let my head fall back against the seat.
“I’m fine. Fuck.”
He slid his hand down my arm and linked his fingers with mine. I closed my eyes, and the car started with a smooth grumble before we moved. Sitting in silence with him was strange, but not uncomfortable, and his hold on me was a reassuring pressure I needed right now.
“How much did you hear with Kalinski? You saw me go in there, didn’t you?” I was almost afraid to ask, but it also took my mind off my dad, who could possibly be dying. “I wasn’t doing anything with him. I’m not interested in him.” My heart hammered, but I had trouble focusing on another worry.
“I believe you. We shouldn’t talk about this right now.”
My eyes shot open and I looked at him. His focus was on the road and the midmorning traffic that packed the streets of New Gothenburg. He looked handsome today, his hair brushed back and his jaw freshly shaven. It’d been nice to watch him get ready for a day at work this morning.
“We should.”
He glanced at me and pursed his lips, and I didn’t know if he was mad at me or not. “Answer one simple question for me.”
“Yes, Daddy,” I whispered, comforted by the way the word slipped out of my mouth.
“How long has he been blackmailing you, Jaxson?”
I licked at my dry lips and watched a few Harleys zip by us.Fuck, did Jean-Paul tell him something, or was I too loud in the bathroom?The riders had on leather jackets with patches that said Kings of Men MC on the back. New Gothenburg had a few biker clubs, and they were a menace to Midberry and Vane, so I wasn’t surprised when Vane curled his lip at the sight of them.
