‘I'm talking about the penthouse,' I snarl. ‘The use of your private jet. The cars when we got to the UK. I'm talking about the car that just took me to the police station. Why are you helping us? This can't just be about Daisy.'
Sauvage steeples his hands on his desk. 'These things, they are trifles,' he says, stifling a yawn. 'If you do not want them, do not accept them. They are not gifts. They are not even for you.'
'What is it with Daisy?' I snarl. 'What do you want from her? It’s not just Envy. So, what?'
He sits back in his chair, steepling his fingers.
'Do you fear that I shall take her from you?' he asks, a small smile playing on his lips.
'Of course not,' I bluster. 'There's no fucking way she'd be interested in you.'
His grin widens. 'Are you so sure, boy? I think that perhaps you are doubtful. Perhaps you believe I will steal her away from you.’
'No way,' I say, trying to make sure that I look certain.
His scoff is telling; he doesn't believe me.
Frustrated, I turn away and stalk to the door.
'I enjoy having ma petite fleur here,' he says.
'You're nothing to her. She's nothing to you. You're not her father or her boyfriend or anything to her.'
'I disagree,' he says. 'She is…brilliant. Her mind is…'
He shrugs, not telling me anything more, and waves his hand. 'I am a busy man. Do not bother me again today. It is time to grow up and put away these childish things.'
Seething, I leave the room and stalk down the hallway. Damn that French mobster asshole. There's no fucking way he's just been playing with me. As I go upstairs to the penthouse, my phone starts to ring. I look down and I see that it's my brother. I'm not surprised, given what's happened over the past twenty-four hours, but at the same time I am. He never calls me.
I answer the phone.
'Andy?'
'Jack.' He doesn't say anything for a couple of seconds.
'How are you?' I ask carefully. 'It's been a while.'
'Yeah,' he says. 'Been really busy with Harvard. You know how it is? Well—' he chuckles. 'I suppose you don't.'
'I suppose I don't,' I echo, wondering where this is going. 'I'm guessing you're going to be here soon?'
'Yeah, I'll be on my way soon. I've got some time off school, and it would be good to meet, go over a few things. I’ll let you know when.'
'Yeah,' I say. 'I'll come to the house. Message me.’
'Great. Later, bro.’
The call drops, and I stare at the phone as the elevator opens. It's been a while since I heard my brother this chipper. I mean, neither of us was that close to Pop, but if one ofus was closer to him, then it would have been him. Dad thought the sun shined out of his ass.
His tone was authoritative. Like the head of the family. The thought has me frowning. Mav mentioned we should take a look in my father’s office, and I think he was right. We should do it ASAP.
I go into the penthouse and find Mav and Blake sitting on the couch eating waffles.
'What's up?' Mav asks. 'How did your time with the detective go?’
I wave a hand.
'I'll tell you about it later. I think we need to go to my father's house and take a look in his office now. Andy's coming down. He'll be there soon. We should get there first.'
