“I’ve been thinking about that. What if we asked Doug to help? I bet he could get you into the prison to see him.”
I stare at her like her brain just dropped out of her skull. “Doug is anaccountant, Mom. How the fuck could he help to get me into a maximum-security prison to see the ex-president of The Bulls?”
She bites on the corner of her mouth in an obvious tell.
I cross my arms and level her with a sharp look. “What haven’t you told me?”
Her features smooth out too fast and I just know she’s going to lie to me. “Nothing, except he’s far better connected than you think. He might have qualified as an accountant, but he co-owns and manages a multimillion-dollar business. You don’t get to do that without rubbing shoulders with powerful men.”
Before I question her on the blatant lie, Doug reappears in the kitchen ending our conversation. Mom hastily hurries out of the house to meet with her friend for their weekly salsa dancing class, conveniently leaving me alone with my stepfather.
“Let’s talk in my office,” he says, and I trail him through the plush mansion to his large home office.
I stand against the wall by the door as he rounds his desk and unlocks the top drawer. Removing a large brown envelope, he dumps it on the desk and straightens up, eyeballing me. “Before I give this to you, I want to make one thing abundantly clear.” I arch a brow, eager to hear his little speech. “This is for Ashley’sprotection.”
“I know,” I deadpan, schooling my features into a neutral line.
“I put a list of locations in with the devices. You plant the cameras in those places only.” He narrows his eyes at me in warning. “My daughter is entitled to her privacy.”
I shoot him an incredulous look. “If that’s the case, why are you asking me to install cameras in the house? And why didn’t you do it when the place was being done up? I would’ve been none the wiser.”
“It wasn’t deemed necessary then.” A muscle pops in his tense jaw as he stares at me.
“And it is now?” My spidey senses are tingling. There is definitely more to this than meets the eye.
“You agreed to help keep Ashley safe. The reasons behind my motivation don’t matter. You are either with me or not. Which is it?”
“No need to get your panties in a bunch, old man. I said I’d help, and I’m a man of my word.”
“No cameras in her bedroom or bathroom, Ares. The same goes for Chad.”
“I wouldn’t dream of such a thing,” I lie.
“I’m trusting you with my daughter. Don’t let me down.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,Dad.”
A tired sigh slips from his lips, and strain is evident on his face as he drops down in his chair. “I know we didn’t exactly get off on the right foot, but I’m trying to make it right. I love your mother, and you’re her world. I thought we’d come to an understanding.”
I claim the seat in front of his desk. “We have. You’ll keep my mother safe, and I’ll do the same for your daughter.”
He nods slowly before sliding the package across the desk to me.
As I reach for it, he slams his hand down on top of mine over the envelope. Drilling me with a dark look, he peers directly into my eyes. “You’re not to touch her.”
I hold his stare as tension bleeds into the air. “Who said I was going to?”
“I see the way you look at her, and I know you hate Chad. I also know the reasons why. They’re good kids. Don’t fuck with them, or this understanding we have will become something else.”
Grabbing his shirt with my free hand, I yank him toward me, getting all up in his face. “Are you threatening my mother, Doug? Cause I got to say, that won’t end well for you. Just look at what we did to the last guy who hurt her.”
Forcibly removing my hand from his shirt, with more strength than I thought he possessed, he glowers at me. “Of course, I’m not threatening your mother. I love her. I wouldn’t harm a hair on her head. But I won’t hesitate to hurtyouif you do anything to hurt Ashley, even knowing how much it would hurt Hera.” He shoves my shoulders, pushing me back before he rises. “You’d be wise not to underestimate me, son.”
“Understood.” I shove the envelope down the front of my jeans and stand.
“She’s your sister, Ares,” he adds as I turn to leave. “That means she’s off-limits to you.”
I walk to the door in silence before deliberately turning to face him. “She’s mystepsister, we’re not blood related, and if she wants me to fuck her, I will and there isn’t a damn thing you can say or do to stop it.”
