I yawned behind a fist while making my way through the base. I’d walked the halls of the VIP area without seeing any of the Liberated Army, my father’s foot soldiers. There were many bases all over the world for the LA, but this was the home base for their General—and me, his child.
The main section came up quickly, and I checked my bracelet again. I’d only wasted twenty minutes eluding Godric’s guards in the hidden passageways. I had plenty of time to take a shower before leaving the base.
I lifted my head to watch where I was walking, lest I fall on my face, which had occurred more times than I liked to admit. My steps faltered though when I saw what was straight ahead a few more feet. It was a conference room my father typically used to intimidate, where plenty of LA soldiers walked by in their menacing red uniforms, showcasing the power my father had.
I stopped completely when I saw who was inside.
My father was there, and he had taken notice of me through the glass barrier. He had twenty soldiers lined up along the walls on his side of the table, and a few others were sitting next to him.
But on the other side of the room was Godric, leaning back in a conference room chair with his legs spread wide while he spoke to my father. His guards, dressed all in black, were positioned against the walls at his end of the table. He had no one sitting next to him, conducting the meeting by himself.
I looked right to a hallway I could sneak off to—but my father flicked a hidden hand, indicating he wanted me to come into the room.
My eyes widened.
My father never wanted me in his meetings.
I swallowed down my nervousness.
There was no way he could know my plans.
Or who I had been with tonight.
I hesitated when Godric stretched his neck and paused as he saw me standing outside the room. Maybe my father did know. There were cameras on base.
I wiggled the bill of my ball cap down and shoved my shoulders back. There was only one way to find out why he wanted me in there. So I walked forward with fabricated ease, keeping my attention on the door.
Godric’s brows furrowed as he scanned the area behind me, and he placed his hands on the armrests of his chair. He started to stand. But he ever so slowly sat back down, calm and casual, when he noticed my father already standing up with his attention on me.
My father arrived at the door before me and opened it, allowing me entry. All the guards on my father’s side took one glance at me and looked away, their attention back on Godric’s guards. And Godric’s guards peered in my direction, then away…and quickly back again when they realized it was me—the woman who had fucked their boss less than a half hour ago.
My father indicated for me to follow him.
I peeked at Godric’s face, but all confusion had cleared from his features. He now wore a bored expression—though his golden eyes were watching with patient intelligence. He had to be wondering why the hell I was here and why the great General Carvene seemed to want me here.
My father glanced in Godric’s direction, glaring with cool eyes. “Excuse me a moment. There’s someone I’d like Poppy to meet.”
“What?” I asked, utterly confused.
Godric raised a brow. “Who exactly is this woman to interrupt our meeting?” He flicked a finger at me. “This is highly unorthodox.”
My father snapped, “And so is your attire.”
Godric’s lips curved at the edges, enjoying my father’s anger. “You didn’t answer my question, General Carvene.”
My father ground his teeth together, glancing back at his side of the table before he pressed his hand to my back guiding me in Godric’s direction. I pushed against his palm, digging in my feet, but my father only pressed harder. I breathed in through my nose deeply, trying not to hyperventilate the closer we got.
Godric’s brows rose, but he stood calmly to his feet.
We stopped directly in front of his bare chest.
My father kept his hand on my back and gestured to Godric with his free one. “Poppy, this is Mr. King.” His hand waved in my direction. “Mr. King, this is my daughter, Poppy.”
My jaw dropped an inch.
Godric’s jaw ground together.
Our eyes held one another’s.
