I see Mitch crack a smile at our quip fest in the rearview mirror.
“Mitch would cough up cash to watch me chomp on you.”
Leaning close, I catch a whiff of Jake’s cologne—Tom Ford, his favorite. The familiar scent wraps around me like a warmhug, making me feel safe and loved. It’s moments like these that remind me how lucky I am to have a brother like him.
“Is that true, Mitch?” Jake asks, turning to our bodyguard-slash-driver. “Would you pay to see my little sister bite me?”
Mitch, a large, imposing figure wearing dark sunglasses, keeps his eyes on the road. “Yes, boss. I’d love to see that,” he replies in a serious tone, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“See?” I grin, nudging Jake. “Even Mitch’s on my side.”
He rolls his eyes, hiking his shoulder lightly. “He’s just scared you’ll bite him instead if he doesn’t agree with you.”
As the SUV cruises along the private roads, I gaze out the window, realizing we’re not heading toward our usual route home. Frowning, I turn to Jake. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way back to the house.”
Jake’s jaw tightens, his eyes flickering with an emotion I can’t quite place. “We’re going to see Dad.”
My stomach drops at the mention of our father. “Why? He doesn’t give a shit about me.”
“Clara…” Jake sighs, running a hand through his hair. “He’s still our father.”
I scoff, tossing my head. “Yeah, some father. He barely acknowledges my existence, and when he does, it’s like he’s looking at the person whokilledMom.”
Jake winces, and I feel a twinge of guilt. I know it’s not fair to bring up Mom’s death, but it’s the truth. She died giving birth to me, and ever since, Dad’s treated me like a constant reminder of what he lost.
“Fine, I apologize for coming up late to pick you up. I had to meet with Dad, and things turned out quite differently than I expected,” Jake admits, his voice strained.
“Let me guess, more important heir-to-the-empire stuff?” I roll my eyes.
Jake doesn’t answer, confirming my suspicions. It’s always been clear that he’s the favorite, the chosen son destined to take over the family business. I’m just the spare, the unwanted daughter.
“Is that true?” I ask, eyeing him suspiciously.
Jake tries to hold back a laugh, reaching over to pat my head. “Would I lie to you, bug?”
“Yes,” I deadpan.
“Don’t worry. We’ll drop by your favorite ice cream shop on the way.”
I narrow my eyes. “Are you trying to bribe me?”
“If you want to think of it that way, but I think of it as appeasing my baby sister,” he says with a wink, adjusting his tie. Jake’s always dressed to impress, just like Dad. Black suit, white shirt, the uniform of the family empire.
“Motherfucker!” Mitch suddenly curses as a car tries to overtake us.
“Language, Mitch!”
“Sorry, boss,” Mitch apologizes.
“Come on. I’m 15! I know how to curse, too. Henry taught me a bunch of British swear words,” I protest, wanting to sound grown-up.
Jake raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “Oh, really? And who’s thisHenryguy?”
I feel my cheeks heat up. “No one. Just a friend from school.”
“A friend, huh?” Jake teases, nudging me with his elbow. “Is he your boyfriend?”
“What? No!” I splutter, my face burning. “He’s just a guy from my class.”
