“Of you walking her across campus? On a leash, Talon? A goddamn leash. Do you have any idea how many people sent those to me? How many colleagues asked if my son had lost his mind?”
“It was consensual?—”
“I don’t care if she begged for it. You paraded the President-elect’s daughter around like... like some kind of—” He stops, jaw clenching. “And apparently you’re not even doing it alone—Steele and Thorne are in on this little arrangement too.”
“We’re all dating her. Yes.”
He laughs. “Dating. You’re sharing her like she’s some Omega Chi party favor.”
“It’s not like that?—”
“Isn’t it? Because from where I’m standing, it looks exactly like that. Three officers passing around the same girl, making a spectacle of it. I raised you better than this.”
“You raised me exactly for this. OCK officers share women all the time. It’s practically tradition. You did it when you were an officer,” I shoot back.
His face goes carefully blank. “That was different.”
“How?”
“It was different because we kept it discreet. We didn’t walk girls around campus on leashes where anyone with a camera phone could document it. And we certainly didn’t do it with the daughters of presidential candidates.”
“So it’s fine as long as nobody sees? As long as it’s kept hidden and shameful?”
“It’s fine… as long as it doesn’t threaten your future or embarrass your family. Which this does.”
“Maybe my future doesn’t look like yours.”
“Maybe it doesn’t get to exist at all if you keep this up.” He drains his champagne and sets the empty flute on a passing waiter’s tray. “Listen to me very carefully, Talon. I don’t give a damn who you sleep with or how many of you are involved. Frankly, I expect it from OCK. But Mara Black? A girl with PTO lineage? The President’s daughter?” He shakes his head slowly. “You’re playing with fire.”
“I can handle?—”
“You can’t handle this. None of you can. Steele and Thorne—their fathers have reach, have protection within the Syndicate. But you? You’re my son, and my influence only extends so far. If PTO decides you’ve disrespected their princess, if the Syndicate decides you’re a liability to the President...” He trails off, letting the implication hang.
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m warning you. There’s a difference.” He glances across the room where James Steele is watching us. “Your friends’ fathers can protect them to a degree, but I can’t save you from this. Not if you keep pushing. Not if you keep making this public.”
“I’m not asking you to save me.”
“No, you’re asking me to watch you destroy yourself. Break it off—all three of you. End whatever this is with Mara Black before someone ends it for you.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Both.”
“Then you’re on your own. When this blows up—and itwillblow up—don’t come running to me for help. Don’t expect me touse my position to bail you out. You’ve made your choice. Live with it.”
“I intend to.”
He steps back, straightening his jacket. “I hope she’s worth it. I really do. Because you’re throwing away everything—your reputation, your future, possibly your life—for a girl who’s been groomed since birth to be a political asset. She’ll choose her father’s world over you when it comes down to it. They always do.”
“You’re wrong about her.”
“Am I? Or are you just too blinded by... what, love? Good pussy?” He shakes his head. “I was young once too, Talon. I know how intoxicating it feels to think you’ve found someone worth burning the world for. But that feeling doesn’t last, and when it fades, you’ll be left with nothing but ash and regrets.”
“If that’s what you think love is, I feel sorry for you.”
