Except he’s not looking at them as he speaks. His eyes are on me.
My body heats from where we dance. As embarrassed as I am, and disappointed I know he is, it thrills me a bit to know he’s angry.
Angry because he wants me to himself. Angry because of my distance.
“Then we should have no problem accomplishing this arrangement. One week as my daughter, and then you’ll be rid of me. Along with plenty of money to do whatever it is you need it for. Harrison is more than convinced this willwork. He already agreed to sign the deal to merge if you’re successful with your exposure.”
He doesn’t get to know that Mom is struggling. I never confirmed that, and I’ll never give him that satisfaction. If anything, I’ll let him believe it’s for me.
“Lucky you.” I hope he recognizes my spiteful sense of humor from my mother. She taught me well. In fact, I hope everything about me reminds him of her. “So, you and this Stetson guy are close?”
“Close friends for a big part of my life. Even our fathers were friends.”
It makes no sense to me why Stetson would ever be friends with Nathaniel. Stetson is genuine and real. He hates all the big money, fame, and indulgence. Loathes it, actually. He’s simple and treats people kindly.
I can’t help but wonder if I’m reading him wrong? I’d like to think I’m a good judge of character, but this, I just do not understand.
“He seems nothing like you.”
Nathaniel nods, growing even more stiff than before. “He’s not. But he’s my fucking family.”
“Well, you and I both know how very little the word family means to you. So, I apologize if I don’t buy it.”
He huffs, lowering his voice below a whisper to avoid causing a scene. “Do you want me to tell you that you and your mother were the exception, Cove? Because if you want me to make you really fucking angry, I’ll do it. You were. I never wanted children. Never wanted to be married. We were arranged by our parents. Nothing more. Nothing less. I had to do it in order to have everything I do today. You understand the extent one will go for freedom, don’t you?”
Evil lies in his tone, and I hate him for it.
I’m also hurt. Hurt that I never knew any of this. Whydid my mother not tell me they were courted to marry? Here I thought they were actually in love all this time. Or did she really love him?
I need answers. But not from him.
I’ve already come to terms with the reality that my father never wanted me. Overcame that hurdle a long time ago. But this discovery shakes things a bit more. It gives me perspective, no matter how much I want to burn everything Nathaniel’s built and worked for to the ground.
“Don’t start lying to me now, Nathaniel. I could smell your evil from the airport. You did us a favor by leaving. In fact, you even went and found yourself a new family, instead.”
“Very well. Think what comforts you most.” He grows silent before speaking again. “Just worry about being the daughter you only hoped to be for me. Focus on Austin and the real reason you’re here. And stay away from Stetson. Just because we’re at his home doesn’t mean you have the liberty to get to know my people.”
What a horrible human being.
“Sure, Father. Anything you say. You know what? I think I’ve had enough dancing for tonight,” I announce before taking a careful step back and drawing my arms to my chest for support. “I’m gonna go find the restroom. Don’t look for me.”
And possibly scream into the nearest pillow I can find.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
stetson
Boyfriend,my fucking ass.
Since when? Just weeks ago, when I had her screaming my name, begging me to choke and fuck her?
I don’t fucking buy it.
Not that I can even tell her that because she’s Nate’s daughter.
Daughter.
The hits just keep coming. Last I checked, Emma was Nate’s only daughter, and she’s nineteen. Not thirty. So, unless I’ve just been an idiot friend and missed an entire conversation about another child of his, I’m gonna take a wild guess and say he kept this from me. From all of us.
