She opens her mouth, but my sharp look makes her shut it and leave the room.
And I get it. The semester won't start just yet.
But I pour us a drink and make nice with Dad until he tells me to cut the bullshit. So, I do. I lay it out for him.
First, I hit him with full-time staying with me, but he shoots that down, just like I knew he would.
So, I move on to phase two. I mention other schools for next year. And her being closer to her music teacher. And then I offer him something I know is close to his heart...saving some money in the boarding full-time.
"No. Not on my fucking life, Enzo. She is my daughter and belongs with me."
I keep my tone soft. "Come on. Lyndall's at boarding school most of the time. And realistically, you're not letting her live here by herself, and you're not pulling her from school when you go to Chicago."
His lips press hard. "No, Enzo."
"It will benefit you by freeing up time, and I'm good with it. Honestly."
"Enough."
Dad is clearly done listening.
I sigh and take a step back.
I'm obviously not going to get the answer I want today. But I leave the brochures and my notes on how it might work. I will try another time when he is in less of a bad mood.
"Fine. I need to go anyway." I drain my glass. "Just one thing, Dad."
"What?" he growls.
"Don't send her back before the school semester starts. You will lose her if you do."
I sit in the basement at home, a drink by my side, and out of a stuffy fucking suit, one I put on for Dad. A T-shirt and jeans are way more comfortable, and though I like a suit, it is not something I want to wear every day.
The beauty of having access to the smart camera and the tiny, powerful cameras I had installed means I can hack into Lola's personal computer.
I have poked around before, but it was just to make sure whoever was spying hasn't been able to do so.
I'm not sure what, but something compels me to open thecamera feed on my computer, and I look around her place. Everything is quiet, everything is blanketed in dark.
I have done this before. Checking on client spaces or a target's space so we know when to go in or just to make sure all is fine.
This isn't anywhere near as innocent.
At first, I watch her sleep, switching to night vision.
Not only are the cameras almost impossible to locate, they are also the highest and latest illegal tech...or will be once governments discover them so they can do all kinds of things.
Damn, she is cute in her sleep. One leg, long and slim, is on top of the tangled covers, and her hair is a cloud around her.
I'm guessing she is a restless sleeper.
She is wearing an oversized T-shirt, which has the benefit of riding up to show off her white panties and one ass cheek half out.
Really, the thing should be burned. The shirt, not her ass. Maybe burn the panties, too.
She should be in satin, silk, lace, or nothing at all.
Her body should be heavy from hours of sex and still sheening with perspiration.
