Page 60 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

My father sighs and cuts his steak. “You’re probably right. She’s a novelty, but she serves a purpose too. I’m glad you understand and won’t hold it against him in the future for this... straying.”

“Luke and I have always had an arrangement that doesn’t lock either of us in.” Her green eyes meet mine and narrow. “We’re young. If we don’t get this out of our systems now, who knows what would happen when we’re older. What regrets we might have.”

My dad nods like he isn’t a cheating asshole.

“Sidney’s dating Zach Gray,” I mention and take a drink of my soda.

My father nods. “Now Alec Gray is an interesting man. Self-made. Intelligent. His son might be an equally good asset.”

Not friend. Asset. Someone to use. That’s all people are to my father. Including his own children.

Sidney sighs. “Luke and Zach don’t get along. It’s okay though. I don’t plan to keep Zach much longer.”

Funny how I don’t get along with a guy who wants to rape my girl.

“You don’t have to like someone to use their talents.” My father slices into his steak. Is he thinking about Sean Davidson? How he used him for years?

I bet he sleeps like a baby even though he has everything to do with Sean’s absence from Harper’s life. Whatever happened at the quarry wasn’t “accidental” like my father said. He played a part in it.

“I aced my physics test.” Penny’s voice rings through the room like she’d been holding it in, and it burst from her. “The best score in the class.”

“That’s nice, dear.” My father nods to her like she told him she colored inside the lines in a coloring book. His eyes narrow on her. “It would be better if you were taking an AP class at this point in your high school career, but I’m sure it will help you secure a spot in the state school of your choice.”

Penny’s face falls. She’ll never get what she wants from him. He’ll never accept her. He barely accepts me. And praise? Forget that. All he knows is how to keep someone down.

“Your mother didn’t push you enough. That’s my fault. I should have stepped in earlier.” My dad shakes his head.

We eat in awkward silence for a moment, only the scraping of utensils against the China fills the room. I glance up at Penny, but her gaze remains on her plate. I can’t fight back, even for her. He’ll use any perceived weakness against us. And if I step in to defend her, he’ll know I care about her, even if it’s a little.

“How close are you to Harper?” my dad asks. His tone is calculating.

I look up but he’s looking at Sidney. What’s this new hell?

Sidney smiles. “I’ve tried to help her, but she’s not really anyone to worry about. She’s just a new toy. You know, boys and their toys.”

She laughs, but there’s no humor in it. There’s hate in her tone, knowing that I’ve given Harper something she’s never gotten from me. A commitment to be only hers.

“She’s up for Homecoming Court,” Penny says.

My dad actually looks at Penny with interest. “She is?”

“Yes, but she won’t win.” Sidney straightens. “Everyone knows Luke and I will win. We win every year.”

“I was thinking about stepping off the court.” I watch her carefully as I cut my steak.

Her lips tighten, but her smile holds. “Why would you do that?”

“I have other things to worry about.”

Sidney laughs. “Don’t be ridiculous. You have to be on the court.”

“I was Homecoming King.” My father sits back and looks at the three of us. “It means you’re the most popular, which is exactly what we want. It’s power.”

I could say no, but fuck that. My insides burn with hate for this man. Everything he’s done to me and to Harper. “Of course. That’s what Fosters do. We rule the school. Date the most popular girl. And use everyone who’s useful to us.”

My father’s eyes narrow as I stand. “If you’ll excuse me, I find my appetite is lacking this evening.”

When I reach the door, my father’s voice stops me. “Luke.”