I pull the lid off and slide my spoon across the top layer where it’s a little melty. That’s the best part, and Tiff’s letting me have it without a word. Goes to show how bad she thinks all this is too.
Mouth full, I tell her, “I don’t want to talk about me anymore. What’s going on with you? At the office? With Ace? Distract me.”
Her wry brow says, ‘Are you not entertained?’ but she does catch me up on what’s been going on at work, which is mostly the same things that were going on before I left. Ricky is flirting with Miranda on the daily now, but they haven’t had an official date. The phone rings, copies get made, and there’s been plenty of chatter about the HQ2 sites.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but I think Ace might’ve turned a corner too. After you left, I didn’t even go home for several days. I just couldn’t, you know? Though I know that sounds bad.”
She shakes her head sadly and I give her the pint. She needs it more than me right now, but only for a minute. Because sex in front of royals trumps asshole brothers.
“It was a bomb, Elle. Trash everywhere, a sinkful of dishes, a dent in the sofa where he sits, Kevin going stir-crazy, and I don’t think he’d even flushed the toilet. He wasn’t expecting me, so thank God for small favors, I didn’t catch him jacking off or anything like that.”
Her whole body shudders. “No showers either, for days. My apartment smelled like teenage boy, homeless guy, and dog shit. I couldn’t pretend it wasn’t disgusting. There was no hiding it, not that I felt the need to, but it was really bad. I think he was embarrassed. I don’t know what made it different that day, maybe just how bad it was? But he seemed like he was looking around, seeing his situation with fresh eyes.”
“What happened?” I hate to hear about Ace having such a hard time, but I am thankful that my problems are at least superficial. I mean, who really cares about consenting adults going a bit too far in public when there are real people with real problems? Okay, so the kid seeing it is a serious complicating factor that icks me out majorly, but hopefully, she has no idea what she saw.
“Nothing at first. I got the things I went by for and just left. But he called me yesterday, before all the stuff happened with you and Colton. He asked me to come by, actually invited me over to my own apartment, which I thought was pretty hilarious.”
The resting bitch face says she didn’t laugh a bit. “But I went. And he’d cleaned. Just a little, but there was room for him to sit on the couch—he flipped the cushions around so there wasn’t a dent—and the armchair didn’t have a single dirty shirt on it. And he apologized, said he’s getting help.”
“What kind of help?” I take the ice cream back and shovel a big bite into my mouth because I know she’s going to take it again.
And yep, she reaches for it and licks around the rim where the drips are threatening to spill over. “Therapy, I think. He said his girl fucked him up good. Apparently, she was pregnant and told Ace it was his. He had this whole dream life planned out, with them getting married and having the baby. He was saving up for them, just really happy to be a husband and a dad. She had the baby, playing the odds right up until the end, but when the little boy was born, he knew it wasn’t his kid.”
“Oh, shit!” Sadness at Ace’s loss, not exactly of his child but of his dream, weighs me down. “Poor Ace.”
“He even told her he’d stay, raise the baby as his own, and marry her. She said no, that the other guy said he would marry her if he turned out to be the dad. Ace left her and what he thought was going to be his kid at the hospital and came to my place. That’s what’s been eating at him. But he’s getting sorted out, taking care of Kevin and cleaning up after himself. Therapy, I guess, and he mentioned that he wants to find a new job here, and an apartment too.”
“Wow, good for him. I can’t imagine how you pick up the pieces and go on after that, but I guess it makes sense why he’s been so scattered. Tell him to let me know if I can do anything to help.”
“Will do. I think he’s gonna be okay, though. It’ll take some time, but he’ll get there. Even if I have to force him.”
We eat in silence for a few minutes, staring mindlessly at whatever’s on the television. I couldn’t tell you what it is since I’m not really paying it any attention.
“Have you talked to Daddy since the news broke?”
I’m too tired to even bother with correcting her, but I hold up my middle finger.
“Really, go over and talk to him. He deserves that, at least. Otherwise, he’s going to find out in line at the grocery store when he sees his little girl getting some. Want me to go with you? I can act as a buffer. He can cry on my shoulder about where he went wrong with you and I’ll tell him that we both did our best to keep you from making bad choices, but some kids just can’t be stopped.” She tsks, shaking her head sadly.
“No. I do need to go, but you’re staying here. Far away from Dad.”
“Fine.” She pouts, crossing her arms, but then she reaches for the ice cream. “But you’re not getting my Ben & Jerry’s then.”
“Tell me one thing first, baby girl. Did that asshole take advantage of you in any way? Of course he did. He’s your boss.” He answers his own question, not giving me a moment to answer.
“Dad, dad. Listen to me, please.” My plea seems to get through to him because he quits ranting about the ‘British bastard’ and focuses.
“He didn’t take advantage of me. We got carried away, which wouldn’t have been a big deal if not for the whole royalty thing, but . . . I love him, and he loves me. And we want to be together, even after all this.”
I’m holding my breath, my chest stretched to capacity with hopes, prayers, and too much carbon dioxide buildup. But I don’t dare breathe. Not until I hear what Dad has to say.
“You love him? He loves you? What does this have to do with HQ2?” Dad looks so confused and runs his hands through his hair, messing up his perfectly slicked hair.
He got a haircut while I was gone, I think idly. It’s longer on top and shaved underneath, trendy and fashion-forward. And I wonder who I can set him up with again. Maybe it’s the daughter in me who just wants to see her dad happy, or maybe it’s the woman in love who wants everyone to feel this joy, but Dad deserves someone. No names come to mind right now, though, unfortunately.
“Nothing. We just fell in love despite our rocky start.”
Oops, didn’t mean to say that. I bite my lip, hoping Dad doesn’t ask questions, but he seems to think I was referring to Colton leveraging me as a pawn on the project. “Definitely hard to overcome telling someone flat-out that you’re using them. I hope you made him work to prove it?” Dad’s eyes narrow as he pins me in his gaze, looking mean, but I know it’s a front. Mostly.
“I did. Made him play putt-putt on our first date—the gross, old-school kind.”
Dad’s eyes go wide. “Putt-putt? Colton Wolfe?” He laughs, slapping at his thigh. “Well, I’d have liked to see that, I think.”
“And he made me bungee jump. It was terrifying, but so cool. I have the video from that, if you want to see?”
I’m excited by how easily Dad’s taking this. I thought he would lock me away in his spare room and throw away the key, just letting me out for exercise in the yard like a dog. Or a prisoner.
But he’s talking like this is almost totally fine.
Until he cringes. “Think I’ll pass on videos and pictures for a while, actually, baby girl. I’ve seen more than I want to.”
And now it’s my turn to cringe. Talking about sex with my dad is probably on the short list of conversations I never want to have. Ever.
“I’m sorry about that, Dad. I know it’s embarrassing.”
He hugs me to him. “Elle, we have been through so much, the two of us against the world, but you’re growing up and I know that. We talked about your period when it was time for that, we talked about how to say no and be safe, we talked about experimenting in college, we talked about hopes and dreams. There is nothin
g I wouldn’t talk about with you if you needed to. But remember, you have Tiffany too, and she’s probably a better person for you to talk about your . . . uhm, sex life with at this point.”
He whispers sex life like it’s a dirty word, which makes me laugh. But he’s right. Even as a dad, he never shied away from anything, especially not like my friends who had moms to go to about that stuff. Dad was on the ball, always.
He had a basket of pads and tampons in the bathroom for me well before I started, and yep, he taught me how to use them. I don’t know how he knew, and I was too red-faced and dumbstruck to ask at the time, but he learned so he could teach me. Same when he bought me condoms along with a mini fridge for college. He never questioned it, just sent a fresh box with every care package. Real-life practicality went hand in hand with the bigger life lessons with him.
He’s the absolute best. And I’m still not ready to discuss my boyfriend eating me out. Just a hard no on that conversational front, always will be.
“Oh, by the way . . . that lesson on saying no and being safe?”
Dad’s brow raises. “I thought you said Colton didn’t take advantage? Do I need to have Billy and Ricky have a talk with him? They’d definitely be onboard for that.” Dad punches the air a little like he’s shadowboxing.
I chuckle, knowing he would if I gave the slightest indication that Colton had overstepped. “No, not that. I met Colton’s sister in London. Her name’s Lizzie, and she was having a particular problem with a neighbor boy. I taught her the same skills you taught me. Worked like a charm.”
I grin proudly, both of myself for sharing the lesson and of Lizzie for being the brave badass to actually do it.
Dad beams, proud of himself too. “Well, you tell Lizzie that if she has any more problems, I’m sure Billy and Ricky would love a trip oversees to handle some business.”
“Sure thing, Dad. Will do.”
Chapter 32
Colton
Heading into the office, my gut is tight. Not nerves, exactly, but resolution. Today is going to be an utter destruction of everything I’ve built professionally. I will have to stand tall under curious gazes, hold my tongue as sharp barbs are volleyed my way, and most importantly, not let my temper control my fists.
That’s my biggest concern as I enter the lobby and see Billy and Ricky waiting for me. Billy is keeping watch on the door from one of the sleek leather couches, and Ricky is chatting up Miranda. She doesn’t even pretend to get to work as I come in. My power is that depleted.
Actually, perhaps she’s just that engaged with Ricky? Her eyes are sparkling and locked on his like laser beams, and her body is leaning dangerously close to him. Even from across the room, their chemistry is explosive. Not exactly workplace appropriate, but I’m certainly not one to disavow workplace relationships, now am I?
“This way, Wolfe. Daniel’s waiting to see you.” Billy’s order is only slightly softened by the Vanna White arm gesture as the lift doors open. If I wasn’t certain my odds of surviving the trip up a couple of floors were fifty-fifty at best, it might even seem kind. But then again, he just maneuvered me to the back of the square cage and strategically placed him and Ricky in front of the doors. There was definitely no kindness intended in his moves.
We ride up silently, or at least I’m silent. Billy and Ricky are virtually screaming at me, but only with their eyes and popping knuckles. I hear them loud and clear, though.
Billy does the same arm trick at Daniel’s door, though I go in willingly. I’m not an arse who will run from this. He’s a protective father, and I’ve made his daughter front-page tabloid news. He’s got the right to rip me a new one. Billy closes the door, and Daniel, who’s been staring out the window overlooking the canyon, turns to face me.
“Colton. Sit.”
“Daniel.” I should stop there. If we were on equal footing, I would, so that he would throw the first pitch and I could adjust from there. I’m willing to give him the advantage this time, though. For Elle. For us.
So I don’t stop. “I am sorry, truly sorry, for the pain and embarrassment I have caused Elle. I never meant for anything like that to happen.”
From behind me, I hear a snort and can’t help but turn around. Ricky’s eyebrow, just one of them, is raised nearly to his hairline in question. You sure about that, bucko? that brow says.
To Daniel, I explain carefully. “Obviously, we both meant for certain things to happen. I meant that I didn’t intend for the entire globe to be included in our private matters.”
Daniel waves his hands. “Stop. I’ve already talked to Elle about that part. And I don’t want to talk about my little girl’s ‘private matters’ ever again.”
Thank fuckin’ God. Because it’s not something I want to discuss with her father, either. But there are other things . . . “If things were different, I’d be coming to you man-to-man for your blessing—” Three growls sound out around me. “But understandably, now does not seem to be the time.”
That seems to settle them, but only slightly. “What is it the time for, then?” Daniel bites out.
A hard question, one I don’t have the best answer to.
“All I know is that I love Elle and want to be with her.” Blunt, brutal truth is all I can offer.
“Be honest, just you and me,” he says, forcing out every word. “Did you use my daughter to hurt me?”
I try to find the right words and hesitantly explain. “I knew when I found out her name that having her with me would gum up your mental gears. I didn’t plan on using her as anything beyond that, though. She was to be a distraction for you, simply by her presence on my team, and I was bluntly upfront about that. Did you intend for her to sabotage me?”
Daniel reluctantly nods. “Not to harm you, but I did ask her to give me some inside info if she heard anything, an early scoop so that I could counter you if need be.”
“I see.”
The silence stretches out, but Daniel doesn’t relax. He turns back around to the window, looking out at the fog surrounding the building for a moment, then turns back. “Do you care for her? Truly?”
“With all my heart.”
He grunts, but I think I see the tiniest softening of his jaw. I choose to take it as a hopeful sign. “Does this mean you’ll be coming to Tennessee with us?”
“Yeah, one big, happy family.” I turn behind me, not sure if Billy or Ricky made the comment. Their blank expressions give zero clues.
I stand and offer my hand to Daniel. “I haven’t lost the HQ2 proposal race yet.”
His grip is hard, a punishment for so many things. “I’m going to destroy you. May the best man win.”
Even though I’ve been on the board for a few years now, the boardroom has an intimidating feeling to me. Part of it is that with its sterile glass table, brushed steel chairs, and white walls, I feel like I’ve just stepped into some science fiction medical exam room. The other part is the overwhelming sense of power within these walls. While the room might feel modern, the suits sitting around the table are old-school, strategic, power-hungry types. It’s not a dig. I’m one of them myself.
Except today, that power has all been stripped from me. Perhaps not formally, not yet. And I was talking a big game with Daniel, but there’s no escaping this. I overplayed, both with the HQ2 site and with my behaviors that have painted Fox unfavorably, not just in the UK but in the US. Seems tabloids are gossipy about the royals the world over.
I sit in my usual place, midway down the long table, the large wall of windows at my back. Usually, they give a sense of grandeur. Today, I feel boxed in, even with the sky stretching out above the canyon. Especially with the gray fog rolling in over the horizon like a warning squall.
Allan calls the meeting to order and then summons me by name. “Colton? Would you like to make your presentation now?”
I dip my chin, feeling the pitying looks of the other board members weighing on me as I stand. All but one. Daniel Stryker, who still looks more angry than s
ympathetic.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before I discuss the HQ2 proposal, there is another issue I’d like to address.” I swear I can see them lean forward, hungry for any salacious gossip they can get their greedy hands on.
“While in London, I was photographed in a particularly compromising situation with another Fox employee.” Heads turn to Daniel, who is clenching his teeth so hard there’s a bump of muscle appearing and disappearing above his jaw. He said he didn’t want to discuss this ever again, but I have to clear things up or it’ll hang over not only my head but Elle’s. “It was certainly unintended to bring a spotlight to Fox Industries, and to me and Miss Stryker, and for that I wholeheartedly apologize. I won’t go into the details of my relationship with Miss Stryker beyond that it is consensual, and at no time did I grant her unfair advantage over any other employee in this company.”
I pause, taking a deep breath and letting my jump over that first hurdle settle, because it’s a big one. And I went in already stumbling, clipped it, and took a header, right in the middle of the race in front of the whole crowd.
Surprisingly, no one asks questions. At least not yet, but I’m sure they’re coming. Allan stays quiet too, and I take it as a sign to continue.
“As to my HQ2 proposal . . . if you’ll recall, I suggested London for a global presence to grow Fox. I still feel like that is the best course of action, and if you’ll review the information included in the binder in front of you, you’ll see the tax breaks, economic benefits, profit margins, and more to support that. However, my site visit did not go as planned.”
I scan the table, but not a single eye is on me this time. They’re all flipping through the pages of the binders of information Helen printed out. Elle and I worked hard to compile our case all week, and it’s solid. Except it’s all predicated on using the Estate as the headquarters’ site. And a flawed foundation makes the entire proposal iffy at best.
The Dare Page 33