by Lindsey Iler
By Madison’s shit-eating grin as she walks to the table, my guess is she heard me.
I don’t know what’s gotten into Delaney. With the arrival of Madison, I’d say she feels like she has something to prove, but we both know damn well she doesn’t.
“Where’d you go?” I ask, adjusting myself from the trouble that is Delaney Chambers.
“Had to make some calls.” Her eyebrow raises towards the ceiling. “Do I dare ask what that was all about?”
“I think you can guess.” I laugh, memories taking over my mind like a relentless itch that won’t go away.
Madison giggles, tapping her finger on the table. “You aren’t going to try to fuck me again, are you?” If she wasn’t so damn trustworthy, I’d be worried.
“Only if she asks me to.” I grin, standing, a little shaky at the knees from the first of the morning fuck.
“You love her.” Disbelief is in her tone, but her face screams a different emotion entirely. Understanding.
“It goes beyond that, Madison.” I lean my hands on the table and press closer to the middle. “I’d kill for her, and that’s a whole lot more than love.” I walk to the stairwell, ready to get this day over with.
“Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Madison says, glee in her words.
Let’s hope not.
Again.
Chapter Sixteen
Delaney
“Hey, Dad,” I call out as I walk in the door.
No one is there to greet me in the entryway, which is strange. Ginger is always there to welcome guests, unexpected or not. I glance at Breaker. Watching his eyes widen as he inspects my father’s house is amusing.
“I’m rich, Delaney, but this . . .”
“Is all for show. Trust me, there aren’t many happy memories in this place,” I quip, surprised by the sadness I feel from that reality.
Breaker reaches for my hand, and I happily put mine in his.
“Oh, honey. I’m surprised to see you.”
“What are you doing here, Mom?” She hugs me, forcing me into her arms. Breaker’s hand slides from mine, and he moves away. “No, seriously, Mom. What’re you doing here?”
“Your mother and I had plenty to discuss.” My father glides into the room with an arrogance that is palpable. His eyes narrow on Breaker. “And who is this?”
“I’m Bre—” He catches himself. “Barrett Davenport.”
“As in the Davenport Foundation?” my mother asks, a willingness to dote on him crossing her face. “They’re doing great things over there.”
“We’re trying.”
“We’re?” My father’s question is clear. Who is this kid?
“Yes, I will be in charge of the foundation after graduation, if I wish,” Breaker answers.
“Seems like a whole lot to place on a kid’s shoulder.” My father tsks.
“It was my mother’s, sir. It’s the only legacy we have of her, so it’s never too much to keep her spirit alive through the work we do.”
“And what kind of work is that?” My dad challenges.
“What’s with the third degree?” I question, instantly defending Breaker.
“If you bring a new boy home, I’m in my right to know who he is and what he stands for, especially when I expect to see you with Tripp.” The undertone of anger and disappointment in his voice is loud and clear.
“If you like Tripp so much, Dad, why don’t you fuck him instead?” I blurt.
“Delaney.” My mom’s eyes widen at the tone I’m taking with him.
“What?” I shrug. “I think I’ve made it awfully clear that Tripp and I aren’t going to be a thing like Daddy has pictured.”
“Don’t talk to me like that, young lady,” Dad scolds me, then glares at my mom. She’s flipping her hands around while she berates him, and he blames her for my attitude.
“I didn’t come here to fight,” I interrupt their bickering. It’s like a flashback from my childhood. “Can you two stop?”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Mom cups my face and kisses my cheek before heading for the door. “We’re done here anyway. I have nothing else to say to your father. Call me, and we’ll catch up.”
Catch up? I’m not one of her girlfriends. I’m her daughter. I give my dad the sweet, daddy’s girl smile. He softens in a flash. Works every time.
“Are you two managing to get along?”
“I gave her the Lake Tahoe cabin, so what do you think?” He rolls his eyes and heads towards his office, pausing to glare at Breaker’s hand in mine. “You will come speak to me, Delaney.”
There’s a difference between speaking to someone and someone speaking at you. My father has mastered the skill of talking at me my entire life. If he asks me to jump, I’m expected to ask how high. If I’m not behaving in a way he finds acceptable, I will hear about it. He has dictated many decisions in my life. That stops today.
“You going to be okay in there?” Breaker offers me a sad smile.
“He’ll probably tell me how disappointed he is in me. More than likely, Tripp’s name will be laced throughout the conversation. I’ll be fine, though. He’s my father.” I shrug and press a chaste kiss to his lips. “My bedroom is the one at the top of the stairs. Wait for me there, and try not to get into too much trouble, okay?”
Walking to my father’s office feels like a drop down the plank of a pirate ship. Knives poke at me, but what worries me most, are the sharks at the bottom, waiting to snap at my feet to teach me a lesson. Gary Chambers is a great white, and I’m his prey.
The office door creaks as I open it. Behind the desk, my dad sits with his hands folded together, and a look of disappointment I’m too accustomed to at this point in my short life.
“Sit,” he commands.
Once I’m in the chair across from him, I fidget with my clothes, smoothing my blouse. You must always look presentable may as well be written on our family crest. Appearances are everything. His incessant need to have me come home after the “incident,” his words not mine, makes a lot more sense when I think about them through the lens of my new knowledge.
“You need to focus, Delaney. You’re throwing your entire life away,” he scolds, grabbing a pen and scrolling it over a piece of paper.
I hear the familiar sound of a check being torn from the perforated seam. The small paper lands between the two of us. He flicks it around, silently telling me I better grab it.
My eyes skim the barely dry ink. “What’s this for?”
“Call it motivation. Call it whatever you want, but it’s yours.” He crosses his arms over his chest, leaning into the leather of his chair.
“What are the conditions?” I swallow the thick lump in my throat.
“Well, sweetie”—he gets up and circles the desk, leaning on it in front of me—“I suggest you fix things with Mr. DuPont, quickly. He doesn’t want a whore for a wife, so traipsing around with another boy will not serve you.”
“Right, and if I don’t?” My eyes take inventory of the zeros. That’s a lot of money.
“If you don’t, then as always when you disobey me, there will be consequences.” He shakes his head, a clear show of his disapproval. “No husband will tolerate your love for disobeying authority.”
“Does my future stepmom know your archaic views on marriage?” I poke.
“Bridgette is well aware of the man she’s marrying. You should take some tips from her.”
“I’d rather listen to my mother, who was smart enough to leave your ass when you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants, Dad.” The sting is the first thing I feel, followed immediately by regret. I cup my cheek, hiding the pink handprint. “Real nice. You truly have shown me the way a man should treat a woman.”
I stand, the check clutched in my hand, and head for the door.
“Obey or else.”
I flash the check at him, forcing a smile through the grimace. “Don’t you worry, Daddy. I’ll make the right choices.”
Before my sentence is even finish
ed, he’s returning to his rightful spot at the desk. A man of power, incapable of truly loving without a clause. I walk out, shutting the door quietly behind me. My spine hits something soft, startling me.
“Your father means well, Delaney,” Bridgette says.
“Here’s a little word of advice, Bridge.” I tuck her blonde curls behind her ear. “Don’t start making excuses for him now. It will be a long, miserable life if you do it too early.”
“He’s a good man, deep down in there,” she explains of his worst qualities.
“Yeah. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to have to dig for the good in someone I love.” I leave her in the hallway with no desire to hear any more of her excuses.
I race up the stairwell, desperately needing Breaker to recharge my battery with one of his simple smiles.
“You look exhausted, sweetheart.” Ginger is leaning against the post on my bed. Breaker is splayed across the mattress, gripping tight to one of the lacy decorative pillows. “I take it things didn’t go well with your dad.”
“How’d you guess?” I face-plant onto the bed. Breaker’s hand lands on my hip. Who knew a single touch could be so comforting? I lift my head and glance at him over my shoulder. “He’s an asshole.”
Breaker caresses my cheek, worry and anger burning in his eyes.
“Watch your mouth, missy,” Ginger warns, smacking my ass like she did to the little girl she helped raise.
I grin at her motherly spirit. “You know I’m right.” I point to my father’s mark.
“Your father is a complicated man, Delaney, but nonetheless, you’ve always deserved better.” She offers a sad smile, the same one she’s been giving me since I was young. “I’ve stuck around because of you, darling.”
“I know.” I shrug, hating the reality I currently live.
“Now, where have you been keeping this breath of fresh air hidden?” Ginger winks at Breaker.
“You’ve managed to hypnotize her?” I ask him. “Really?”
“It didn’t take much. He’s a charmer, and pretty smitten with you.” She winks at me and heads to the door. “Stick around for dinner, you two. I’m baking your favorite lasagna, and I honestly can’t wait to watch your father angrily eat the happiest meal while looking at this tattooed, pierced-up god.”
“Ginger!” I exclaim, laughing when my voice hits a new octave.
“What?” She tightens the apron around her waist and begins to whistle as she leaves the room.
“She’s not as innocent as she appears.” I roll over and cuddle into Breaker’s chest, nuzzling my nose into his shirt to smell the comforting aroma of his cologne. An audible sigh creeps out of my tightly pinched lips.
“Your wheels are spinning.” Breaker runs his hand over my head, immediately taking some of the tension out of my shoulders. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m thinking that I have a lot to lose. I’m thinking that if I don’t shine a light on what my father is doing with the DuPont family, then the fight I had in me, the strength I managed to conjure up in that room, will all be for nothing.”
“What do you have to lose?” he asks, tucking the hair behind my ear. I melt into his touch.
“My family.”
“Family shouldn’t be contractual, Delaney. I know you’ve lived your life under this microscope, where every decision has been dependent on receiving love, but what he’s done and is doing, is never going to be okay with me. I won’t idly sit here, and at this point, you can’t ask me to.”
“He offered me money,” I blurt, knowing Breaker is right. We aren’t dealing with a compassionate human being, and I don’t owe my father anything.
“Like, what kind of money are we talking about?” Breaker sits up a little straighter.
“It makes your bid at the auction look like pocket change.”
“And what are the terms?” Worry crosses his face, and I can’t stop the hurt that echoes in the chambers of my heart. He doesn’t actually think I’ll take it, does he?
“What do you think?” I slide the check out of my pocket and show him. His eyes widen as they move down the paper.
“I’m kind of flattered.” A deep chuckle roars from the dark depths of Breaker’s throat, catching me off guard.
“What’s so funny?”
“That’s what your dad thinks I’m worth.” He sticks his tongue out at me. “Lots of zeroes.”
“I’m glad you’re finding this amusing.” I sit up and pout. “Breaker, he’s going to get away with this.”
“No, he won’t.” Breaker jumps off the bed and leans over the side of the mattress to kiss me. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.” He spins and rushes towards the door with urgency.
“Where are you going?” I call out as he’s one foot out the door.
“I think your dad needs to get to know me better,” he says, disappearing through the doorway.
Get to know him better? What the hell does that even mean?
Chapter Seventeen
Breaker
“She took the check,” Mr. Chambers says. No voice follows, telling me he’s alone in his office, on the phone. “Will it work? I have no idea. She’d be dumb not to receive it for what it is. A gift. Her sniffing around isn’t good for any of us. Remember what happened last time?”
There’s a pregnant pause in the conversation. He’s hemming and hawing, so whoever is on the other side of the line is not telling him things he wants to hear. I shift on my feet and lean against the wall. Him catching me snooping outside of his door will not work in my favor.
Ginger walks straight by the hallway entrance, making me believe I’ve gone undetected. That is, until she reverses course, eyeballs my position, and then continues on without a single word. Ginger is the equivalent of my Aunt Emily. She always has Delaney’s best interest at heart, no matter who’s writing her checks.
“Calum, relax,” Mr. Chambers says, his tone more agitated than before.
Calum.
That can’t be a coincidence. But why?
“It’s being handled. There will be no way to trace it to the foundation once you’ve gained access.” You tend to be able to tell who is in charge by the tone they take when speaking to others. Mr. Chambers is the big guns of this operation.
The floor creaks when I shift.
“Calum, I have to go.” The phone hits the receiver with a clash.
I tiptoe away, wishing myself to be light on my feet. I’m about to hit the corner when the door slams open.
“Do you need something, Breaker?” Mr. Chambers asks. “You lost?”
When I face him, his smile is forced, though he lets it fall enough to look more natural.
“Your home is beautiful, sir, but I’m a little twisted around.”
“Why don’t you come in my office for a second? Have a little chat with me, huh?” He jerks his head at the door and disappears inside. Apparently, I don’t have a choice in the matter.
I follow, sitting across the desk from him. I can imagine Delaney in this very seat as she was growing up, being emotionally battered by his standards, and then feeling beaten down when she never could quite reach them. I understand that all too well.
“Sir?” I say, hoping to remind Mr. Chambers I’m here because he’d asked me, not because I have anything to say. He’s distracted by something on his phone. Whatever he’s reading does not amuse him. He slams it on the desk screen down.
“What do you think you’re doing?” He leans away, crossing his arms over his chest. He’s built, clearly never given up the workout regimen he’d created in college. Everything about him screams intimidation, but when I sit across from him, I feel resentment.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Chambers, but I don’t understand what you’re referring to.”
That couldn’t be further from the truth. He hates the idea of me. I probably remind him of a fraternity pledge who almost stole Delaney’s mom from him years ago. I’m a representation of everything he isn’t, and he can’t f
athom the idea of his daughter loving someone like me, but he already knows she does. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be threatened.
“Don’t play coy with me, boy.”
“Boy?” I stand, pressing my hands into the top of his desk. “Who are you calling boy?”
“You may run that little ship on campus, but here, this is the pit, and you can easily be removed.”
“It must be hard, sir.” I grin, nibbling on my tongue to hold off saying what is sure to come.
“What’s that?” He sits forward. The intimidation factor he believes he holds is nowhere to be seen. Maybe on others it works, but not with me. I’ve already experienced the worst the world has to offer. He’s small fries.
“Having to see your daughter with someone like me. You probably believe the old tale that tattoos mean I’m nothing but a hoodlum, trash. You’re dead wrong. These tattoos are proof that something beautiful can come from pain. Take my precious Delaney, for instance. She’s been raised by someone so nasty, he put himself before her for his own gain, and look at her. She’s exquisite, unbroken by your words and judgment.”
“You don’t know the first thing about my daughter.”
Well, there’s where he’s wrong.
I lean forward, invading his space, ready to say words no father wants to hear about his daughter. “I know the way her pussy pulses around my dick when I’m fucking her. She screams my name, Mr. Chambers.” I’m such a prick. “I know that she’s beyond smart. Smart enough to see through your bullshit, but not smart enough to realize she’s too good for me. I know that she’s finally waking up to the fact that the man who should love her the most and protect her, has been failing her all along.” I shake my head, completely high off the endorphins I’m getting from letting this man know what I think of him. “You allowed a tattooed, trash bag to do your job, and I’ve never stopped, and I never will. Even if it means I bury you alongside everyone else that wrongs her.” I wrap my fingers around the silver handle of a letter opener and stab it into the desk. “Watch your back, Mr. Chambers. We know where the bodies are buried, and I have a shovel and plenty of time on my hands.”