Corrupted Union

27

His spine stiffened before he turned around and met my stern gaze with cold determination. He might not have been a criminal, but he was a politician, so that wasn’t far off. This wouldn’t be the first time he’d faced adversity. “And how do you play into this?” “She knew she needed help but didn’t want you involved. She was worried the fallout would rub off on you and your career. She came to me at the Moxy.” He gripped the edge of the marble countertop and leaned against it, hanging his head toward his arms. “Why do I get the feeling this somehow gets worse?” “Because it does. The woman being held captive is Russian. Rowan wanted to assure her we were working on freeing her, so she translated a message and went over when the family was supposed to be gone, but Lawrence Wellington returned, and he wasn’t alone.” “Shit.” The exhaled curse was wrought with defeat. “He and a man known as Damyon saw her in the house. She made it out, but they will have been able to tell she was up with the girl. They’ll know that she knows. And this man, Damyon? He’s utterly ruthless.” Alexander’s body shook with shuddering breaths. In and out, minutes went by until he finally spoke. “I knew he wasn’t totally above board, but I never imagined … This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have brushed her off.” He lifted his head just enough to meet my eyes, his glinting with fear. “I’ll hide her away.” I cut my head to the side. “You’re a public figure. Everything about you is searchable—they’ll find her.” He pushed away from the counter and stood tall, determination mingling with desperation. “I have security.” “You think that means anything to them?” I pushed. “Then we’ll get her into Witness Protection!” he shot back. I took a menacing step forward, sensing my moment had come. “You prepared to lose your daughter forever?” I snarled. “Because that’s what happens if she goes in the system, and you know it. You’ll never see her again.” “Then what?” he hissed, desperation bulging his eyes wide. “What the hell am I supposed to do?” I let the question linger and took a slow even breath before tossing the drowning man a life raft. “I have a solution, but you won’t like it.” OceanofPDF.com I took the time alone to finally wash my makeup off and reapply a fresh face. I’d been in desperate need of a cleanse, and it gave me a distraction from obsessing over what was being said downstairs. No matter Keir’s reasons, I still thought I had a right to be present for the conversation. It was my damn life in the balance. The instant a knock sounded on my bedroom door, I was on my feet. “Come in!” Dad looked like he’d aged ten years since I’d seen him an hour earlier. I rushed over and wrapped my arms around his middle. “I’m so sorry, Daddy. I’m so sorry.” “Shhh, there’s nothing to be sorry about. If there’s anyone who should apologize, it’s me. I never imagined …” Pain carved away the usual confidence from his voice. “None of us did.” I pulled back and peered up at him. “No one wants to think someone close to them could be capable of something so … horrendous.” “I’m just glad you’re here.” His eyes danced across my face as though reassuring himself I was unharmed. “I only ever wanted the best for you. Sometimes it’s so hard to know what that is.” His brow furrowed and lips parted like he wanted to say more, but then his mouth clamped shut. “I know, Daddy,” I whispered. I could only imagine the guilt he felt. He’d introduced me to the Wellington family and encouraged me to date Stetson. Dad wasn’t afraid to take responsibility for his actions—that’s what made him so popular among the people—but I hoped he didn’t try to shoulder too much of the blame. He forced a withering smile. “Keir seems to have a plan, though he hasn’t shared all the details with me.” “What did he tell you?” His brow furrowed as his gaze dropped. “He said he wanted to tell you himself. That it would be better coming from him.” “Should I be worried?” My attempt at levity fell short. Dad tucked my hair behind my ear. “You tell me, kiddo. How do you feel about Keir Byrne?” The question felt odd. “What do you mean?” Why was he asking about Keir? “Do you think he’s a decent enough man? I assume you went to him for help because you trusted him on some level.” “Well, yeah. It’s hard to explain, but we had this strange sort of connection from the moment we met. I didn’t tell you at the time, but Keir was already in the house that day when you came home. He’d broken in.” Dad gaped at me. “And you didn’t say anything?” “I know, and that’s exactly my point. I can’t explain it, but I didn’t want him to get in trouble, and I know he’ll do what he can to protect me.” I looked at him pleadingly. “It’s not like it’s forever, though. In a few months, it’ll all be a distant memory.” I wasn’t sure I believed myself, but I hoped my reassurance eased Dad’s conscience. “You’re right.” He nodded, then stilled. “Have you talked to Stetson about any of this?” “No. I can’t imagine he has any idea what his dad is doing, and I’m not sure it’s my place to tell him.” “Then you two haven’t broken up?” Was that hope in his voice? A wave of weariness made my entire body feel as though it had been cast in lead. “No, we haven’t.” Dad’s brows met in a hopeful peak on his forehead. “Well, then. He’s sure to understand when the truth comes out. You’ve already faced so much, sweet girl; I’d hate for you to lose him, too.” My answering smile was sickly at best. “I’m sure everything will work out for the best.” My voice betrayed me, growing weak and wobbly. He hugged me close again, then pulled back. “I’d say we could both use a distraction. How does a movie sound?”