Page 124 of Their Cruel Play
Mom laughs and shakes her head. “Between work and my daughter dating half the football team, I have my hands full.”
“Actually, with me dating, your social calendar has definitely opened.” I raise an eyebrow. “We could look into one of those dating apps for you?”
“Pass.” She takes the lid from me and puts the dish in the refrigerator. “I’m good. I’ve got enough going on in my life.”
I lean against the counter as I look her over. She’s not that old. I’ve always wondered why she didn’t find someone new after Dad left. Definitely enough time has passed that someone like her should have at least been going on dates. But if she did, I never knew about it.
Mom turns with a smile. “So tonight I have you for a little longer?”
I glance at my phone. It’s only six-thirty, and I haven’t gotten any new texts from the guys. I shrug. “I heard the new zombie show on Netflix is amazing.”
“You had me at zombies. Do we need popcorn?”
CHAPTER 35
Hostile Negotiations
Luke
So far dinner has been quiet. My father sits at the head of the table and eats his food silently. My back is stiff and my side aches, but I can’t show any weakness. Not in front of him.
He clears his throat. “We need to discuss your relationship with Miss Davidson.”
I set my fork and knife down and sit back in my chair, waiting. This won’t be a discussion. He has a plan, but that means he wants something.
His hazel eyes narrow on me. “It surprised me when you brought her to dinner the first time as a friend.”
Again, I can’t show him any of my cards.
“She’s not the usual caliber of girls you go for. Sidney Brown is more in line with what I would expect you to nurture as a connection. Her parents’ business could align nicely with ours in the future.” Dad turns to look at the one server we have for dinner tonight.
The server rushes over and removes his plate and clears the area in front of him. She’s attractive. Young twenties. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Similar frame to Harper. My father doesn’t do anything without a purpose. She’s part of this discussion.
Dad folds his hands on the table and studies me. His lips curve into a smile. “Nothing to say? I’m surprised you even considered the Davidson girl as a possibility. But sometimes we want something pliable and easy.”
He obviously underestimates Harper. But I can’t give him anything.
My father smirks at my refusal to talk. “But if you have access, we can use that to our advantage.”
Staying calm when he talks about Harper as an object is hard. How much did he learn from my phone? Does he have someone tracking me? I need to be more careful. Jack can hack into my father’s files and secure my digital imprint better.
“How?” The word is dead flat as it passes my lips. He wants to use Harper to his advantage, but I still don’t see how. Besides using her to hurt me when I don’t fall in line.
Arching an eyebrow, he leans back. “Her father, Sean Davidson, used to work for me.”
I keep my face carefully blank, but it’s not surprising. Many people in town work or worked for my father. It just depends on if he was on the legal payroll or the under-the-table payroll.
“He left in a hurry.” Father waves his fingers at the server, and she brings over a decanter of scotch and a crystal lowball glass. She pours him a generous amount, and my father lifts his gaze to mine and smiles evilly. “One for my son, too.”
The woman lifts her brown eyes to mine and then goes over to fetch another glass. She sets it in front of me and pours the amber liquid into it. She returns the decanter to the bar and stands off to the side, waiting for her next order.
My father’s gaze has lingered on the gap in her white shirt showing the lace of her bra for most of dinner. I’m aware of what he pays attention to, and he’s paid her far too much attention.
I lift the glass and swirl it before taking a sip of the smoky sharp liquor.
“Sean Davidson took something of mine when he left. I want it back.” My father downs his glass and waves the server closer again.
She stops beside him with the decanter. As she pours, he slides his hand up the back of her thigh under her skirt. She barely flinches. His eyes darken.
