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I didn’t know how to feel about that, but I guessed nothing. He owed us all at least that, and I stood by my father.
“Remember our agreement,” Dad said to me before waving his hand to the police chief. He wasn’t the one who’d arrested me. I’d found out later that’d been the county sheriff and thank fuck for that.
Today, I was surrounded by allies, and the Maywood Heights’s police chief himself personally escorted my father, me, and my god dad up to the house. LJ flanked my dad and me, and where LJ had my back, I would have my dad’s. I’d listen to him today.
It was the least I could do.
We passed a lot of security on the way inside of the estate that took up like half a city block, and I found out some of the people were our own as well. My dad had hired private security on top of acquiring help from the police force, and my grandfather’s goons were actually few and far between. The dudes were definitely there. They had their fingers to their earpieces and looked ominous as shit. They were actually the ones directing us through the property, but for the most part, my dad and LJ had the most guys, security.
I didn’t know what that meant either, never knowing my grandfather’s games. It could be a show of trust or just him being arrogant, but I didn’t think my dad would ever have his people hurt anyone. Them being here was just for our safety.
This place was busy.
Everywhere I looked, there were folks clustered in rooms, people in front of computers and large screens like this was some intense government operation. They were passing off files and talking both above and to each other. Did they work for my grandfather? A part of his business?
Dad seemed surprised by all this chaos too, and I noticed LJ lean in and tap his shoulder.
“Our guys tell me your dad’s been doing his own searches,” LJ said. “This is it. Our people inquired about all this when they allowed us in to post our men and comb over the area.”
What the fuck?
I scanned around. All this was for Sloane?
Again, Dad appeared surprised by this, his blond eyebrows dashing up half his brow. He flattened his tie. “Nice he’s being of some use.”
He’d mumbled this, but it was audible enough for me. Dad passed a look over his shoulder, and I made sure to stay in his sight. I wasn’t trying to be a bother today.
“Glad you could come.” When my grandfather made his grand entrance, it wasn’t much of one. He’d been chatting with more of these people, all of them in a cluster when Dad, LJ, and I were escorted into the room. This was one of the biggest and nearly the size of a small movie theater.
Grandpa appeared to be at the heart of the show after what he’d said, still with that ridiculous-ass cane. The ruby on top alone could probably put more than one student through a full year at Windsor Prep.
My grandfather liked to show off, money he still had despite not being an active part of Prinze Financial. Sure, I bet he still held a nice part of it, but I didn’t know the details there.
I just knew my dad was in charge now, and I watched him, not at all rigid in my grandfather’s presence. I was quite sure he hadn’t seen his father in years.
But not once did he show it.
No weakness, or really anything else displayed on my dad’s face. It was as if he had no emotion for my grandfather. His expression was passive, calm. His chin raised. “Well, we should be doing everything we can.”
“I agree.” Grandfather tapped that cane across the home’s polished tiles, coming closer. If anything, I stiffened and noticed LJ place a hand on his jacket. It wouldn’t surprise me if my godfather was strapped. Hell, Dad might be too.
If only for me.
Once more, my dad didn’t act threatened, and he put a hand on LJ’s shoulder. “I’m sure you remember LJ.”
“Mr. Johnson and I reacquainted ourselves before you got here, son,” Grandpa said to Dad, and LJ’s smile quirked right.
“Yeah, I’m the one who patted him down personally.” LJ’s grin was high, and Grandpa’s head lifted.
“I remember, Mr. Johnson, and whatever makes you all feel more comfortable.” Grandpa raised a hand. “I just want to help and thank you for openness. I believe working together is our best bet in finding Sloane.”
“Well, you can thank Dorian for that.” Dad’s attention didn’t leave my grandfather, but he did place a hand in my direction. “As discussed, he is merely observing today. He knows this, and now, you do too.”
Grandpa’s attention shifted, falling wide on me. “Even still, I’m glad you’ve allowed him to be here. I didn’t handle things well there, and I’m sure you know this.”
I wasn’t sure if this was an apology for the threats he’d made to me and my family, but that might be the closest I could ever get.
I wasn’t allowed to talk to him.
