Page 116 of The Billionaire's Virgin

“Damn right I called the papers,” I said. “Is that why you’re calling me? Because if you are, there’s nothing I can do now. It’s out of my hands. They’re going to run with this story, and no amount of bribes from your end is going to convince them to pull the story. Too many people have seen her face now anyway. Too many people know about the wealthy Burtons of Manhattan in any case.”

“I didn’t call because of that,” Burton replied, much to my surprise.

“No?”

“I called to say… I’m sorry.”

I stopped short, taken back by that response. “You… what?”

“I think I was in denial this whole time,” Burton replied. “I underestimated how bad off Sofia really was. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself because that meant… well, it meant I would need to take drastic measures to ensure she didn’t hurt anyone else again. And that would remove her chances at a normal life and above all else… I wanted her to have a normal life.”

“She’s not normal though,” I said. “She needs help.”

“I understand that now,” Burton replied. “They will find her soon… Sofia and your daughter.”

“If Sofia has laid one finger on Jenna… you’re going to be sorry… you and your daughter.”

I knew that Burton had called with good intentions, but I couldn’t be gracious at this moment. I couldn’t be considerate or polite. I was angry and scared and helpless, and I needed to rage at someone. Sofia’s father was the perfect person to rage at because in my head he was directly responsible for Jenna’s kidnapping.

“Why couldn’t you just leave her where she was?” I demanded. “They had her in custody. She was not a threat to anyone. Why didn’t you just leave her there?”

“I wanted her to be comfortable before the court appearance.”

“You really are a delusional man,” I said. “She was only ever interested in being free so that she could put her final plan into motion.”

“When she’s found, I’ll make sure she stays far away from you and your family.”

“I’ve heard that promise before,” I said. “Forgive me for not believing it.”

“I don’t expect you to,” Burton replied. “I just… needed to say it all the same. I’m sorry for this entire mess, Reed. I never expected it to go this far.”

“I’m not going to go easy on her this time,” I replied.

“You have to do what you think is best,” Burton replied tiredly. “And I’ll do what I think is best.”

I frowned, wondering what he meant by that. It sounded like he was still going to fight to protect his daughter, not that I expected anything less from him, but I had thought this move of hers would have opened his eyes somewhat and made him realize that Sofia was a danger to society.

Before I could say another word, he hung up, and my worries somehow amplified. I turned around to see that Jennifer was standing a few feet away, watching me.

“Is everything all right?” she asked. “You were shouting.”

“I was?” I asked. I hadn’t even noticed that I had been shouting.

“Yes.” Jennifer nodded. “Was that Sofia’s father?”

“Yes,” I said.

“What did he want?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” I admitted. “I think he wanted to tell me he was sorry.”

Jennifer raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

“I think he feels guilty for underestimating his daughter… but I think he’s still going to protect her all the same.”

“How can he possibly do that?”

“Keep her out of jail I suppose,” I replied.