Page 73 of Lilies from Hell

“What for?”

“That’s none of your business,” I say with an amused smile, crossing my arms.

“Fine, then don’t come asking for a ride in my car later.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Yeah, right,” he says sarcastically before turning around and climbing the steps past me.

When I see Lance and my father walking toward the exit, I head there too. I greet them with a smile, but that doesn’t make my father look any happier to see me.

“I’m really sorry,” I say, pouting. “Will you forgive me? Pretty please?”

“This will be the last time you disappear like that, you know we don’t like it when you do that.” I nod quickly, hanging on his arms and planting loud kisses on his cheeks.

“I promise,” I say with a smile from ear to ear, pulling away from him. “And where are you going? Aren’t you supposed to be resting?” I ask as he is about to get into the car.

“I’ll be fine, we’re just running some errands,” he says with a broad smile. I know what that smile means. Before he can close the door, I get in the car too.

“I’m coming with you.”

“You’re not going anywhere. Get out of the car,” he demands, signaling whoever is in the driver’s seat not to start the engine.

“Please. Nothing happened the last time I went with you.”

“I said no. What’s gotten into you now?”

“I just want to help you. Your leg still hasn’t recovered.” I bite my lower lip, lowering my tone. “And well, I need money too.”

“Isn’t the weekly allowance I give you enough?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.

“Yes, but I need a little more.”

“More? What for?”

“I need to buy some things, update my wardrobe, makeup. You know, girl stuff.” He sighs. “And this way I’m doing something productive, like a summer job.”

“All right, but not a word of this to your mother. If she finds out, she’ll kill us both.”

“Thanks, you won’t regret it,” I say, throwing myself into his arms.

As I walk down the steps, a man stops a few feet away and bows his head, speaking in an almost hesitant voice.

“Mr. Novikov is asking for you.”

I turn on my heel and head for the main room, preparing myself mentally for the bullshit he will put me through. My father’s reproachful voice greets me as soon as he sees me.

“If I don’t come to see you, I don’t know shit about you. Not a call, not a message. Nothing.”

“What the fuck do you want now?” I ask.

“Let’s go somewhere else, somewhere we can be alone,” he murmurs, glancing at the guards around us as if he’s about to tell me some kind of secret.

“Speak fast. I want you out of my house.” My blood is already running fast and heated.

I tap my pockets, searching for a cigarette and the lighter. His words almost stop me in the middle of bringing the cigarette to my lips.

“Fuck. You are still pissed with me, aren’t you?” He asks, lifting his eyebrows in a mocking glare. “Come on, son. I already told you next time I will let you be a part of it all.”