Page 35 of Ruin

But the look in his eyes doesn’t make me fully believe him.

“There’s something else…” I say.

“You’re seeing someone?” he says roughly, making my spine straighten like I was just hit with a cattle prod.

“What? Where in the hell did that come from?”

He grits his teeth, holding my eyes. “I don’t want another guy coming between me getting to know my daughter, Cam.”

I frown. “No one will be interfering with you getting to know your daughter, Zeus.”

He nods. “So…is there a guy?”

Rich.

I shift on my feet and swallow. “Yes. No. Kind of. It’s not serious,” I tell him. Why I tell him that it’s not serious with Rich, I have no clue. That incites me to add, “Not that it’s any of your business.”

His jaw tightens. He can’t hide his anger from me. I just don’t get why he is angry.

“If he’s around Gigi, then it is my business.”

Ah, so that’s why.

“Gigi doesn’t know that Rich and I are seeing each other. She thinks he’s just a guy I work with.”

“At the club?”

“No. The station. He’s a police officer. I work in admin at Aunt Elle’s precinct during the day. I only work at the club on weekends.”

“Jesus, Cam. You work two jobs?”

“Gigi’s always well cared for,” I state defensively.

“That’s not what I’m worried about. I’m talking about you working two jobs to earn money to care for our kid.”

“I’m fine for money. The job at the station gives me enough for us to live comfortably. Living here with Aunt Elle takes off the pressure. I only dance at the club…well, for me, so I don’t forget how to dance. And the extra money I earn there, I’m saving for when Gigi’s older.”

“Well, you don’t need to now. I’ll be giving you all the money you need for Gigi. So, you can quit both jobs.”

“I’m not quitting my job!” I exclaim.

His eyes narrow. “Why? So that you can keep on seeing your secret boyfriend?”

My brows slam angrily together. “Rich isn’t my boyfriend. And I’m not quitting my job because I don’t need you taking care of me.” Asshole, I silently add at the end.

“Well, I’m giving you money either way because I take care of what’s mine.”

“I’m not yours,” I fire back at him.

He steps forward. “No. But Gigi is. And you’re her mother.”

I step back and fold my arms over my chest. “Whatever. I’m not quitting my job.”

He sighs heavily. “Do what you want, Cam. Just make sure that Deputy Dick doesn’t get in my way, and then we won’t have any problems.”

“Deputy Dick? Jesus, Zeus. Childish much? And, for your information, he’s not a deputy.”

“Traffic cop? Thought so.”