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Chapter Six
Dad.
He blinks a few times before he stands, rounds his desk, and stops a few feet from us. I hear rather than see Derek shift my way.
“Savannah?” my father whispers in disbelief. His face is white as a sheet. “Is that really you?”
“Hi, Dad.” I feel the words catch in my throat.
His hands outstretched, he makes his way toward me but hesitates as he comes in for a hug. As soon as his arms are around me, I feel…uncomfortable? Weird? Strange? I don’t know, but I don’t like it.
“I can’t believe you’re alive.” He pulls back and grasps my shoulders. “Look at you.”
“Dad, we need to talk, and I don’t have much time.”
He looks over at the door. “Did anyone see you? Do you think you were followed?”
“No, it’s okay. I have some questions that need answers, Dad. Like, who’s blackmailing you? Do you know why I was taken? Why was my ransom so low?”
“Whoa, slow down, dear.” He smiles at me, still with his hand on my shoulder. He thinks for a moment, then says, “Tell you what, we need a proper place to talk about all this. Meet me for an early dinner this evening.” He smiles at Derek. “Both of you. Come to the house so we can talk without worrying that the media or anyone else will see you. I’ll answer your questions then, but not here. It’s not safe. You really should go.” He suddenly looks uneasy and makes a show about looking over his shoulder.
I glance at Derek, who doesn’t like the idea and is obvious about it, but he takes his cue from me and agrees unhappily. “Umm, yeah, okay.”
“Great. Four sound all right?” Dad asks as I check the time. It’s a little after one. “I’ll call ahead and have dinner ready for us.”
“All right, we’ll meet you there.”
My father turns to Derek. “Thank you for bringing her here.” He extends his hand for a shake. Derek takes it quickly and moves toward the door.
“Savi.” Derek flicks his head for me to follow.
“See you at four, Dad.”
“All right, dear.” He kisses my forehead. “Be careful. I love you, sweetheart.” He sounds so sincere my earlier uneasy feelings evaporate. Wow…it’s been a long time since my father uttered those words to me and meant them. There are no media here to make a show for.
“Me too.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Derek explodes as soon as we make our way across the street. “That guy is as fake as a three-dollar bill, Savi. What are we doing letting him call the shots here? Why—”
I cut him off. “Derek, it’s okay. We have no choice. My father was right. His office in broad daylight isn’t the right time.” Giving him a look, I walk away from him, my own thoughts in a jumble. It was such a shock seeing him again. I need time to process all this myself, and Derek doesn’t know my father and how complicated it is being in his position in the mayor’s office.
Derek starts making calls out on the patio as soon as we arrive at our hotel. Derek chose this hotel because it is so close to my father’s home. I stare out the window, seeing his penthouse condo across the street with its dark gray curtains. I always thought they were so heavy and dreary for the room, but he insisted on keeping them.
I shower and change into pants and a cream-colored blouse. I curl my hair and add earrings and a few bangles to my outfit. I may have been gone for some time, but I know my father will still expect me to dress appropriately, and I will not disappoint.
“Yes, honey, I’ll see you soon. I love you too.” Derek speaks quietly with his back to me.
I pick up my purse and slip the tiny phone into my bra. I didn’t know Derek was seeing someone. He must have noticed the look on my face because he smiles and rolls his eyes.
“She’s the prettiest brown-eyed girl I’ve ever met.” He laughs. “And now she’s begging me to bring her home a souvenir from New York.”
“Oh, really?” I grin. “You should stop by Draped in Lace. They have—”
His hands fly over his ears, cringing. “That’s not something I want to buy my six-year-old niece!”
“Oh!” I laugh. “In that case, the gift shop downstairs may have something.”
“That’s where we’re headed. I need your help.”
