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I wasn’tafraid of my father. I’d seen how he wielded power my entire life. He taught me those skills. Trained me to take over the business. I couldn’t fear what I know so intricately.
I’d seen him cut men to their knees with quiet words. I’d seen terror cover their faces when they realized Raphael Corban had them by the balls. He couldn’t make me cower. I only hoped Paul could hold his own because he was going to need all the backbone and spine he could muster to tell my father we lost the Vieux Carre.
Chapter14
Kennedy
Iflopped on my bed, kicking the high heels that matched my dress to the floor. I was supposed to feel triumphant. We had won. But all I felt was shaky and uncertain. That look on Knight’s face on the steps outside the bank. It almost made me crumble. Almost.
There was something in the way he looked at me that had nothing to do with business and everything to do with regret. I could see it. The darkness. The endless spiral of guilt. The plea to make it right. I pulled a pillow under my face to block out the thoughts clouding my judgment.
He had gotten under my skin. He was in my head. I thought about his lips and his fingertips. I didn’t forget the hurt. The humiliation. I hadn’t forgotten how he cast me out of his apartment like a whore. I’d never forget that moment. Only, I couldn’t figure out which draw was stronger—the need to feel his breath. To look in his eyes again. Or the feeling that I was nothing but useless baggage, weighing him down. An obstacle to kick out of the way. I struggled to weigh the emotions. I was drowning in them. Tumbling through the darkness Knight had laid at my feet.
I lifted my head when I heard the knock on my door. “Miss Martin?”
“Yes,” I squeaked.
“Your father says dinner is at six.”
“Okay.” I couldn’t stop the hard lump in the back of my throat from forming.
“He wants you to dress up. He’s taking you out,” Tammy reported.
My ears perked, and the pit in my stomach finally bottomed out. “What?”
“Dinner at six. In the city.”
“Thank you,” I called through the closed door.
I couldn’t remember the last time my father and I had gone anywhere together in public. I knew he was pleased with the auction result. But this? It was a display of family pride I didn’t expect. I scrambled off the bed and walked straight to my closet to pick out a dress. I had to put Knight Corban behind me. The Martins had made their mark on the city. It wasn’t a day that would be forgotten anytime soon. By anyone.
* * *
“Dad,how did you find this place?” I asked over my menu.
He smiled. He rarely looked happy. “Did you think your father didn’t know the good place in New Orleans?”
“Of course not.” I grinned, but it faded when a tray of oysters was presented.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No. No. I like them. I just…” I didn’t want to admit that I’d had oysters once and it was a memorable night with Knight.
“Supposed to be the best in the city.” He was delighted with himself. I didn’t correct him. I knew where the best oysters were. And they weren’t in a fancy restaurant. They were in a dive outside of town I’d never be able to find again.
“I’m sure they’re wonderful.” I held one of the shells in my hand.
“You know this dinner is a celebration.” His eyebrows were high on his forehead.
“Oh?”
“You know this is about the hotel. I’m very proud of you, Kennedy.”
My chest warmed. “It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad you got the Vieux Carre, Dad.”
He tucked the linen napkin at his collar. He had to wiggle his tie to make space. “There’s something I think you should know about the arrangements. About how everything fell into place. Now that it’s official. You should see the total picture.”
We took a second to wait while the glasses of champagne were poured by our server.
