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The line clicks, but my dad doesn’t say a word. I only know he accepted my call because of his light breathing.
Annoyance rushes through me. I don’t know if he’s ever been this cold, and I know it’s because I disappointed him, but he disappointed me as well.
“Daddy...” I clear my throat and rub my fingers together, my anxiety through the roof and tightening my chest. I know what I should say, but it’s as if I lost my voice.
Don’t cry. Don’t fucking cry.I chant the words over and over as I try to gather my shaking nerves.
“Daddy, someone drugged me at the club last night, and I woke up in the penthouse with a dead man beside me. I think someone is trying to set our family up. What do you want me to do?” There. I said it. I told him what happened without accepting blame or pointing out the fact that I embarrassed him last night.
I expect him to start yelling. I expect him to hang up on me. What I don’t expect is for him to release a long sigh and groan.
“Stacia, are you okay? Are you hurt?” Daddy asks, his deep voice cracking with emotions I’m not used to. “Where are you now?”
“I’m...” I flick my gaze to Talon. I don’t want him to get in trouble.
He nods his head, encouraging me to speak.
I clear my throat for the millionth time. “I’m at Talon’s apartment. Outside. He won’t open the door if he’s home.” It’s as if my lie comes out like the truth, the words easy to say as my protectiveness toward Talon clicks on to reciprocate his toward me. Because he shouldn’t have anything to do with me while I am being shunned.
“You should’ve come home. You know what you did last night has consequences, Stacia. I understand why you did it, but you know our ways. Some things just have to be fucking done even if you don’t want to. It’s the cost of our lifestyle.” Again, my dad’s voice cracks, and he clears it. “I’m sorry for not thinking things through more clearly. I didn’t expect for him to bombard you like that. I thought he was smarter. But regardless, I want you to know that you can always come home. I’m your dad. You don’t need to drag Talon into things. He hates that shit.”
Talon glares and shakes his head, denying my dad’s comment. We both know how he hates our relationship. I think Dad feels threatened by his business partner, and he thinks that Talon might treat me like a daughter, totally missing the fact that it’s not even close to being like that. For one, Talon is hot. He’s never treated me like a daughter in any way and more like a friend. Yeah, he’s older—not old enough to be my dad—but that doesn’t mean shit. He’s nothing like my dad. Daddy would have a coronary if he knew how often I thought about banging his business partner and friend.
Or the fact that I purposely tease Talon any chance I get.
“He was closer, and I thought that you guys might’ve been together. You always are after a meeting.” I’m not wrong. I’m actually surprised that they weren’t together.
“Talon had business to handle this morning with one of the heirs,” Daddy says.
I can’t stop myself from looking past Talon to stare at Esteban, quietly studying me. It’s hard to forget he’s in the room. There’s something obnoxiously loud and distracting about his presence. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like it. No one should be able to hold part of my attention without my permission.
“Oh.” It’s all I can manage to say.
“But since you’re there, I’ll call him and give him permission to speak with you. I want him to bring you straight to the Looking Glass. We’ll handle everything else after our emergency meeting.” Daddy grumbles under his breath something I can’t make out. I think he’s talking to someone else. “Be prepared, Stacia. You know we have another king in town, and you’ve given me no choice but to make an example to show that we don’t approve of disrespect. But don’t worry. I’ll do my best to give you a choice with your consequence. I’ll see you soon, daughter.”
Daddy hangs up without another word, and I clutch my stomach as my heart sinks toward my feet. Fuck my life. Fuck Christos. I have never wanted to murder someone so much until this moment. I wish it was him who was found dead in my bed. It would’ve been the first time I’d hoped that I was at fault.
I turn away from Talon and Esteban, shuffling toward the bathroom. I need a moment alone. I need a moment to break.
Talon follows behind me, his shadow growing on the wall. “Stacia, wait. Let me—”
His phone rings, stopping him in his tracks.
I slam the bathroom door shut in his face and lock it.
Sliding to the floor, I curl in on myself. I never expected this day to come. I never expected to want to run away from my privileged life.
Unfortunately, I can’t escape the Society of Secrets. I’m in for life.
It’s either accept my punishment and move on or let this life consume me until I’m nothing.
But I’m stronger than that.
I’ll prove that I’m unbreakable.
I will not let them push me down.
7
