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“I’ve done everything you’ve asked, including getting us one step closer to reeling in the Huisman Foundation. And I sent you the new numbers for the smart inhaler project. I need you to understand that there’s only so far a person can be pushed, and I’m almost there.”
Another long pause. “All right. I suppose you have done the things I’ve asked so a little reward can’t hurt. You know this life doesn’t have to be terrible. You’re a stubborn boy, Darren. If you settled down and relaxed into your role, you might find this life quite pleasant. You have the best of everything.”
“Except the ability to live my own life.”
“If I had another heir who could do the job, I assure you I would take the option, but your brother is a fucking mess. Do you think I want my name carried on by the son of a whore?”
Rage threatened to swamp him. “I’m hanging up now, and you can fuck yourself.”
“Darren, stop. I’m sorry.” Those were two words he’d never heard from his father unless they were being used ironically. “I’m under some stress here. I shouldn’t have said that. You’re good at your job, and you deserve some slack. Have fun with the woman you met. Hell, take her with you to the Blue Mountains and maybe she can distract Oakley long enough you can get away with the prize. Huisman is working on some innovative tech, and I want a piece of it. You should, too. Your siblings are expensive, you know. At some point they’ll marry and have kids, and they’ll look to you to take care of them, too. I know you think I’m some kind of monster, but I do what I do to keep this family afloat. The world isn’t a utopia where good wins out in the end. You’ve got to be ruthless because the only thing anyone cares about is money. When you get back, if you bring me Huisman, we can talk about you having more freedom.”
He knew when his father was placating him, but it worked in his favor this time. He let a moment go as though he was seriously considering the offer. He wasn’t. All the offer would do was buy him the time he needed. “All right. Maybe we can talk.”
“Excellent.”
He had a couple of questions, and if his father seemed to be in a giving mood, he would take it. “Did you ask Brian to meet with the Halo group?”
“Brian? Why would I talk to Brian? If Halo needs someone, I expect you to be there. Is something wrong?”
“Not at all. Just a miscommunication.” So Brian had lied about a lot of things. “One last question. Oakley mentioned a group we own that he’s interested in. One I’m not familiar with. What does Tandy Medical research?”
“Tandy?” His father seemed surprised, and then the line went quiet. “Nothing of import. I believe they’re doing some vaccine research. Can’t think of a reason Oakley would be interested. He’s got enough of that on his own. Don’t worry about it. I’ll look into it. You concentrate on Huisman.”
His father was worried. He knew when his father’s voice lost all expression that he was hiding something. There was something about Tandy he didn’t want Dare to know about.
Was Tandy his escape hatch?
“Of course. We’re going to Oakley’s in a couple of days. I’ll keep you posted.”
“See that you do.” His father hung up.
“That seemed intense. Sure you don’t want that drink?” Nate asked.
“No.” He needed something else. He needed Tasha. He needed his sweet, bratty sub. “Let’s go upstairs and get ready for tonight.”
And tomorrow he would figure out what his father was hiding.
Chapter Twelve
“Do we have to keep him buckled up like that?” Kenzie paced in the small viewing room at The Station, her eyes on the man in the confinement area.
Brian—whatever his real name was—sat slumped on a modified bench, his arms and legs strapped down. And spread, since the bench had been modified for sex. Not that he was ready for it. He was perfectly clothed, and no one would be taking advantage of the wanton way his hot bod was strapped in.
Not even her sister.
“Uh, did you see the way he took out that guy outside the elevator?” Tristan asked. The team was all here for this debacle. “I think we definitely should keep him restrained. You know what Big Tag says. Restraints are how we show the enemy we love them.”
Another of her father’s rules. “How long before he’s awake? Nate is bringing Dare here in twenty minutes, and he won’t want to wait long. He’ll get antsy if he doesn’t see me.”
“Which is precisely why you should have gone back.” Zach was a forbidding presence.
They were huddled up in one of The Station’s rooms kept for their voyeuristic clients. Brian was in the room where the people would “perform” for the audience behind the two-way mirror.
