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I’d decided I wasn’t sneaking in anymore. It was just before shit went down and he lost the use of his legs. I’d wanted to make River and me official, so I showed up at the door..
Neil told me to get off his property, then he followed that up with telling me if he had a gun, he’d shoot me. I believed him. There wasn’t anything in his threat to not believe.
Had Neil not been my girlfriend’s father, I would have responded by telling him he should try it, and I’d fuck him up all six ways to Sunday. I’m glad I held my tongue because it was the week after that I found out that my device was the instrument used to steal his designs.
The next time I saw him, he was in his wheelchair, but he didn’t see me. Neither did anyone else. I wasn’t there to be seen.
God knows what kind of meeting we’ll have today.
I’ll have to lie through my teeth about myfake marriageto his daughter.
It’s strange I haven’t thought of the end yet, but I know it’s something I need to start thinking about. That will need to look more legit than us being together for both our sakes. Mine more because of my grandfather.
The sound of wheels against the pavement makes me turn.
It’s Neil.
He’s already looking at me, staring me down as he draws closer.
I feel guilty seeing him in that chair, and the nerves in my stomach knot so tightly I expect them to combust. It’s an odd feeling for me. I’m not a nervous person, but this man… he gives me all kind of nerves.
Probably because back when his designs were stolen, my initial instincts told me it had something to do with me. I knew the moment I saw the story on the news that something like that couldn’t just happen by accident.
You’d need someone like me to get into the system. I found out I was right when I tracked the activity of the hackers to try and establish how it all happened. Everything leaves a digital signature. No matter how well you clean it, people like me can find it.
The device they used took me straight back to its creation in my room at MIT.
That’s how I knew it was me.
Neil’s face hardens to stone when he reaches me. His expression is so tense he could pass for one of the statues around us, but I don’t let his I-don’t-want-to-be-here attitude bother me.
“Neil St. James. Thank you for coming out to meet with me.” I hold out my hand to shake his.
He looks at my hand as if it’s diseased, then waits for a few awkward seconds before extending his for a brief handshake.
I’m surprised he touched me. I suppose stranger things have happened.
“I’ve heard the news,” he puffs, and his skin reddens. “I assume you want to talk about my daughter.”
“Yes. I thought it was right that I speak with you. Out of respect.” Although I’d rather be pulling out my damn teeth. The man has the emotional range and personality of a rock.
“Wow, at the least we can agree on that. Although, I will tell you that you are poor choice for my daughter. You Grayson people only care about yourselves and your power over others. I never wanted my daughter mixed up with any of you.”
Well, damn, not even a minute into the conversation, and he’s already spoken his mind. Typical Neil. At least you know where you stand with him.
“I can assure you that your daughter will be well taken care of.”
“The internet is littered with articles about you. How am I supposed to believe someone like you can take care of my daughter?”
“Because I’m telling you.” I use the firm tone I normally reserve for my staff. “I’m also a changed man.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.” He squints and tilts his head. “Jericho Grayson, one of the things I’ve always wanted for my daughter is marriage for love.”
I grit my teeth and straighten. I wanted River to have that, too. With the sordid views I have on marriage, I always ask myself what I would have wanted for us eventually had she and I stayed together.
At twenty-one, marriage was the furthest thing from my mind. All I knew when I left for college was that I wanted my girl with me.
“I had real love with her mother. River will remember that,” Neil continues.
