“It’s not what I said, it’s what he thinks he saw… He saw you with Liam this morning. And after I told him you were choosing Liam last night. He thought you had—”
She doesn’t have to finish. I know what he thought, what he’d be feeling right now. I let out a calming breath and lick my lips. “You said you needed my help. Explain, because you were willing to ruin his life twenty-four hours ago. Why should I trust you now?”
Her features harden, and she looks cold, like a force to be reckoned with.
“Because in times of war, I’m always on my brother’s side. He’s the only family I have, and I will protect him.”
My brows draw together. She’s being sincere, and that’s far more scary than any other version of Caroline.
“He went to Red Oak and almost put Paul in a coma. He’s out of control, drinking, destroying his library at home, all because nothing matters anymore—he’s done too much damage. It’s a matter of time before the press finds out. But he won’t listen to us. It’s taken Kai and Liam to keep him contained, but we need him to relax, so we can fix this, and all he wants is you.”
Me. My chest feels heavy with the desire to go to him, kiss away his anger, and tell him I love him, but how can I forgive that easy? He knows I can’t.
“What do you expect from me? He treated me like dirt. Broke my heart today. It’s still unforgivable, even knowing what I do. I can’t help you.”
“Then you aren’t the woman he thinks you are.”
Her words hit me like a brick. Caroline and I stand in silence, her eyes searching mine as I decide how to answer. What kind of woman am I? The question rolls around and around in my mind without an answer because, truth is, I don’t know.
Some days I’m so lost it feels like I could never find my way home, and then other days, I feel like I’ve found the key to the universe and only the sky’s the limit. But the one truth I know is that the only woman I want to be is one who’s with him, because he’s my home. I’m never lost when I’m with him, and he’s the person who lets me fly but keeps us both still attached to the ground.
And I’m that for him. I’m his calm. His first friend. His last thought before he goes to bed. And his only love. I always have been. But I’m not his doormat. I’ll help him because nobody brings Grey to his knees but me.
I reach inside my pocket, swallowing hard as I dial the number and bring it to my ear. Caroline looks worried, lines forming between her eyes. I can’t help but smirk. It’s fun keeping her on her toes.
“Vic, wake my father. I need him to suppress a story. Across all platforms. It doesn’t get out, and when he refuses, let him know I’m not asking. I think it’s the least he could do for me.”
Hanging up, I stare back at Caroline. “Now take me to Grey. He has amends to make, and you can fill me in on everything I need to know on the way. “
Caroline and I are in the back of a limo, heading to her house, her knee bouncing from nerves as my father and I negotiate on speaker.
“This is ludicrous and immature. You expect me to stop a story because why? You have a crush on Grey McCallister? No. Donovan, that’s not how the ‘real world’ works.”
He has to be kidding. What would he know about the real world? He’s a closed-off elitist who doesn’t even have a heart. Miles Kennedy might be worse than the devil.
I cross my legs, staring out the window, into the empty sidewalks. “What I feel for Grey has no bearing on this conversation. I would appreciate your assistance, but I’m willing to take your help forcefully if need be.”
He laughs, loudly, the condescending tone clear. It’s a mistake not to take me seriously. I won’t bend and mold myself into a smaller version to be overlooked and forgotten anymore. He will listen. And he will do what I’m asking.
“Do you think I’m afraid of a child? Of my own daughter?”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “I’m surprised you can still pronounce the word, Father. I would think it would seem foreign in your mouth. This isn’t a game. There are serious stakes. And if you want to pretend to be my father, then act like one. I’ll give you a hint…they listen and help.”
A heavy breath filters through the phone as I wait for him to answer.
“You have three minutes of my time. That’s more generous than I am with most others.”
Caroline’s eyes are fixed on my face, more worried than I’ve ever seen her. It’s strange to think she’s capable of caring about anyone other than herself, but tonight’s been all about surprises.
“Evan McCallister shouldn’t be allowed to take this company from Grey. It was his mother’s dying wish that Grey have those shares. Evan isn’t one of us. And he definitely isn’t a McCallister.”
My words are cruel, but namesakes and legacies appeal to men like my father, so that’s where I’ll start.
“I don’t care about that. Their family isn’t important to mine.”
Yes, he is.
“No, but you do care about your reputation being soiled. I can only imagine the waves I could make selling a story about an attempted date rape involving your promiscuous, drug-using daughter and Paul Hearst. You might own most of media, but most isn’t all. Now, if you do what I ask, we can avoid all that scandal. Because what was it that you said to me when I came back? Oh yeah, ‘public opinion is the nectar of the gods, and the only thing that can sour the taste is scandal.’”
He’s silent, but I can hear him breathing. I twist to look at Caroline, who’s looking at me with an expression of awe, mouth open and pulled into a half smile, eyes wide. “Give me your phone,” I mouth to Caroline. But she shakes her head, pulling herself together. I reach out, palm up, and hook my fingers, beckoning.
“Donovan. I’m—”
“Hold on,” I say to my father, cutting him off and placing my phone on mute as I glare at her. “Open your phone and give it to me. I need the photo you took.”
She’s white as a ghost, stumbling over her words. “What? What photo?”
I would love to savor this moment, but we don’t have time.
“The photo of me and Paul…when he tried to kiss me. I knew I saw a flash.” She starts to shake her head, but I give her a smirk. “Nobody else would care, except for you.” Her eyes narrow, and she looks like an animal that’s been cornered. “Don’t lose your cool now, kitten.”
Ooo, if looks could kill. Caroline doesn’t lose often, that’s obvious. Her fingers press on the screen as the face lights up, and she opens her photos, my phone vibrating only moments later.
“You’ve never been in my league. But it’s been cute to watch you try and keep up.” Her head lowers slightly as I type out a message on my own phone and turn my attention back to my call, taking it off mute. “Father.”
“I’m here. Plotting more?”
I laugh at the accuracy of his statement before saying, “Look at your phone.”
Caroline and I sit in silence, waiting for him to respond. I’m prepared for every possible reaction except the one I get.
“Dear God, Donovan. Why didn’t you come to me? Are you okay? Did more happen than this photo?”