A Case of Extreme Mistaken Identity - Victorine E. Lieske Page 0,1
friends did this to her. Friends? Yeah, right. She’d been so naive. She didn’t have friends.
Shaking, Dani forced herself up and rummaged through her things until she found her makeup remover. It took fifteen minutes to get the junk off, and another half-hour to shower and make herself look halfway decent.
Her expensive makeup was totally ruined, so she couldn’t put any on. She hoped the large sunglasses she had would conceal that fact.
A wave of chest pain rose as she packed her things. What would happen when she left the room? Would anyone recognize her? Would she be mobbed like last time?
Her heart began to race, and she took in a calming breath. She was fine. She’d dealt with the paparazzi her whole life, being the daughter of Samuel Jordan, the famous actor. They were always lurking around the corner, ready to jump out and snap a photo of her. But she’d never had any problems at the Billionaire Club. It was hidden away on Grand Cayman, and exclusive enough that the paparazzi couldn’t get in. And most of the clientele didn’t want to be bothered, so the likelihood of anyone approaching her was slim.
But eventually, she would have to go out into public.
Her phone rang again, this time with her father’s ringtone. Oh, crap. He only called when he was furious. She tossed the last of her things into her suitcase and zipped it shut. Then she answered her phone.
“Daddy?”
“How could you have done this again, Dani? I thought you’d learned your lesson. Where are you?”
Tears stung her eyes as she tried to blink them back. Why was it always her fault? Didn’t it even cross his mind that maybe someone had done this to her? Manipulated her until they got what they wanted? “It was Victoria,” she said, lamely trying to explain what happened.
“Where are you?” he repeated. He didn’t even care what happened. All he wanted to do was call and yell.
“Grand Cayman.”
He swore, and she flinched. “This is unacceptable, Danica Marie.”
Oh, no. He was wielding her middle name. So not good. “I’m sorry,” she said, resorting to begging him for mercy. “It won’t happen again.” She knew it wouldn’t because she was never going to trust anyone for the rest of her life.
“I’m tired of this. I don’t know what to do with you.”
She knew what he should do. Hide her away for a while. Her mind started reeling. Why was she packing up and leaving? She was in the best hideaway spot she knew. She could stay at the Billionaire Club until the story blew over, and people didn’t care about it anymore.
The more she thought, the better she liked the idea. “Maybe I need a vacation.”
“Your whole life has been a vacation.” He sounded like he was outside. The wind whistled against the microphone.
“What does that mean?”
“You need to learn to stand on your own two feet. I’ve coddled you.”
Coddled her? What was he talking about? He was never around. Maybe the nanny pampered her. But not him. “Please, I just need a week or two—”
“Danica,” he said, his voice firm. “You have to get yourself out of this mess. I’m not going to do this any longer. It’s time you learned how to handle life.”
This sounded bad. She shifted her weight, staring out the glass patio door. Maybe she could tug on his heartstrings. “I’m sorry, Daddy,” she whispered, knowing that always got him to soften up.
“No. You can’t worm your way out of this. I’ve made up my mind. You’re cut off.”
What did he mean, cut off? Like, from everything? Her panic heightened, and she couldn’t breathe again. “What?”
“You’re on your own. I’m canceling your credit cards. No more using my private jet. I’m done enabling you.”
Was he insane? Her skin tingled and she grew dizzy. He was taking everything away from her. She was stranded. “How will I get home?” Her voice sounded small to her own ears, like she was a cartoon character.
“You’re going to have to get a job.”
Breathe. She needed air. But no matter how much she tried to force it, no air would come into her lungs. She couldn’t even think straight. Tears sprang to her eyes. “Daddy, I—”
“I’m sorry. I have to go. I hope you know I’m doing this for your own good. I love you. Good-bye.” Her father hung up, and she stood there, listening to a dead phone.
Dani gasped as her world crumbled around her. No credit cards? No jet? And now she