Fraud (Antihero Inferno #2) - Lily White Page 0,116
room.
Sunlight glints off the engagement ring on my finger as I shut the car door. I laugh thinking that only Gabriel would buy an actual two-carat diamond to use as a prop to abduct me back in Miami. The man never cuts corners and is willing to go all out if it means he gets what he wants.
I’m approaching the front door when it’s pulled open. Glancing up, I expect to see Harrison in his pressed butler uniform. Instead, I lock eyes with my old driver.
“Scott?”
His gaze cuts to mine, something unsaid rolling behind it. He doesn’t acknowledge me as he runs past, but I spin and grab his arm to stop him.
“I thought you quit. Why are you here?”
His head is shaved close, a military style cut that makes sense for him considering he’s ex-military.
“Just grabbing my last paycheck,” he answers, easily pulling his arm from my grasp.
Except, that’s funny because my family only pays their employees in direct deposit. My brows crash together at the lie, but I say nothing.
When Scott reaches his car and is climbing in to the driver’s seat, a familiar voice says my name.
“Miss Callahan. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
I turn to Harrison and smile. “I hope my father is home. He’s not expecting me.”
Kind brown eyes glimmer down at me, his gaze dropping to my hand. “You have a habit of being unexpected.”
It’s obvious Harrison’s already excited to witness whatever chaos I leave in my wake this time. But then, I’ve always been his favorite entertainment.
He opens the door wider to let me through. “Your father is in his office.”
“What’s his mood today? Green zone or red?”
“Let’s go with yellow. He was happy to see you’d broken off your engagement to Mr. Dane, however I’m sure his happiness won’t last.”
Harrison pointedly glances at the ring and smiles.
Turning to him, I poke a finger against his chest. “You take far too much joy in me being a fuck-up.”
“It keeps things entertaining.”
Sighing, I turn to the stairs and mumble, “Might as well get this over with.”
My skirt flutters around my legs as I run up the stairs to the second floor. Marching towards Dad’s office, my heels are a steady click against the marble floors, my heart dropping into my stomach when his double doors come into view.
I press my ear to the door to see if he’s on the phone. Hearing nothing, I knock and wait for his deep voice.
“Come in.”
Slowly turning the knob, I expect the hinges to creak in the usual haunted house way, but they’re silent. My father glances up as soon as I peek my head inside, the smile I flash him not returned.
I’ve always loved my father’s office. Despite being large, it’s the perfect reading nook that carries the scent of old books.
Dark oak bookshelves line every wall except for where the floor to ceiling window looks out over the gardens, and another wall with a gas-burning fireplace that is always lit.
Dad’s large desk takes up most of the space, situated in the center of the room with two comfortable wingback chairs facing it.
Unfortunately, the relaxing vibe is lost when my father’s dark stare locks to mine, his mouth already tight with disapproval.
He leans back in his chair and assesses me like an attorney about to cross-examine a key witness.
“Have a seat, Ivy.”
Holding my hand against my skirt, I do my best to hide the ring. This conversation will be easier if I don’t start with the news that I’m marrying Gabriel. Then again, it’s the perfect opening to ask why the fuck I was promised to him when I was nine.
We’re not seventeenth century royalty. The days of marrying off your daughter as a bid to blend power and money is long past, and I’m not too happy to hear my father had even considered such a thing.
Dad runs a hand through his dark hair, his stare pinning me in place.
“I saw that you made the news again. I found it telling that my own daughter couldn’t at least call to give me the warning. Especially considering this is the second time it’s happened.”
Folding my hands in my lap, I keep the ring covered and borrow the same excuse Gabriel used with his father.
“I’ve been busy. A girl has to find a job when she’s suddenly cut off from her bank accounts and kicked out of her home.”
Okay, so maybe I added to the excuse, but it’s warranted. Dad must have believed I’d come crawling back