Seduced By A Steele (Forged of Steele #12) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,66

woman? Do you think he will make you anything other than his whore? You’d rather be a man’s whore than his wife?”

He paused as if he needed a moment to catch his breath before continuing. “Regardless of what you told Harold about Mercury Steele being your fiancé, his reputation proves he’s not going to be any woman’s husband. If you think he will marry you, then you are a fool. Your mother and I raised you for more than being some man’s kept woman.”

That was the third time he’d referred to her as being a kept woman. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Her father’s features suddenly changed, and his mouth actually seemed to twitch in amusement. As if it suddenly occurred to him that he knew something she didn’t. “You don’t know, do you?”

“I don’t know what?”

“That you aren’t the independent woman you think you are. You left home because you thought your mother and I were being manipulative and you wanted your freedom and didn’t want to be dependent on anyone. Yet you are dependent on Mercury Steele.”

She frowned. Evidently that detective agency he retained had found out about the twenty-thousand-dollar loan Mercury had made to her. “So, he loaned me money to help get me on my feet. Big deal. I am paying him back.”

“What about that car you’re driving and this apartment. Both are in his name.”

“They aren’t.”

“Yes, they are.”

Sloan’s frown deepened. That wasn’t true, but she didn’t have the paperwork to prove otherwise because Mercury hadn’t given any documents to her.

What if her father’s claim was true?

She refused to believe it because, of all people, Mercury knew how much she wanted her independence. Why would he keep something like that from her?

“So, what do you have to say to that, Sloan Elizabeth?”

When she didn’t reply because she was still reeling, in his authoritative voice he said, “Now do what you’re told and go pack. I’ve reserved a ticket in your name. Our flight leaves for Cincinnati in three hours.”

“I hate to disappoint you, Mr. Donahue, but Sloan isn’t going anywhere with you.”

Sloan jerked around to find Mercury standing by the door. Legs braced apart with his arms folded over his chest, he had a fierce look on his face. How did he get in when she’d locked the door? Then she saw the key in his hand. A key to her apartment that she hadn’t given him. At that moment she knew her father had been telling the truth.

Twenty-One

Mercury refused to look at Sloan’s father. The man was of no significance, but his daughter was, and Mercury’s gaze was trained on her. She meant everything to him and he refused to let anyone, including her father, devalue her or put ideas in her head about her meaning nothing to him.

When he saw the pain in her eyes, he knew his mistake had been in not telling her the truth weeks ago. “It’s time you left, Mr. Donahue.”

“Oh, I guess you do have the right to put me out since this apartment is leased to you and not to my daughter.”

Mercury ignored the man’s words. “We need to talk privately,” he said to Sloan.

“My daughter has nothing to say to you.”

Mercury glanced at the other man. Mercury knew his gaze reflected the anger he felt. “Sloan can speak for herself.” He had a mind to kick the man out, literally, but figured even if he was an ass, he was Sloan’s father.

“You’re right—she can, and I’m sure she will make the right decision.” The older man then moved to Sloan. “I’m going back to the airport and will wait for you. Here’s your ticket,” he said, placing the ticket on the coffee table. “I expect you to make that plane with me, Sloan Elizabeth.”

Carter H. Donahue then walked to the door and slammed it shut behind him.

Mercury couldn’t help but stare at the door the man had just walked out of, not believing what he’d witnessed. No wonder Sloan had needed to escape