Boy Issues - Morticia Knight Page 0,46
describe doesn’t make any sense if everyone already knows I’m gay.”
A thread of panic danced across her features. “Your father. Your father assumes, in almost the same way you have all these years, that he’s in control, that he has his finger on the pulse of everything. What everyone in our circles believe, how well the firm is still doing, everything.”
She crossed her arms. “Do you know he invited me out for a drink to set up our little arrangement?” She rolled her eyes. “He was so grief-stricken as he apologized for the shocking news he had to deliver, that in fact, his oldest son way gay.” She smacked a hand over her mouth in mock horror. “Then he begged me to give you a chance, swore me to secrecy and so on—said he wanted a grandchild and that I’d make beautiful babies. Offered me the world!”
Donovan groaned. “And your Oscar winning moment through all this bullshit was going to be the ‘I’m barren’, so you don’t have to get stuck actually fucking me, right?”
She grinned. “See? Win-win.”
He pressed his lips together. “No. Lose-lose. There’s so much losing involved with this ridiculous plan, that it’s making my brain hurt.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at him. “Yes, plenty of losing. For you. Because if you don’t go through with this, then you’ll be losing your inheritance.”
Donovan grunted. “Then why are you so anxious to go through with this nonsense? By your own words, the firm is circling the drain.”
“Sell it. It’s still worth billions, I’m sure. Or restructure. Or sell off the stock. But I’d move fast, given the speed of the drain-circling.” She gave him a smug smile. “And the only way you can do any of that is if you fulfill Daddy’s wishes by marrying me.”
Donovan cringed. “Please don’t refer to my father as Daddy. It’s seriously grossing me out.”
As if on cue, Donovan’s cell buzzed in his pocket. He had a damn good idea who was calling.
“Well?” She looked at him as if wondering why he wasn’t already on one knee and proposing.
Donovan clutched the vibrating phone in his pocket, caressing it as though Silver could feel his touch through the device.
“I have to go. I…I can’t do this right now.”
Before Charlotte could utter another word, Donovan rushed from the room, anxious to get somewhere—anywhere—so he could call Silver and beg his forgiveness. He needed his Papi’s advice, had to ask him what he should do, but how could he? How could he ask the man he wanted a true relationship with what to do about the woman who wanted him to marry her?
Donovan scurried past the valet station and around the corner. He spotted the notorious fountain but after curling his lip at the sight of the too-familiar structure, he opted for a bench outside the club restaurant that was closed due to the event. After glancing around to make sure no one was lurking nearby, he returned the Silver’s missed call, his hand shaking as he held the phone to his ear.
“Donovan.”
Silver didn’t sound very pleased. “Hey…” Donovan wiped sweat from his upper lip. “I’m so sorry. Something happened.”
“Are you all right?” This time, Silver’s tone was laced with concern.
“I know you had plans today, but is there any way… I mean…”
God, when had he ever sounded so needy? It was as if he’d never gone past the age of twelve and wasn’t running a corporation. Yet somehow, Silver had brought up all the pent-up, emotional loss and confusion he’d been stuffing down for decades.
“Donovan, answer me. Are you all right? Have you been hurt, are you in any danger?”
He almost snorted at how extreme Silver’s queries were, then realized his frantic behavior might be giving the wrong impression.
“No, no. Nothing like that. Look, I’m overreacting.” He frowned. “I think.” Donovan rubbed his brow, his whole world no longer making any sense to him. “It’s this event. Remember how I said my father insisted I be here?”
“Yeah, of course. And I know how insincere you find the whole proceeding to be, that no one actually gives a shit about the charity.”
“Um, yes. That’s true.” Donovan’s gut clenched, knowing he’d have to give Silver the whole story. “But there was more to it than that. I need to tell you something, but I don’t want to do it over the phone.”
“You’re welcome to come over here any time, Donovan. I know it’ll take a minute for you to completely embrace our roles, but I’m your Papi. I’m here