Inevitable - Kristen Granata Page 0,23
spite me?”
“In a heartbeat.”
He ends the call, and I drop the phone onto the kitchen counter, trying to swallow the acidic lump lodged in my throat.
How is that man even related to me? He’s a sick fuck. He’s—
“Graham, are you okay?” Eva’s gentle voice pulls me out of my head.
I reply with a tight nod.
She steps closer to me and runs her hands down my arms. “Are you sure? You’re shaking.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, inhaling her fresh flowery scent. “I’m okay. Just got off the phone with my father.”
She grimaces. “That bad?”
“You have no idea.”
“Well, he’s gone for now. Did you eat enough? Rosalie is gone until lunchtime, but I can whip up something else if you’re still hungry.”
I gaze down at her gorgeous face, taking in the cream-colored sweater dress that’s hugging her curves, along with the black choker and combat boots to spice it up like she always does.
My head and my heart are all mixed up. My body’s in the middle of a civil war, and either way, I lose.
My hand moves of its own volition and comes up to caress her cheek. “You’re beautiful, Eva.”
She leans into my touch, closing her eyes for a moment. “It’s a new dress.”
I shake my head and tip her chin up to make sure she’s looking at me when I tell her, “It’s not the dress.”
Her cheeks flush as she pulls back. “Okay, Big Guy. No more compliments until I’ve had at least two more cups of coffee.”
Eva doesn’t deserve this. This has nothing to do with her, my father’s vendetta against hers. Yet she’s the one who’ll be caught in the crossfire in the end.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s playing the part of Juliet in this twisted tragedy.
After another day at The Waldorf, Eva and I step off the elevator onto her floor.
“Don’t you get bored out here all by yourself?” she asks, turning the key in her door and pushing it open.
I shrug. “Part of the job.”
“Why don’t you come in?”
“I don’t want to intrude if your dad’s in there.”
“Evangeline,” Mr. Montalbano calls. “Tell Graham to come inside. I need to speak with him.”
Eva waggles her eyebrows at me and swings the door open wider. “Come on in, Big Guy.”
Montalbano shakes my hand as I enter his home. “Graham, I’m taking a business trip for the next few days. The car is waiting downstairs. My flight leaves in a few hours. I want you to stay here with my Evangeline while I’m gone. You’ll be compensated, of course.”
“Yes, sir.”
“There’s a guest bedroom you’ll stay in. I don’t want you leaving my daughter’s side while I’m gone.”
“Understood.”
He turns to wrap Eva in a hug, as she rolls her eyes behind his back. “I love you. I’ll see you in a few days when I get back.”
“Safe trip,” she says dryly. “Come on, Big Guy. Let’s go find you something to eat.”
Montalbano watches her walk away before returning his dark eyes to me. “How are things going?”
“Fine, sir. She’s been working hard for the fundraiser.”
He offers me a sad smile. “She’s stronger than all of us. I wish she didn’t feel like she has to be. I wish she’d let me be her Dad like she used to.”
I slip my hands into my pockets, unsure of what to say. “Pain forces us to grow up sooner than we’d like.”
His head tilts as he peers up at me. “You sound like you know about pain.”
I nod. “Yes, sir.”
“Dad,” Eva calls from the end of the hallway. “Don’t you have a plane to catch?”
He sighs. “See you soon. Be safe.”
I lock the door behind him, and meet Eva at the other end of the hall.
“Looks like we’re having a slumber party.” She flashes me a wicked grin, and I follow behind her, letting the sway of her ass in that cream dress lead the way.
“Dad always gives the staff time off while he’s away, so it’s just you and me.” She yanks open the refrigerator door and peers inside. “What are you in the mood for?”
You.
I tug her elbow and push the door closed. “Why don’t you go take that bath you’ve been dying for? I’ll make dinner.”
Her eyebrows hit her hairline. “You know how to cook?”
“I know how to do lots of things, Eva.”
She cranes her neck as she lifts onto her toes and plants a kiss on my cheek. Her mouth lingers next to my ear when she lowers her voice and says,