my survival, Mom? Better yet, what about my happiness?”
“I’ve discovered a person can force themselves to be happy under any given situation.”
“Happiness shouldn’t have to be forced.”
“I blame your grandfather for putting all these foolish ideas into your head. Being born a Donahue comes with certain costs that must be paid.”
“I refuse to pay them.”
“Then you’re only asking for trouble, Sloan Elizabeth. Not only for yourself but for any allies you drag into this mess.”
A lump formed in Sloan’s throat. “What do you mean?”
“What I mean is that your father can be ruthless. Please don’t drive him to be that way with not only you, but also with others you might befriend in your quest to disobey us. We know Harold called to make amends. He told us you’re being difficult with him, too. It’s time for you to stop this foolishness. Harold is coming to Phoenix and we expect you to be nice to him when he gets there.”
Like hell she would. Sloan was ready to end the call. She knew that nothing she said to her mother would get through to her, so there was no need to waste her time. “And it’s time for you and Dad to stop trying to control me. I won’t let you do it. Goodbye, Mom.” She clicked off the phone.
“I gather your folks still are causing problems.”
Sloan swiveled around in her chair to find Mercury standing in the office doorway.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Mercury said, coming to stand in the room.
Sloan glared at him. “Are you apologizing for eavesdropping, as well?”
He leaned against a file cabinet while remembering how Galen had described her to Eli. A sizzling-hot looker who was also prim and proper. He wholeheartedly agreed with the description and found it fascinating that any woman could be both.
“I didn’t have to eavesdrop. You were talking loud enough for the entire house to hear. Where are my parents, by the way?” He wasn’t ready to discuss the parts of her phone conversation that he’d heard and wished he hadn’t. Doing so would only make him mad about the things her mother had said.
“Your parents went out for the evening. They had a dinner date with another couple.”
“Probably the Connors,” Mercury said, thinking aloud. Deciding to return to his earlier comment, he said, “Sounds like your parents are trying to stir up trouble for you.”
She shifted in the chair, and that was when he noticed she had changed from the skirt and blouse she’d been wearing earlier to a pretty pink sundress. Why did the color pink make her look both sexy and feminine?
“A part of me wishes you hadn’t heard that, but in a way, I’m glad you did. Now you can explain to your mother why I left, when she returns.” Sloan stood. “I need to go pack.”
Mercury shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. “And just where do you think you’re going?”
She shrugged a nice pair of shoulders beneath the spaghetti straps of her dress. “Not sure, but I have to leave here. I don’t know how much of the conversation you heard, but if my father thinks you and your family are befriending me, he will cause problems for you.”
Mercury just stared at her. Did she honestly think his family needed to be protected against a man who was acting more like a bully than a father? Mercury had heard what her mother said about Sloan’s father’s ruthless side. He’d also heard there was a strong possibility her ex-fiancé was coming to town to talk her into going ahead with their wedding plans.
“I don’t know where I’m going, Mercury, but I need to leave here.”
He shook his head. “Honestly? In the middle of the night, with no place to go and no transportation to get there? And before you even think to ask me to take you anywhere, the answer is no.”
He watched her nibble on her bottom lip and wished like hell he didn’t feel a tightening in his gut. He didn’t like the way his thoughts were going