and disappointment and anger in my dad’s brown eyes.
“I screwed up,” I whisper, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m so sorry.”
My dad sighs dramatically and places his glasses back on his face, stressfully running a hand through his black and gray hair. “Elizabeth…I don’t understand. You’re not even seeing anyone, for Christ’s sake. Who else have you told?”
Emotion stings behind my eyes, and I try my best to push down the lump in my throat. “Just Noah. Nobody else.”
He stands up, his six-foot frame feeling even more intimidating than usual. “Who’s the father, Ellie? Did something happen? Do you have some sort of secret boyfriend? I mean, my God, you’ve only been back in South Florida for a couple of weeks. I…” I can hear him trying to suppress the panic in his voice.
“It’s not…” I will myself not to cry even though my emotions are breaking to the surface.
Christopher Vice detests weakness.
“He’s no one you would know,” I say, the slight lie tasting bitter on my tongue. My dad knows all the players on the Riders. “It was a stupid mistake, Dad. I’m not dating anyone. It was just…”
He holds up a hand. “Okay. I don’t want to hear the details, Ellie. Christ. Will he be in the picture? That’s what I need to know. Because we have to make a plan. We have to figure out how to keep you safe, healthy, and cared for. And run our company and prepare to raise a new baby with you being a single mother. Is he going to be in the picture?”
The question—so direct and pointed and scary—shakes me to my core. I suck in a breath to respond, but the words get trapped. All I know about the guy who knocked me up is that he plays for the NFL team my family just bought, he has an endearing and sexy smile, and his name is Matt.
It was a one-night stand a month ago. There’s an obvious answer to my dad’s question, and that’s what I go with.
“No.”
“All right, then.” My father nods, pacing with purpose. He’s rubbing his palms together, still grappling with the news, but in the most businesslike way imaginable.
Feeling small again and slightly overwhelmed, I stand up, not sure if I’m waiting for a punishment or a lecture or another deep sigh of shock and disappointment. I brush off my pencil skirt and anxiously await the next words from my father, feeling like the world is melting and swimming underneath me.
I’ve never wanted to get on a plane and fly away from my troubles more than I do right now. That’s what I’ve always done. But this time, it’s not an option.
“Okay. Okay.” He steadies his voice and meets my gaze, and I can practically see the wheels of logic and rationality and problem-solving turning in his enormous brain. “This is what we’re going to do.”
“You already have a plan?” I ask under my breath.
“Of course,” he says sharply. “Vices always have a plan.”
“This isn’t a business deal, Dad. This isn’t some company acquisition. This is my life…” I hold a hand lightly to my stomach. “This is its life,” I whisper.
My dad pushes his glasses up on his nose and glares at me sternly. “Listen, Elizabeth, we are going to keep this under wraps for now. Family business stays private, at least for the time being. Your safety is priority number one, and of course we will plan for twenty-four-hour childcare and constant help and support once the child is born. No international travel, no wild and crazy adventures. You’re still going to work, of course. And once the baby comes, we’ll figure out how we can restructure your life in a way you see fit to be a single mother and a working professional.”
I swallow hard and nod.
“You’ll be grounded in South Florida for the duration of the pregnancy. That way, you can stay under our constant watch and observation. And when things start becoming…” He dips his head and gives me an uncomfortable look. “Obvious, we’ll figure out how to approach the subject with people outside the family. I want you safe, and I want us to make a plan. Your mother and I will have no problem hiring constant care for a baby once you’re back to work.”
“Did you say…grounded?” I spit out the question, the floor rocking under my feet.
“Yes. You can’t be traveling all over the world as our head PR rep when you need to