Page 151 of Dirty Rival
“I’ll grab it,” Reid says, but when he tries to stand, I catch his arm.
“No,” I say a bit too sharply.
He casts me an equally sharp look. “What just happened?”
“It’s my father.”
Understanding touches his expression. “He knows,” he says as my phone stops ringing.
“Obviously, or he wouldn’t be calling,” I say.
“You have to talk to him sooner or later.”
“I know,” I say. “But right now, I just want to be with my future husband.”
Reid’s phone starts ringing and he fishes it from his pocket, glances at the number and doesn’t even hesitate. “It’s your father and yes, I’m taking it.” He stands up and answers the call.
Chapter seventy-three
Reid
“Did you call to congratulate us?” I ask, answering Mr. West’s call and crossing to the connecting dining room off the living area where I stand at the window, the Tokyo night lights dotting the otherwise dark night.
“You will not marry my daughter.”
“I am, in fact, marrying your daughter,” I say, tension radiating down my spine. Why can this man not just be happy for his daughter?
“You told her about our deal,” he accuses, trying to set me up. “You broke our agreement.”
“I didn’t tell Carrie anything and I did so with the risk of losing her, the woman I love. My understanding is your new woman told her.”
“We both know you told her. I’m going to sue you. I’m going to take everything you own.”
“Do you really want to travel this path, because if you do—”
“You’ll ruin your future wife’s father? That’s going to go over well, now isn’t it? I might lose, but you’ll lose her.”
“You’ll lose her,” I say. “And isn’t that what all your secrets were about? Not losing her? Or was it simply about your pride?”
“You’re a real prick, Reid Maxwell.”
“I am,” I say. “Remember that because if you come at me, you’re coming at Carrie, and you will not like the results.” I disconnect, anger churning in my gut.
“What was that?” Carrie demands, stepping between me and the glass. “Did he just threaten you?”
My hands come down on Carrie’s arms. “Relax, baby. I’ll handle this.”
“He’s my father. You’re the man I love. I don’t know what to do next. Did he threaten to come after your company? Your assets?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my God.” She tries to move away.
I grab her arms. “Carrie, easy, baby.”
“No,” she says. “No ‘easy, baby.’ Don’t do that to me. And he’s not doing this to us. This has to end.” She pulls away from me and I know her well enough not to push her right now, let alone try to control her, which I’d prefer. There’s a monster in the room and it’s bigger than she thinks.
She grabs her phone and dials her father. “He’s not answering,” she says after a brief pause. “Reid, he’s not answering.” She disconnects and dials him again. “Still not answering,” she repeats a minute later. She grimaces and leaves a message. “You come at Reid, you come at me and I will fight by his side. I’ve told you this. Don’t become my enemy. Don’t make that who we are.” She hangs up and dials another number. It clearly goes to voicemail and she leaves yet another message. “Anthony, let me be clear with you, if you participate in any action against Reid, I will make sure any benefit you might get beyond what you already have with the convention center doesn’t happen. I will cause you pain in ways you didn’t think I was capable of.” She hangs up and by the time she does, I’m standing in front of her.