Page 43 of A Forever Love
That slimy bastard Shawn, who has remained silent throughout Jason’s speech, suggests, “Why don’t you bring her to the fall gala this weekend? It’s taking place here in Cherrywood. I’m sure you haven’t thrown away the invitation.”
“That sounds like a great idea.” Jason slams his hand over the table in agreement.
“She’s not particularly fond of social events.” I try to maneuver out of the situation, but Jason holds up a finger before I can elaborate further.
“Everyone from the award selection committee will be attending. It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase the side of your personality that no one is familiar with, Carter.” Jason rises from his seat after finishing his Scotch and gives my shoulder a friendly pat.
I’m not naive to the fact that my attendance at the weekend gala has turned into a non-negotiable all of a sudden.
Shawn Hades waits, and as Jason moves out of earshot, he leans in. “She’s not your girlfriend, right? Rumor has it, she’s the daughter of someone at Kings Security, and she’s here as a short-term intern.”
“You bastard.” Before I can get up and grab his collar, Hades steps back.
“Don’t even think about it, Carter. I don’t want to cause a scene now, as I’m looking forward to the one this weekend. So, I’ll see you soon with your date, Mr. King.”
The muscles underneath my suit bunch up. My fingers gripping the glass tighten as I slump into my chair and watch that asshole leave.
A few moments later, I settle the bill and head back to my car. Just when I think this evening can’t get any worse, my phone starts ringing.
“Please tell me you have some good news, Joel.” I sigh heavily into the phone.
Joel is my personal private investigator and has been trying to find any information about my biological father since my mom’s death.
“Unfortunately, no. This lead has also gone cold. There’s no record of your father anywhere, Carter. I think it’s time to give up and stop digging into the past.”
“I’ll let you know when it’s time to give up. As long as I’m paying you, your job is to keep looking.” My fist slams onto the steering wheel, anger churning my insides like a raging tempest. “There has to be some trace. Have you checked my grandfather’s records, or my uncles’? I can’t believe that none of them tried to find the man who impregnated their daughter and sister, only to disappear.”
“That was our first step. We found no substantial leads. Also, keep in mind that we’re using Gavin’s software to gather information. If he could design a sophisticated program to uncover hidden histories, he could just as easily craft something to conceal them. Why don’t you discuss this with your family?”
“Because this isn’t their truth. It’s been four years since Mom’s accident, and everyone is finally finding their peace. I won’t disrupt that.” My fingers dig into my forehead. “Just keep looking.”
* * *
Exhaustion weighs down my limbs like heavy logs as I unlock my apartment door. Glancing at the neighboring entrance, my mind involuntarily drifts to her. Last night’s and this morning’s encounters replay in my thoughts, especially the expressions on her face.
I picture the morning sun filtering through the frosted window behind me, casting a gentle glow upon her features. Her unusually large and dark eyes fixated on me as if I were a stranger. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. But what captured my attention the most were her lips. Painted in a subtle nude pink, they were slightly parted, as if on the verge of saying something, yet they trembled with uncertainty. In that moment, she stood in my bathroom, a perfect fusion of seduction and shyness.
If she were anyone else, I might have succumbed to her appeal. But she’s not anyone else, dammit. She’s Merida, the one girl I could never, under any circumstances, touch in my entire fucking life.
This is nonsense. I should be put in jail for even thinking about her this way.
I shut the door behind myself with more force than necessary, hoping it will act as a barrier between me and my insane thoughts.
I need to redirect my focus. Retrieving my iPad from the coffee table, I sink onto the couch, opening the email from Tony. Following the meeting with Kristy and Oscar this morning, I sent him the guidelines for incorporating new activities into Charlie’s protection regimen. Reviewing the specifics of his gun training, I hope Charlie never has to apply this knowledge. Nevertheless, it’s essential for him to be acquainted with firearms, mastering how to field strip and reassemble a gun, and then learning to shoot. Browsing through the images of potential shooting ranges, and Tony’s notes with personal recommendation on the same, memories of the day I initiated Mere’s training rush back.
Her excitement was infectious, even outweighing the earful I’d received from her dad and my uncles afterward. At the range, she was unbelievably a natural, just as I had anticipated.
* * *
Merida – age 13
Carter – age 24
“I’m so fucking furious with Dad right now.” Merida paces around my living room as I clean my Glock for this evening’s practice.
“Can you tone down the swearing? I don’t want your dad overhearing that, even by accident. He’s like an injured tiger right now, ready to tear into anyone who doesn’t do things his way.”
“He’s not just an injured tiger. He’s a tormented man in love. He loves Clementine, but he can’t see it.”