Page 93 of Kane
He filled her in on a few more details before kissing her forehead and leaving to solicit his friends for help. If he was successful, they’d all meet at the Griffin house in an hour.
If she wanted, it gave her time to go back to her condo and change, but she felt safe at Kane’s place, and safety mattered way more than what she was wearing. She had far more concern about coming face to face with the guys in the club again. None of them had ever liked her.
But Kane had faith in them, and she had faith in him. If he said it would work out, she would believe him. In the meantime, she needed to get her shit together. She smoothed her hair into a tight ponytail and touched up her make-up. No way would she confront her father looking bedraggled.
Satisfied her appearance looked as good as it would get, she retrieved the key she’d left under the mat the morning before.
What a difference a day makes.
She arrived at the house at the agreed-upon time, and though she didn’t see Kane, she had no doubt he was there. With a fortifying breath, she climbed out of her car, up to the front door and knocked twice.
Terrence opened the door, his face filled with apprehension. “Your father’s on a tear in the study, Miss Amanda.” His voice was pitched low. “It might not be the best time for a visit.”
She squeezed his hand gently. “Thank you for looking out for me, Terrence. You probably saved my life yesterday.” Now it was her turn to whisper. “Kane will be at the door in a few minutes. He’s going to let himself in, and he’ll be looking out for me. Maybe now would be a good idea for you to consult with cook about the menu for New Year’s.”
He nodded in understanding. “As you say, ma’am.” The aging butler turned slowly and shuffled toward the kitchen.
Amanda confirmed the front door was unlocked before striding to her father’s office for the second day in a row. The churning in her stomach reminded her of the feeling she’d had on the way to the hospital when her father demanded she break up with Kane. Dread, combined with the knowledge there was no way out; she had to see it through.
The door to the study hung partially ajar. Amanda didn’t knock; she pushed the door until it was completely open and walked in. It looked like a hurricane had torn through the room. Books, files, and papers were strewn across the floor. All the desk drawers hung open, and a chair rested on its side. Her father stood at the center of it all, muttering to himself and pacing.
The room had looked bad when she left yesterday, but now the chaos was infinitely worse. “What are you doing, Dad?”
He stopped pacing at the sound of her voice and craned his neck to face her. “I don’t recall inviting you today, Amanda. Perhaps you should call my secretary and make an appointment.”
She swept her hand over the room, acknowledging the mess. “And miss all this?” She shook her head. “Tempting as it is, you and I have some unfinished business to attend to. Afterward, you can go fuck yourself for all I care, because we are done.”
Her father tsked at her words. “Such language. Your pet thug is back in your life for a couple of weeks, and you already sound like you’re rolling around in the gutter.”
“The vilest man I’ve ever been with is the one you set me up with, Dad. Only, I guess it doesn’t really matter if the guy can do something for you, right?”
His lip curled. “You do not want to talk about Nathan with me. The stunt you pulled last night could set back my gubernatorial run for years—if it’s not derailed forever.”
Like always, his eye was on the prize. “I don’t care about your run for governor. In fact, this state would probably be better off with someone who’s not willing to sell their own child for a networking connection.” She held up her hand to stop whatever he’d been about to say. “But I didn’t come here to talk about your political future. Let’s be real: you and I, there is no relationship left. I only came here to get the video you’ve been holding over my head. Give it to me and we can go our separate ways.”
He laughed, and menace poured off him. “I should have known. The Hale boy again. Tell me, my recalcitrant daughter, why on earth would I ever give you my ace in the hole?”
She pulled the small handgun from her purse. Time to bluff. “Because I’m asking you nicely.”
Her father rolled his eyes. “I’m supposed to be afraid of you? As if you would shoot me if I didn’t cooperate with your demands.”
She didn’t think it would work; her father never took the easy route. “No. You’re right.” She didn’t turn, but she heard the footsteps enter the room behind her, and her father’s eyes widened in response. “I wouldn’t shoot you, but they would.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SEVEN
Kane
Kane stepped up to Mandy’s side, his father and friends filling the space behind him. She’d executed her part of the plan perfectly. Now, seeing the fear in her father’s eyes satisfied him more than he’d imagined.
Of course, he’d seen Beau Griffin over the years; the man was the mayor. He was on TV all the time, and that wasn’t counting all the billboards and flyers junking up his mailbox. In person, Mandy’s father looked smaller than he remembered. Deep circles shadowed under his eyes, and his usually perfect hair looked like he’d been pulling it in different directions.
This small man had ruined his life. Stolen his love. Killed his brother.
He barely recognized the deep, gravelly voice coming from his own mouth. “You think I’m a thug. You can thank yourself for that.” He moved closer, and Beau shrank back. “Thanks to you, I’m a killer. Thanks to you, I have a reason to seek revenge. So, tell me, Mr. Mayor, do you think I’m bluffing?”
Mandy’s dad swallowed, swept his eyes over the room, then seemed to find his courage. He stood a little taller. “I don’t have it.”