Any Way You Want It (Brand Clan #2)(41)

Mentally reassessing her approach, she settled deeper into the seat and smoothly crossed her legs. “Your father was disappointed that you were unable to attend our wedding.”

“Oh, I was able,” Zandra countered sardonically. “I was unwilling.”

Johanna gave her a look of reproach. “Your father is the only family you have left.”

“Oh, I have some distant cousins who come around every now and then when they need money.” Zandra smirked. “They’re more family to me than your husband.”

Johanna frowned. “I’m sorry you feel that way, especially since you’re Landis’s only child. I have two boys, but I always wanted a daughter. I wouldn’t have minded getting to know you.”

Zandra sighed with exaggerated patience. “I have no quarrel with you, Johanna.”

“Maybe not, but your quarrel with your father impacts me.” Johanna paused. “I wanted to attend yesterday’s fundraiser gala, but your father refused because he knew you’d be there. And it’s not the first time.”

“Pity. But that’s not my problem.” Zandra glanced at her gold wristwatch. “Can we get on with this?”

Johanna clenched her jaw. “Very well. As you may know, your father has decided to run for mayor. In the process of vetting his background, his campaign advisors discovered that—”

“I know where this is going,” Zandra coldly interrupted, “so let me just cut to the chase. I’m not relocating my escort agency. Period. If I were dealing with anyone else, I would be shocked and appalled by the unmitigated audacity of such a request. But since I’m dealing with Landis Kennedy, nothing he says or does could ever shock me. Apart from that, it’s utterly absurd to think that running me out of town will solve his dilemma. If his political opponents want to use me as a pawn, it won’t matter where my business is located.”

Johanna secretly agreed. But Landis was convinced that Zandra would be a liability to his campaign, and Johanna couldn’t have that.

“From what I understand,” she said coolly, “people in your line of work move around all the time.”

“I don’t,” Zandra said with implacable calm. “I have no reason to run and hide from the authorities.”

“Don’t you?” Johanna challenged.

“No. I don’t.”

Johanna pursed her lips with distaste. “I don’t even understand why you’re involved in that type of business. You’re an intelligent, highly educated woman. Your father told me that you have an economics degree from Oxford and a master’s from Northwestern. You’re influential and well regarded in artistic circles. You could be running your own art gallery instead of a...a...”

“Brothel?” Zandra supplied.

Johanna flushed uncomfortably. “I wasn’t going to use that word.”

“You didn’t have to. Your husband already did.” A trace of mockery curved Zandra’s lips. “You know, we’re not so different, you and I. We both came from nothing, and we both did whatever it took to survive.”

Johanna held Zandra’s steely gaze for a moment, then swallowed hard and glanced out the window. They were heading south on Michigan Avenue, passing the manicured greenery of Grant Park on one side, and modern skyscrapers and hotels on the other.

Johanna turned back to Zandra. “I don’t understand why you and your father can’t put the past behind you once and for all. Your father—”

“—has demons.” Zandra’s lips twisted cynically. “And I happen to be one of them.”

Johanna frowned, nervously fingering the cultured pearls around her slender throat. “I know you may find this hard to believe, but I love Landis.”

“So did my mother. And loving him destroyed her.” Haunted dark eyes met Johanna’s. “If I were you, I’d be careful.”

A chill ran through Johanna. “I don’t know what happened in the past. I’ve never asked, and I don’t plan to. All I can tell you is that your father is a wonderful man, and he’s been nothing but good to me and my children.”

Zandra smirked. “Then you’re lucky. He was never good to me or my mother.”

Johanna frowned.

“Everything is going well for him now,” Zandra smoothly continued. “After my mother passed away, he was able to attend law school like he’d always wanted. And then he struck gold by meeting you. Now he gets to enjoy your wealth and connections, his political career looks promising, and he doesn’t have the burden of raising a child he never planned for or wanted. Life is good for him.” Zandra paused. “Let his circumstances change, and you may see an entirely different side of him.”

Johanna swallowed with difficulty.

“Does he know you came to see me?” Zandra inquired.

Johanna hesitated for a moment. “No.”

“Then you’d better hope he doesn’t find out.”

Johanna felt another chill of foreboding.

Zandra lowered the privacy glass to speak to her driver. “Norman, would you please turn around and take Mrs. Kennedy back to the restaurant?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Zandra slid her sunglasses back on, all but dismissing Johanna.

It infuriated her. Who the hell did this girl think she was?