Empire High Betrayal(46)

Each word that fell out of my mouth made me feel more determined. I nodded, like I was giving myself a pep talk. I was staying in New York. I was done hiding. Someone needed to knock Isabella off her high horse.

My dad raised his eyebrow. “I guess there’s no changing your mind?”

I tried to sit up a little straighter. Nunca. “No.”

“Don’t worry about the Caldwells then,” my dad said. “I’ll talk to them myself. Besides, Matthew’s made it very clear that we’re all to be family soon enough. Let me see the ring.” He put his hand out.

I placed my hand into his.

“It suits you,” he said. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

I nodded.

“Very well. I’ll have some more paperwork for both of you to fill out.” He dropped my hand and took a sip of his coffee.

“Speaking of paperwork. Can I have copies of all the documents I’ve signed?” It was like a fire had been lit under my butt. Remembering the promises I’d made to myself after my mom’s death reminded me to stop being stagnant.

“Of course.”

Wait, really? That was easy.

“I’ll make sure Miller gives you copies by tonight. I’m glad that you’re being thorough. I was a little worried you signed the relationship agreement a tad too quickly.”

I didn’t want him to know that I hadn’t really read either of them. I cleared my throat. “Speaking of Miller. He mentioned that he was leaving. But he’s still here.” I hoped that was vague enough.

“Much like you, Miller signed documents when he started working for me. All of my employees are family. It’s a mutual understanding. You don’t quit on family.”

The way he said it made a chill run down my spine. But Miller was an employee, not family. Surely he could quit. That didn’t make any sense. But I was worried questioning it any further would just put suspicion on Miller. I’d have to talk to Miller about it later. Besides, I had a few more questions while I was feeling brave enough to ask.

“Isabella mentioned that the Hunters owed you a debt. And that James had to marry her to pay it off. Is that true?”

My dad laughed. “I didn’t realize you’d have so many questions for me this afternoon.” He smiled. “As for Isabella…she has a very active imagination.”

That isn’t exactly a no.

“Oh look,” he said. “Our food is here.”

I looked up as the waitress dropped off a few turkey sandwiches with all the fixings and…chocolate milkshakes. Just like my mom and I used to order.

I wanted to see the menacing man I always expected him to be. But I didn’t see it. I saw a man who loved my mom fiercely. A man who lost. He wasn’t a monster. I couldn’t believe any of the lies Isabella tried to spread. She was a loophole ninja. She was trying to play me. But I wasn’t her puppet.

My dad’s response did bother me though. “So Isabella was lying about her and James?”

“The Hunters came upon rough times several years back. It was actually the start of a joint business venture. Completely unrelated to any of our children. I would never force either of my daughters to marry someone they didn’t want to. Especially for money,” he said with a laugh. “I mean, look at you. I told you that Mason was a better option. His whole future has been laid out in front of him. But I can tell you’re happy with Matthew. And even if he might not provide for you as well, I gave him my blessing. I just want you to be happy, princess.”

“I don’t need him to provide for me. I’m happiest in places just like this.”

My dad smiled. “I know. But you don’t have anything to worry about regardless. Your inheritance is now sizably larger than either of the Caldwell boys anyway. If anything, Matthew is a step below you.”

I would never describe Matt that way. “You know I didn’t ask for any of that.”

“Which is precisely why I’m giving it to you.” He pushed my milkshake forward. “Aren’t you going to try it? I swear it’s the best in the city.”

I smiled and took a sip. It tasted just like the ones at the diner back home. I watched my dad take a bite of his sandwich. Sitting in this diner with him felt normal. He didn’t feel like a stranger anymore. He felt like a freaking lifeline.

“I do have one more question,” I said. I’d found out what the locked room at his secret apartment was for. It was filled with my mom’s things. But there was a locked room in his actual apartment too. And I wanted to know what was in it. “What’s in the room down the hall from my bedroom at your apartment? The one with the new security key code? Is that filled with my mom’s stuff too?”

He dabbed a napkin across his lips. “No. That’s…” his voice trailed off. “You know what? I think it would be best if I showed that to you in person. The next time you come over, okay?”

“Yeah. Okay.” How bad could it be if he was willing to show it to me? I was breathing easier already. I’d asked every single question I’d had for him.

“Tell me more about your relationship with Matthew,” my dad said. “Is it progressing toward intimacy? I know you mentioned before that it wasn’t, but we need to be safe with these things.”

Oh God. Not the sex talk again. “Everything’s good, I promise.”