Page 2 of Betrayed

“You look handsome yourself.” I pulled my hand away to adjust his tie. “Is this new?”

“Priscilla picked it out. It’s flashier than I usually wear.” He sounded unsure about the choice.

“It looks great, Daddy. You should wear ties like this more often.” I wasn’t exaggerating. Dad liked unicolor power ties, so wearing a brightly colored one with bold geometric patterns was out of his comfort zone. “Priscilla has good taste.”

“Thanks.” His smile made his brown eyes sparkle. “Are you ready?”

“I am.” I put on my best smile; the one reserved for meeting my father’s influential guests. It didn’t matter if they were clients, the Dallas elite, or fellow politicians—they all got the same toothy smile. No one ever seemed to care if it was fake.

Priscilla gave me a once over when we reached the bottom of the curving grand staircase that brought us to the middle of the foyer, where we’d receive guests. Her disappointed look only lasted a second before she turned to greet my father with a smile, but I saw it. I didn’t care. I was here for my father, not her.

I shook hands and accepted kisses on my cheeks, like a good daughter as my father introduced me to his guests. Before long, my cheeks hurt from holding the smile. I can’t wait until we’re done and I can grab a BriarRose in the sitting room. My father had a bartender create the cocktail for my twenty-first birthday, and served it at any dinner party I attended. I loved the hint of vanilla and rose, the pink color, and how the sparklingrosétopper tickled my nose.

It was fun having my own cocktail, and the guests got a kick out ordering it.

“Steven!” A male voice interrupted my thoughts. “This must be that daughter you’re always bragging about.”

“It is.” Dad said with pride. “Blake, this is Jeffrey, a business associate.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Blake.” He held out his hand while his eyes roamed down my body. I fought back a disgusted shiver.Why do men think it was okay to leer at women?For a split second, I thought about asking him, but didn’t want to upset my father, so I bit my tongue and smiled.

“Nice to meet you.” I lied as I shook his hand. He grasped it in both of his before I could pull it away.

“You’re even more beautiful than your father said.”

Gross. “Thank you.” I pulled my hand out of his. His smile reminded me of a snake. “It was nice meeting you.”

He was the last guest to arrive, so Dad led him to the sitting room where they’d rub elbows and make deals before dinner. Dad always said social engagements were an important part of business, especially for politicians. Attending events like this was one thing I wasn’t looking forward to when I worked for a non-profit, but it was part of the job.

Wanting to create space between me and the creepy Jeffrey, I held back.I wish Paige was here.

During dinner, Priscilla sat on my father’s left side instead of the other end of the table, while I sat in the middle. She couldn’t stand my father paying attention to me, so she always made sure I was as far as she could reasonably put me.At least I’m not sitting next to Jeffrey.

I was between a guy named Carl, an intern at the Senator’s office, and the young wife of a high-powered Dallas defense attorney. Carl was full of himself, but at least we were close in age and he could carry on an intelligent conversation. Thewoman on my other side was too busy gushing over her sugar daddy to talk to me.

Seriously, women like her made the rest of us look bad. We didn’t all want to marry money and be mindless arm-candy. Some of us wanted careers and to make a real difference in the world.Doesn’t she have any dignity or pride?

I counted down the minutes as I ate the last dish of the five course meal, knowing my obligation to my father ended when everyone moved back to the sitting room. I couldn’t wait to change into leggings and a t-shirt and relax in front of the TV.

Chapter 2

AJ

After the officers released me, I drove to work.Great, now I’m fucking late. Resisting the urge to speed, I drove exactly five over the speed limit. I'd never been late before and hated that the first time was because of something out of my control. I typed the code to the security gate too fast and missed a digit. Swearing, I punched in the code slower, but with more force. If anyone was looking at the video feed, I’d never hear the end of it.

I grabbed my bag and forced myself to walk calmly to the door.No point in running now.

I didn’t make it three steps into the lobby before I got called out.

“You’re late, Janerek.” John’s voice boomed across the lobby. John Sheppard, the patriarch portion of Sheppard & Sons Investigations, was my boss. He started the company five years ago with two of his sons, Jamie and Jack. Technically, they were all my bosses; but only John intimidated me.

“Sorry, sir,” I said as I worked up the nerve to tell him why. Should I tell him everything?Maybe he won’t ask.

“Care to tell me why?” he asked, his tone not changing, his face an emotionless mask.

Of course, he asked. I relaxed against the wall, swallowed my pride and said, “It’s kind of a funny story. I’d just pulled out of the convenience store when I noticed Weatherford’s finest, lights flashing, pulling up behind me. Another squad approached from the front.” By now, Jamie, Jack, and Doug had come into the lobby to listen. Might as well make it worth their time. Hamming it up, I drawled, “Now, I’m no idiot-”

“Who told you that?” Jaden, the youngest Sheppard and newest addition to SSI, asked as he joined us.

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