Page 68 of Wild Card

I wasn’t sure what to make of that. I didn’t get a chance to respond.

“Girls, sorry we’re late.” Jackie rushed out to the patio in a white wrap dress that ended at her knees and left her shoulders bare. Her blonde hair was tucked back in a neat chignon, her flawless face revealing little as she sat and immediately sipped from her glass. I watched to see if my father was on her heels, but the only person to come out after her was their housekeeper and chef, Bev.

“Where’s Dad?” I flashed a quick look from Jackie back to Bev, who was pushing a rolling cart with our food stacked high.

Jackie waved her hand, typing away on her cell. I flicked my gaze over to Taylor and saw she was doing the same thing. I felt empty. I hated when Jackie ignored me. I didn’t know why it burned so much, but I knew if Taylor asked where my dad was, she would immediately answer.

“Jackie. Where’s my father?” I spoke loudly so there would be no issue with her hearing me.

“He’s on a call, Mallory. My goodness, no need to speak so loud.” She folded a napkin into her cleavage and reached for her mimosa glass. The gleaming diamond on her left hand caught the sun, making my eyes burn. I didn’t want to hate her, but I hated how she made me feel…especially when I saw that ring. I missed my mother.

I had told my dad a million times that I didn’t want to come to brunch unless he would be attending every minute of it. I didn’t want to be stuck between Jackie and Taylor, because they always made me feel like an outsider. It wasn’t that Taylor didn’t try to include me in the conversation, because she often did, but Jackie would just twist it so we ended up talking about Taylor.

Heaving a sigh, I stood from the table and decided to wander until my dad came out. I did love their house, and I loved that despite what Jackie wanted, my father kept it tailored to fit him with rich leathers and dark chestnut wood accents. I ran my finger along one of the bookcases near his library, ready to dig for a book, then I heard him talking softly on the phone.

I knew I shouldn’t listen in…but I was curious, and it was just business, so what harm was there?

Pressing closer to the doorway to his office, I tilted my head so I could hear better.

“No…that’s not what we discussed,” my dad barked.

There was a long pause then a shuffle.

“The stockholders don’t have that much sway…no, fuck you, Buckland.”

Buckland was one of the lead men on my father’s board of advisors. I knew that much from overhearing his business talks over the years.

I pressed further into the door, desperate to catch every word. My father had never raised his voice like this, had never sounded so angry before.

“Mallory isn’t up for discussion. She’s the oldest, but she doesn’t want this, so I won’t pressure her. Taylor has been the one…” He trailed off.

My heart raced as I listened. What the hell was he talking about? Taylor had talked to him about taking over or what? What were they discussing?

“No. She’ll marry someone her own age. I already have someone lined up…yes, he’s already approached me. We’re working a deal.”

Oh my god.What the hell was he talking about?

“You know they won’t ever go for that. No, I told you…I’ve already spoken with the boy. He’s in the city as we speak, meeting with Hamlin. If all they need is for her to be married, fine, she’ll fucking be married by the end of the month, with a public wedding by the end of the year.”

Feeling my face heat and my heart hammering away in my chest, I rushed down the hall. I bypassed the patio doors, running straight for the foyer and out through the front doors. My chest heaved as I processed his words. I knew my dad was into about a million things that were over my head, but what I had just heard…

There was no way.

He wouldn’t do this. He wouldn’t. Memories of my father from when I was a little girl came rushing back. Moments in the garage, playing games on the crawler, sliding back and forth along the floor while he worked. Hours on the soft chair he brought out there for me so I could nap. He was such a hard worker, in absolutely every area of his life. He was tender and sweet, and there was no way he’d do something this despicable.

Did Taylor know? My thoughts rushed as I considered how involved she’d become in his affairs lately, asking questions, attending meetings. Decker had known she was taking a position in New York. Did that mean he knew? Was it even the same thing? The end of the month…it was the middle of March, but…before graduation? And who was this guy?

I swung open my car door, nearly laughing at the stark difference of the opulence around the garage and my beater of a vehicle. It was laughable to have me camouflaged in this world, like a checker piece on the chess board, sandwiched between the king and queen. Completely and entirely laughable.

My hands shook as I started the engine and reversed out of the driveway. Maybe I was worried my stepsister would make a horrible decision that could change her life forever, but my entire body shook as I drove the thirty minutes downtown. I parked in a nearby parking garage and walked the rest of the way, relishing the breeze and mixture of sunshine.

My mind kept wrestling with the words I’d heard my father use.She’ll marry someone her own age. I already have someone lined up…he’s already approached me. We’re working a deal.

What did that mean? Who was he talking about? There was no way it could be…

No.

I tried to prevent my mind from going there, but it wandered just the same. He was with me now, and he’d given up his revenge…but did he know about this? Was there some connection to Elias in this? He wouldn’t keep this from me though…there was no way.

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