Page 118 of Delicate Storm

“I—”

“Wait. Should we be having this conversation in my apartment?”

Jesus. Should we? I’ve been so careful up until now, never talking about it, except with Austin. “Good idea.”

We finish our drinks, and Dad pays the check before guiding me to the exit. We’re both quiet in the elevator, but the second we get inside and the door closes, Dad turns my way. “Tell me what you know.”

After forcing him to sit down at the dining table, I fill him in on the conversation I overheard between Jill Mikkleson and her sister. I tell him about Christian’s apparent naivety and about hiring Austin. When I get to the threats, I pause. He’s going to lose his mind and that won’t be helpful for anyone, but I promised him the truth. I’ll just have to sugarcoat a little.

“They know I know something. But they don’t know what. So they’ve kind of been threatening to out me in the media.”

“Out you?” He stands up, his fists clenched by his sides. “For what? What are they doing?”

I open my mouth to answer but he cuts me off. “Wait. Does this have anything to do with that article about your games with Christian?”

Ugh. I cringe, since I was really hoping he hadn’t seen that headline. “Yes. That was a message to me. To get me to tell them what I know.”

“And did you?”

“Hell, no. I’m not giving in before I’ve found what I need to destroy them.”

Dad wants to be angry, but he can’t hide the proud expression lighting up his face. “I always knew you were tough, but this is next-level, Paige.”

“Thank you.”

“Does Austin have anything? And how did you manage to convince him not to tell me about it?”

“What? You know Austin?”

“Well, I assume you found him through your lawyer who is also my lawyer.”

“Right. Of course. Well,Iassumed you found a different lawyer after divorcing Mom.”

“Nope. One and the same.”

“I guess Austin’s a professional. He never even mentioned you.”

“Good. I like that he’s treating you like he’d treat everyone else. So what’s he got?”

“Nothing yet.” I drop my head to the table, defeated.

“I see.” Dad sits down again and taps his fingers against the wood. “Has he tried posing as a potential client?”

“What?” My eyes flash to his. I never would have thought of that.

“We could give him some funds to play with, and I’m sure he’d know how to get some fake accreditations drawn up so that he looks legit. Then he approaches them and we see what happens.”

“That seems risky.”

“It is. But it’s worth a try. If anything, it might get him a meeting and he can check them out.”

“Okay. Yes. I’ll ask Austin what he thinks.”

I reach for my phone to text him but Dad grabs my wrist. “Mind if I do it? If it all goes wrong, I’d rather you weren’t involved.”

“I’m already involved, Dad.”

“I know. But now that I have the details, I can’t let you continue. It’s my job to protect you.”

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