Page 111 of The Prince of Power

He exhales. “That’s unfortunate.”

I frown. “Why?”

“My daughter is an excellent judge of character. You might care for her, but she doesn’t care for you. Not in that way.”

His words land like a blade between my ribs.

But I won’t let him see it. I nod slowly, as if considering his words. Then I let my posture loosen and melt back into the chair. I let my arms drape lazily over the sides, like this is my office.

“You think you know her better than I do?” My smile doesn’t reach my eyes. “I know her in a way a father never could.”

Mr. St. Clair scoffs, and a jolt shoots through my chest. I expected that one to land. A man with conservative family values ought to hate even a hint that I’m fucking his daughter.

He leans forward, setting his elbows on the desk. “She never answers my calls anymore. Until recently, I only got texts from her at eight p.m. Never earlier. Never later. She says she’s busy with school. So busy, in fact, that she wasn’t even here for Thanksgiving dinner. I’m only getting her for this little lunch with her new...boyfriend. This is all very odd behavior for my daughter, Damian. And what has changed in her life recently, hmm?

I shrug, and I hate that the movement is jerky. “I’m not your daughter’s keeper.”

He snorts. “You apparently think I’m stupid, so let me make one thing clear. I see right through you. I know Ava isn’t with you because she wants to be. She’s afraid. I see it in her even now. She smiles at you… Holds your hand…” When his jaw clenches, his chin quivers. “You’re tormenting my little girl, and I’ve heard enough about your family to know I can’t interfere without putting her in even more danger.”

A sharp, ugly heat spreads through my chest.

I shouldn’t care what he thinks. I shouldn’t care about his opinion of me, his assessment of Ava’s feelings, his patronizing belief that he knows her better than I do.

But I do care.

I hate that I care.

I hate that something about this man is getting under my skin in a way no one else ever has.

“You’re wise not to interfere.” My words drip with mockery, but the sharp gleam in his eye tells me he’s not afraid.

His lips press into a thin line. “Not now. But don’t get too comfortable.”

Before I can respond, the office door creaks open, and the warmth of Ava’s voice slices through the tension. “Alright, what did we miss?”

Mr. St. Clair’s entire demeanor shifts in an instant. His body relaxes, his features softening as he turns toward his daughters with an easy smile. “I was just giving Damian the ‘if you ever hurt my daughter’ speech. He’s quaking in his boots right now.”

Ava groans. “Oh my God, Dad. You’d better be joking.”

He laughs, but his eyes flick to mine, sharp and assessing.

He’s not backing down. And as much as I hate to admit it, the prick is right about one thing.

Ava doesn’t love me.

Not yet.

But she will.

I’ll make sure of it.

She’ll love me more than she loves her father. More than she loves anyone.

By the time I’m done, I’ll be her whole damn world.

35

Ava

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