Page 65 of Dark Obsession
No. He would want something else from me. I'd do it myself. No. I wasn't that kind of woman. I'd chicken out. Without a doubt.
I got out of the car and followed my father toward the restaurant, walking just enough behind him that I could see the rolling in of his shoulders. He was at a loss as to what to do next, which wasn't him at all.
"Why did you bring up Jack today, Daddy?" I paused by the door to the restaurant as he held it open for me.
"Because baby. Much like me failing my old friend in finding his killer and bringing that bastard to justice, it looks like your brother is going to be the same. Maybe I should hang up my hat. Darek was one of the most important people in the world to me, and I've failed him." My father's voice broke.
I reached out and pulled him into a hug, tucking myself under his chin. "It will work out, Dad. The light will find its way into the darkness. I promise."
"I sure hope so. I'm losing faith in all of it, especially in myself." He kissed my head and patted my back. "Come on. Denise is waiting inside already. Be nice to her. I know you don't particularly like her, but-"
"What? No. I can't, Dad. She's got something to do with-"
"Hi, Paul. Jenna." Denise stepped out of the open hallway beside us and brushed her blond hair back.
"Denise. Good to see you, dear." My father offered her a hug as I turned and walked back toward the center of the restaurant.
I was almost lightheaded as anger pumped through me.
"It's right over here." She smiled as she sat down across from me at the table. "Sit, Jenna. It's good to see you. Been busy much?"
"Always. I've got a lot on my to-do list." I sat down and locked eyes with her. "We're still in the throes of looking for my brother's killer. Got any ideas?"
"Jenna. Come on, now." My father sat down beside me and touched the top of my back. "Denise, how is your friend you brought with you the other day? What's his name again?"
She briefly looked away from me. "It's Nate."
Chills ran down my back, but I played them off. "Gotta picture of this friend? I'm actually on the market."
"Jenna? Jeez." My father pulled his phone from his pocket and he stood. "Denise, I'm sorry. She's just hurting from losing Darek. We all are. I'm sure you understand."
"Absolutely. I haven't slept in weeks." She gave my father a sweet smile and turned her attention back to me as he walked off. "You're playing a dangerous game, little girl."
"Am I? What game would that be?" Nate. Did she know about me and Nate? Surely not. Things couldn't end up that twisted, right? No way. Not in a million years.
"I'm not doing this with you, Jenna. I didn't kill your brother. I loved him."
"Lying bitch." I took the basket of chips in between us and tossed them at her. "I'm going to find out every detail of what you've been up to and when I do, I swear to God it's the cops you'll be calling to help protect you from me."
"Such a strong promise for such a weak girl." She pulled out her phone and pressed a few buttons, ignoring the chips all in her lap. She turned the phone to face me. "Here’s Nate. Look familiar?"
I grabbed her phone as bile rose up my throat. Nathaniel. My Nate. No fucking way. Was he involved too? Had she sent him after me? To seduce me? To snuff me out too?
"Never seen him in my life." I shrugged and handed her the phone back. "He's pretty to look at, but probably has a small cock. Most bad boy types do." I stood up. "I'm not sharing a meal with the whore that killed my brother."
"You have no proof, little girl."
"Not yet, but the weekend’s not over." I grabbed my purse and walked toward the door. When I was out of her line of sight, I turned and ran to the bathroom, barely making it into a stall before I hit my knees and lost my lunch.
The picture of Nate didn't have her in it too. Maybe he was innocent. Maybe she found out about the two of us and was trying to implicate him so I would have no one to turn to.
"Or maybe he's her lover and they're all playing you." I leaned back on my heels and pulled out my phone to text Grace. I needed to know where Erik was. I didn't get an answer right away, but I could grab a cab and get to the library. Grace would help me find him, and I'd go back to square one.
I couldn't trust Nate until I knew the truth. I could trust Grace and Erik. I had something the gangster wanted. Something he coveted. “Where are you, Erik?”
The sound of the door locking caused my heart to almost stop in my chest. I jerked up and opened the door, ready to beat back anyone I needed to.
Erik stood with his back against the door, a sexy smile on his lips.
