Page 15 of Unforgettable
He continued to sip his whiskey, not giving me any indication I was getting under his skin, which gave me reason to pause. I normally could get a reaction out of him, and at the moment, I was glad he’d requested my presence. Body language told the real story if the person wasn’t good at keeping his cards close to his vest.
“She’s Ryker’s style,” he said with a grin.
I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting as far as a reaction from him, but that grin said it all. Blondie was his spy.
“What’s her name?” I asked.
He placed his glass on the table. “I don’t keep up with who Ryker sleeps with.”
The question then was how did he know Ryker’s type? On second thought, I knew the answer. My father had security goons to find info on people.
At the moment, I had to find a way to convince Father to let me stay in the dorms, which was far more important than Ryker James.
“I’m not moving home. You didn’t want me around when I was a teenager, so don’t start now. Besides, the drive is too long with rush-hour traffic. I told you I would keep my end of the deal.”
He scrubbed a hand over his chin. “Then you won’t give me flap when I tell you to stay away from Ryker James.”
A scream was ready to break free. “Why are you worried, Dad? You just said blondes are his type. Last I checked”—I grabbed a wad of my red hair—“I’m not blond.”
He resumed drinking his whiskey. “Let’s recap then. No media attention. No sororities. And no Ryker James. Any violation, and you’ll force my hand.”
“What is your hang-up with the guy?” I dug my nails into my thighs. “And don’t tell me media attention. I know you. You’re hiding something.”
“Why can’t my reason be that I care about my daughter?”
I would love to believe him. “Since my mom died, you’ve never even told me you loved me. So, sorry if I don’t believe you care. And give the guy a break. He’s going through some hard times.” I rose. “Don’t worry, I won’t ruin your election. But I am going to go to parties. I’m going to date. So get used to that.”
He stood, pursing his lips. “Then I have your word?”
I let out a heavy sigh. “I want nothing to do with Ryker James.” My tone was convincing only because I wanted to leave, and maybe a small part of me didn’t want the hassle that came with Ryker and the women he screwed.
Father’s jaw loosened. “Good. I also need your help.”
I laughed because he never, ever needed my help. He had aides to do his dirty work.
“I’ll be in DC the week after next,” he said. “And I made a commitment to speak at Woodcreek High’s government class. I need you to take my place.”
My face twisted. “Since when do I fill in for you? Get one of your aides to do that.” It wasn’t that I was afraid to speak on the topic. I knew the government. But asking for my help wasn’t in his nature.
“Mr. Bridges is a good friend. He asked me for a favor. When I told him I had a change in my schedule at the last minute, he thought it would be a good idea to have you speak to his class.”
I knew the teacher. He’d been over for dinner on two occasions when I’d been home from boarding school during the summer. He’d been impressed with my knowledge of not only the government but my ability to speak two foreign languages. I’d spent one summer in Spain and one summer in Greece. So I’d taught myself both. In fact, a friend from boarding school and I had learned together.
“If I do this, then you owe me.” My father didn’t do anything without bartering or bargaining.Like father, like daughter.
He draped his arm around me. “Don’t give me any reason not to owe you.”
Spoken like a strict father.
5
Ryker
Ikicked out my legs as I sat across the large mahogany desk that was OCD neat for a lawyer. Then again, Franklin Bumgardner had been put together since I could remember. He wore a blue Armani suit, diamond-studded cuff links on his pink-striped shirt, and a tie that had a fancy design with paisleys and polka dots.
Franklin scribbled on a legal-sized pad. “You look like shit.”
I laughed. “How do you know? You’ve been writing since I walked in.”
