Page 77 of Flirting With Forever
The detail might be a tiny drop in the ocean in the scheme of things, but it was an important one she’d had to consider when making her plan.
She had to have the upper hand. Not allow her father to choose the time or place of their meeting. A place where he or one of the goons associated with his “clients” could spirit her away.
So she had carefully thought out the details. Chosen a public place close to his office where he was well-known. She also had a cab waiting as a getaway vehicle. And if something still went wrong, the backup fail-safes were in place with Dawson as well as set up on her computer. If she didn’t disable the messages by a certain time, they would be sent to the authorities, news outlets. Everyone.
She methodically tucked her things away in the large black bag she carried and left the restroom for the spot she had reserved in a quiet yet very public seating area between the bar and the beautifully appointed check-in counter.
A waiter from the bar spotted her and came to take her order. Sloane ordered a bourbon on the rocks.
Once she was seated, she pulled the burner phone out of her bag and texted her address to her father.
Then she waited. Though she didn’t have to wait long.
She’d chosen the hotel across the street and a few doors down from her father’s building deliberately, again banking on the fact her father wouldn’t risk a scene—or a kidnapping attempt.
Five minutes later—four if she was really counting—Noah appeared and held the door for their father as he stalked outside and down the street in her direction. He glared at the hotel where she sat, and even though she knew he couldn’t see her behind the tinted glass, she felt the full intensity of his fury.
Horns blared as he crossed the street without a care as to who had to slam on their brakes in an effort to stop, Noah and Jarrett behind him.
The hotel doormen scrambled when they saw her father approach, and several doors were opened even though he only needed one. Her father didn’t acknowledge the doormen’s assistance, but then a man of his self-import rarely did.
His gaze locked on her in an instant, and though everything inside of her fought the urge to stand and run, she remained seated and merely lifted her chin.
Her father noted the slight, and his nostrils flared as he stalked toward her, her brothers hot on his heels.
The waiter approached carrying her drink and left it on the table beside Sloane. He asked the others if they’d like to place an order but was quickly shooed away by Noah.
“Explain yourself,” her father ordered through gritted teeth.
“Hello to you too, Daddy. It’s good to see you as well.”
“Sloane,” Noah said, his voice low with warning to not poke the bear.
That was the thing about Noah. He’d do their father’s bidding, but somewhere deep inside, he had a heart. It was another reason her threat was so difficult. She didn’t want to hurt Noah. Didn’t want to hurt any of them, actually.
She hadn’t had a bad life. In fact, her childhood had been sort of like a fairy tale. Including the part where her mother died, since that seemed to be a commonality.
But she hadn’t been hurt or abused, and so what if she had some trauma from the fact her father was mob connected? She still loved them and cared what happened to them. How twisted was that when she now knew the fate her father planned for her? “Please sit down. We need to talk.”
Sloane waved a hand toward the couch opposite her. She’d had the chairs replaced with a couch for them to squeeze onto if they so chose. Her chair gave her the position of authority, something her father quickly noted since he vibrated with his anger and distaste for being put in such a conundrum by his only daughter.
Her father moved to take the center seat, glaring at his sons when they shifted to seat themselves beside him.
Sloane barely held back a smirk when her brothers quickly repositioned themselves on either end of the couch atop the arms like identical props. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I finally came to see you.”
“Because I ordered you home,” her father said in no uncertain terms.
“Actually, no. I’m here because this meeting is something I needed to conduct in person. Not because I’m allowing you to offer me up like some medieval sacrifice to offset the mess you’ve gotten yourself into.”
Her father’s mouth tightened into a flat, hard line. He shot a glare at Noah, and Sloane realized Noah had told her something he shouldn’t have. Apparently that news was something her father had intended to spring on her once he had her locked down.
“You will do as I tell you, Sloane.”
“No, I will not,” she said with far more confidence than was sane, considering the circumstances.
“I’ve been more than tolerant of your behavior these last few years. Too tolerant, obviously. But enough is enough. It’s time for you to stop this nonsense and take your role in the family.” Her father lowered his chin and glared at her. “You will do your duty.”
“And if I don’t?”
