The elderly woman lived next door to Father and Sebastian, and on the weekends I visited, she often walked her dog past the house and we’d chat if I was outside, kicking around a soccer ball on the concrete.
“Can I give you a lift somewhere?”
“I don’t think so. Unless you’re going to the Oakridge Country Club.” I threw that out there on the slightest chance that was where she was headed.”
“Guess it’s your lucky day.” The door opened.
Her driver drove through the country club gates. On one side were tennis courts, on the other a path led to the golf course, where buggies trundled around the green, depositing golfers and their caddies.
Straight ahead was the imposing building where members dined, played cards, and held fundraisers, but they also made connections. This ensured the money stayed in their circle, enriching themselves.
“Aren’t you coming in?” I asked. Mrs. Simmons made no move to get out.
“No, dear. I just gave you a lift. I’m going shopping.”
My lack of a tie would not get me inside the club, but I hoped Sebastian would come outside.
“Good afternoon, sir.” The doorman looked me up and down, his lips curling in distaste at my scuffed shoes. “Are you joining one of our members for lunch?” He sniffed, knowing an exclusive club like Oakridge would never welcome the likes of me.
“My stepfather, Sebastian Davidson.” That wasn’t a lie. The man hadn’t asked whoinvitedme.
The guy furrowed his brow as he checked a tablet. “You don’t appear to be listed, sir.” He dismissed me by speaking to another guest.
But he didn’t know that I had had enough of being knocked down. There was a fire in my belly as I raced to the door and shouted, “Sebastian Davidson! This is your stepson. You know, the one you cut off so my dad has no medical insurance and I had to quit college.Thatstepson.”
“That’s enough.” Oops, seemed I wasn’t the only one who was fired up. The doorman placed a hand on my shoulder, but as he yanked me back, a scent wafted around me, tickling my nostrils.
What was that? It wasn’t the guy intent on tossing me out. I took a deep breath and pictured the aroma spreading through my veins like someone being infected with a deadly toxin in a sci-fi movie. I wanted to be wherever that smell was.
But I was jolted back to reality when I remembered why I was here; money for Dad’s operation.
The doorman’s walkie-talkie buzzed. Other than saying yes, he just listened to the voice on the other end as they yelled. When he shut it off, he handed me a tie from under the desk.
“Must be your lucky day. Mr. Davidson is in a private dining room. Kenneth here will take you to him. And next time you pull a stunt like that, I’ll toss you out on your ear.”
Taking a chance the scent was coming from him, I leaned toward him and sniffed.
“What in the?—”
I dashed after Kenneth, not wanting to hear the rest of the sentence.
Chapter 6
I should’ve stayed home.
Devyn
I should’ve known better than to poke a wolf. As I watched, thinking I had won the match, the person from earlier came back to him and whispered in my father’s ear again. This time, he turned around to look at me with his fake smile.
I hated that. It fooled so many. That smile won him contracts, eased his way during mergers, and won both my mother and countless other women.
“Join us for a meal.” He walked over and grabbed my shoulder. To the onlooker, it probably appeared to be a typical dad-type affection. On my end, I worried my bones were going to be crushed. This wasn’t an invitation. It was a command.
Fucker.
A minute later, Geraldine let my father know the private room he requested was ready. That wasn’t the dining room reservation he mentioned earlier, telling me this was a last-minute change. It would probably make sense if I knew what the whispering was all about.
We followed her to the room, and I took my seat across from my father, my brothers facing each other on the other side of the table. The rectangular shape had my father and me as far away from each other as we could be, and for that, I was grateful.
