Page 44 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“And what is that?” She asked clenching her fists.

“I already told you Maddison. You are my daughter. You are my flesh and blood. You’re a part of my family, a part of me and I will not have you fight me any longer.”

“Why? Why do you even care?” Maddie snapped. “You haven’t given a damn about me for the last thirty one years what’s changed to make you so suddenly interested in me? Huh?”

He smiled leaning over the table to her. “Let’s just say my other daughter has been somewhat of a disappointment.”

“What so because Kelsey is slut you suddenly want me to play happy families?” She replied and he laughed.

“Do as you’re told Maddison, be a dutiful daughter and in time you might come to understand my reasons.”

“I don’t want to understand. I don’t want anything to do with you.” She stated.

“And yet you will do it. Won’t you? You will play along for the sake of your lover if nothing else.” He said and she shut her eyes wanting to puke because they both knew he was right.

She would do it. She would play along.

Fuck, she thought, because she’d let Cole into her life, into her head and now she had a weakness, a vulnerability and here he was, her arsehole of a dad exploiting it for all it was worth.

“Fine.” She said before she could stop herself and he grinned.

“That’s my girl.” He said holding his hand out. “Phone.” He ordered and she let out a long rattling breath before taking her phone from her jacket and passing it to him.

“This is my number. When I call you answer. Got it?” He said and she narrowed her eyes.

“If I’m not busy.” She said and he laughed.

“Do not misunderstand me Maddison. I won’t hesitate to act if you misbehave.”

“Misbehave?” She retorted. “I’m not some errant child…”

“No you are not. You understand the consequences as well as I do so I expect you to obey.”

She shook her head at him.

“We will meet again real soon.” He said passing her phone back and she snatched it out of his hand before standing up.

“I take it we’re done then.” She said and he took a sip of his coffee knowing she couldn’t leave until he decided she could.

“For the moment.” He said looking to the suit blocking the door. “Take care of yourself Maddison and I look forward to our next meeting.”

“Whatever.” She muttered heading for the door and half shoving the man out the way in her haste to get away from him.

She could hear him chuckling behind her. He was smug, happy. He knew he’d got her over a barrel, the prick.

“She’s quite the firecracker isn’t she?” He said loud enough for her to hear and she shot him a look before storming off to where Max was waiting, practically guarded by the final suit.

“You okay?” He asked her and she nodded.

“Let’s go.” She said not waiting for his reply.

“What was that about?” He asked seeing the anger still clear in her face.

“Trust me you do not want to know.” She said.

“So I take it he wasn’t a real client then?”

“No. Sorry Max.”

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