Page 10 of Sins of the Father

“Extremely serious.”

“Doesn’t ever discuss personal things, so he’s super mysterious,”someone whose name I don’t even recognize is quoted.

My gut flips again.This is so embarrassing. Now the entire world knows what an uninteresting loser I am.

“Congrats again. See you tonight,” Jamison says.

“Safe travels.” I hang up and read the rest of the article and information on the other nine people, and I’m further mortified.

Every other candidate has words like fun, interesting, spontaneous, loves adventure, super creative, exciting, engaging personality, charismatic, and charming.

I put my phone in my pocket, hit the button on the blender, create my smoothie, then throw it in a to-go cup. I sling my laptop bag over my shoulder and head out the door.

My driver is waiting on the curb, like every day.

Just another scheduled part of your life.

“Congratulations, Mr. Sinclair. What a huge accomplishment,” Ted says.

Heat creeps up my neck. “Thanks.” I get into the car to avoid any further conversation about my award, and my phone rings. I remove it from my pocket and hit the button without looking at it. “Quinn—”

“Steven, congratulations.” His voice makes the hairs on my arms stand up.

“Maximillion, what do you want?”

“Is that any way to greet your father?”

My blood boils. Every time he mentions the truth of who he is, all I feel is the same rage as the day I found out and punched the wall in my bedroom.

“Don’t you mean sperm donor?”

“Forget who got you the position in the company you run?”

Asshole.

“Sorry, did you want to put Quinn and me on your family photo during your next campaign run?”

Like all polished politicians, he slides into the next topic. “Huge weekend for you and Quinn. It looks like you’re both moving up in the world.”

“Excuse me?”

“Quinn hooked a billionaire. She can’t do better than that. And now you’re nationally recognized. This is a good step forward.”

The anger bubbles. “Is there a purpose for this call?”

“I’m calling in my favor.”

“Your favor?”

He snorts. “Tell me you didn’t get on the list and are daft?”

I close my eyes and try to calm my building fury. My chest tightens, and the air becomes thicker in my lungs. “I owe you nothing.”

“But you do. And what’s given can be taken away. Did you forget my position in this world?”

Silence.

“My new campaign is around the corner.”

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