Page 152 of Sins of the Father

His voice lowers. It’s full of arrogance. “Of course I do. You don’t think I’d make this happen without a way to have her in my bed by Monday night, did you?”

“You motherfucker,” I yell. “You’ll never touch her again.”

He snarls, “Don’t make claims you know won’t stick, Son. She’s mine. She’s always been mine. She’ll alwaysbemine. Now man up and do what’s necessary.”

Ted pulls up and gets out of the car.

“Steven, get in the car,” Harper says.

I walk several feet away from Harper, Claire, and Ethan. “You think she’ll let you near her after this?”

Maximillion scoffs. “Again, you’re talking about things you know deep down aren’t true. Now stop being emotional. You’ve got my blood, act like it. I’ll see you Monday.” He hangs up.

Stunned, pissed, and shaking with disgust, I don’t move.

“Steven, get in the car,” Ethan sternly says.

“Please,” Harper begs.

“Harper, let’s go.” Claire leads Harper to the car.

“That—”

“Don’t talk about anything until we’re in the car,” Ethan advises. “Take a deep breath and get inside.” He holds his hand toward the vehicle.

I obey, and when I slide in, Harper grabs my hand and squeezes. Her green eyes are full of worry, and I hate the fact my family life is so screwed up, and she’s being dragged into it.

The door shuts.

“That was the governor?” Claire asks.

“Yes,” I reply.

“What did he say?”

“If I report to him for work Monday, then all this goes away for my mom.” My head begins to pound, and blood thumps between my ears.

“What? How?” Harper asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

“Steven, why does he want you to work for him?” Claire asks.

“The morning I was named aMarquis’sTop Ten Under Forty Professional, he called me and said I was going to head his finances for his campaign. I told him no then. He showed up in my apartment the next night after Quinn’s wedding. He was sitting there when I walked in. He insisted again I was going to work for him.”

Claire tilts her head and squints. “Why is it important you work for him?”

“He said it would look good for his campaign since I had good press behind me from the award. Other than that, I don’t know.”

“I have a hunch why,” Ethan offers.

“What’s that?”

“You’re a genius when it comes to numbers. Someone with your skills could hide money really well. When we met with Noah today, you saw things on my spreadsheet that my MBA, Ivy League grads didn’t find. If he’s in with the mob, your skills are vital.”

“There’s no way I’m laundering money for him.”

Harper squeezes my hand again and scoots closer.

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