Page 38 of Monster's Edge

If I don’t, there will be hell to pay.

The first several guests have arrived when my father emerges from his office. He ignores our company and instead comes to find me loitering by the bar that the caterers set up. Yes, the party has barely started and I’m already drinking. My father says nothing but places a hand on my wrist. I understand his silent message, so I nod and follow him away from the event. We head down a quiet side hallway. I don’t make a fuss.

“Father?” I ask once we’re alone. I don’t really know why he wants to talk to me. All I know is that it’s probably important. Why else would he have pulled me aside? My dad doesn’tdocasual talk. That’s not really his style. He’s much more concerned with making sure every single person here does what they’re supposed to. I guarantee that each of these guests owes my dadsomething.

“We need to talk.”

“Of course,” I nod even though I don’t know what this is about. “What’s on your mind?” The secret to staying alive when it comes to my father is giving him what he wants. It’s a bit pathetic. If he wants to talk, we talk. If he wants me to fuck off, I do that.

“About Ian,” he tells me.

“About Ian,” I agree. My dad knows I slept with Ian. It wasn’t my choice, but I’ll do it again if I get the chance. Fucking Ian was like magic. I’veneverbeen with anyone like him before and something tells me that I’m never going to be with anyone quite like him ever again. Still, I don’t really know what my dad is going to say to me about this man he works with. My heart starts to race.

“He’s moving forward with the business merger,” my father tells me.

“That’s good, isn’t it?” The two of them have something planned. I don’t really know the details of it.

“He’s got his eye on you.”

There it is. A statement. A fact. My father’s voice holds no opinions at all. Instead, he’s just sharing information that I already know.

Ian wants me. A lot. He likes me. A lot. And what my fatherisn’tsaying is that Ian will do what it takes to acquire me.

My stomach twists.

“Is that so?” I ask quietly. I don’t want to argue with my dad. Not tonight. I certainly don’t want to argue about Ian. There’s a part of me that’s always known my dad would one day auction me off to the highest bidder. To be honest, I’m shocked it hasn’t happened yet. Most of his friends’ kids got married off in their early 20s. Same with my cousins. I’m one of the last Amato kids to still be single. Now I wonder if it’s only a matter of time.

“When he arrives tonight, be pleasant.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t irritate him.”

“I won’t.”

“Don’t give him all of your attention, either,” my father continues. That last one surprises me a little. The shock must show on my face because my dad smirks ever-so-slightly. The wrinkles around his eyes seem to grow a little bigger. He might be a murderer and something of a douchebag, but my dad has plenty of happy moments in his life, too.

“No?” I ask, clarifying.

“Let him work a little for your affection.”

Then he leaves. It’s the strangest interaction I think I’ve ever had with my dad. Normally, he yells at me or bosses me around. He generally has some sort of order for me, but not tonight. This evening, he seems happy to just ask me to be a bit aloof around Ian. If that’s all that he wants, then...well, that’s easy.

Right?

*

AS IT TURNS OUT, AVOIDINGthe hottest fucking guy in the mob isn’t easy. Not when I already know what his cock feels like in my mouth. Not when I already know what dirty shit he says during sex. Maybe he fucked someone after he dropped me off at work or even had someone blow him right before the party. I don’t know, and to be honest, I don’t care because I want to be the next girl. I want it to be me.

Ian shows up looking fine as hell and for some reason, our eyes lock across the crowded room. It’s all very Hallmarkish and romantic, but I know that my father is watching, so I immediately turn to the nearest guy and start talking. It’s Havisham Reynolds – one of the strangest people here – and he seems amused with my attention.

“Havisham,” I say, grabbing his arm gently. I smile brightly. “How have you been? It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has been a long time.” He pushes his wire-rimmed glasses up his nose and looks at me carefully. Havisham is one person who doesn’t actually have any mob connections aside from my dad. At least, he doesn’t have any that I know about. He does legal work for my father from time to time. It’s all on-the-books stuff, which is important to my dad. I don’t know if Havisham does work for any of the other families, but my father either has something on him or owes him a favor in exchange for all of this. Who knows? Maybe Dad is protecting Havisham from something or someone. “I’ve been quite well, dear. You?”

“Oh, I’ve been doing really well.” My voice trails off as I look from Havisham toward Ian. Yes, Ian has noticed me talking to this man. No, he’s not pleased. A scowl spreads across his face that makes my damn pussy throb. Shit. What am I doing? I don’t want Havisham – I want Ian. Still, I know thateveryoneis watching me tonight, including my father. I turn back to the white-haired lawyer. He’s at least twice my age – maybe more.

“Are you still in school?”

---