Every Little Dream(17)

Inside the shop, we take a seat in the corner. He slides a thick envelope across the table. I don’t even have to look but see the edges of a stack of green. Money?

“Who are you and what do you want?” I spit out. Tears prick my eyes. Right there in front of me would be more than enough to help my dad. But this amount of cash is never given without strings attached.

“It’s simple. We’d like you to date young Chadwick. Encourage him to take the internship at his father’s law offices. This is the first half. You will receive the second half of the payment, once Chadwick finishes the internship.” He places his hand on the envelope. “And we’ll take care of the young man who bothered you this afternoon.”

“I…” I can’t speak. Everything I need is right here. Practically free. But at what price? I barely know Chad, but he likes me. He trusts me. And I like him too. He’d never expect me to betray him like this.

“I know you’ll make the right choice.” His eyes are cold, calculating, and he continues with instructions like I’m just going to accept the money. “You can’t tell the young man. If you do, our agreement is null and void.” Then after another curt nod, he walks out, leaving the money on the table.

I’m still in shock. He’s gone before I can shove it all back at him, making sure he knows I don’t need a handout. The nerve of the guy. I didn’t even agree and he left. I stuff it into my purse. Chad’s definitely more than I thought at first sight. I understand a small part of why he needs a friend. Someone is pulling the strings in his life. I understand why he got tattoos. Why he rides a bike. Why he’s a rebel.

And I’m more certain that he needs me just as much as I need him.



Chad



I park outside the law offices of Blake and Seymour, then brush through the lobby, ignoring the secretary.

“Mr. Seymour! Your father is in the middle of a conference call.” She stammers a bit. “If you’d take a seat…”

She gives up because I completely ignore her. I don’t even knock but burst into my father’s private office. A hulking man, one I haven’t seen before, grabs my arms. His biceps are the size of my legs. He stares straight ahead, his crooked nose and a two-inch scar above his eye meant to intimidate. His grip tightens like a vice as he waits for my father’s command.

Dad’s eyes flick up from his conference call. He waves us away. The guy tries to push me out the door, but I swing my free hand and catch him in the side of the face.

In two seconds, he slams me to the ground. My arm is twisted so far behind my back it feels like it might break any second. Just completely snap off. I can’t help the tiny grunting sounds escaping. My face is mashed into the plush carpet I admired the day before.

We stay in this position. Dad’s deep professional voice tapers off. The call must be ending. Then silence. Until I see Dad’s shiny black shoes next to my face. They walk away. The armchair squeaks as he moves it close to me and sinks into it, not making any motion for who must be his private bodyguard to let me go. His expensive pant leg flops as he crosses his legs and the one on top doesn’t stop moving.

I grunt again. The pain spreading from my shoulders into my back.

He says nothing. He doesn’t need to. The disappointment rolls off him, the constant judgment without having to say a word. It’s nothing I’m not familiar with. I’ve been a constant failure in his eyes. Ever since Mom left. Ever since Mom refused to be controlled anymore. I couldn’t just walk away. Not when he held the purse strings of my trust. Not when he controlled every aspect of my life.

Dad sighs. “It doesn’t have to be this way, Chadwick.”

I bite my tongue. He’s goading me. Wants me to mouth off. Probably so this guy can slam my face against the floor again. I refuse to cry uncle and ask this guy to let me go.

“I had such high hopes for you…for us working together.”

He doesn’t have to say anymore. His words are laden with all the memories. All the times he brought me into his office and let me sit in his twirly leather chair. The times he let me touch his stash of gold coins. I thought those times were bonding, time with Dad. But he really was grooming me, feeding my lust for money and power, so I could grow up and be like him.

The private bodyguard tightens his grip. I stifle a cry of pain.

“You’re dressed the part though.” Dad’s voice is hard and cold like a winter day with no hope of sun. “Outside of your burst of immaturity, I assume you’re here to accept my offer. About time you came to your senses.”

The image of Katie’s face flashing with fear, reminds me of the other reason I’m here. “She almost got hurt.” I force out.