"I've seen that look before, Ms. Stevens, and to date nothing good has come from it."
"What look is that, Mr. Sommerton?"
"Misguided determination. Don't get me wrong, the First Lady wears it well, but she also has a knack for trouble."
I chuckle, a loose sound that yesterday would have been full of fun, but today is shallow of feeling. "If trouble comes with justice, then so be it."
"The two go hand in hand," he groans. "Listen, do I need to call in backup for what you have planned?"
"I didn't think the Secret Service talked much. Silence and secrets. Isn't that a prerequisite for the job?"
"I'm not much for rules. Ask Charlie. I barely passed prescreening, and they threw me on her assignment as a joke. She's stuck with me now and because you're her friend, you are too. Talking or no talking, I'd like to know what I'm walking into."
I shrug. "A family reunion ."
THERE'S NOTHING BUT the best for Silas Stevens, and in his mind, the recently renovated Ritz Charlton fits the bill. Thick gray carpet underfoot softens the sound of my heels as I step into his suite. It's as cool as his dark eyes while they take in my appearance. I left my hair down; the pink tips graze my shoulders and the cap sleeves of my skin-tight navy shift dress. An ode to Caden, wherever he is. He may be in camo, but I'm wearing his color while I fight my way out of this family and the mess my father and Lockman created.
"Drink?" He holds up a tumbler as he stops at the small bar. He's a handsome man, Sean Connery in The Hunt for Red October, with his thick platinum hair spun into silver.
"It's not yet noon. No thank you."
My father's brow arches while he splashes two inches of amber liquid in his glass. "I've never known you to turn down a good drink, Piper. So very much like your mother."
I glance through the suite and tuck my clutch under my arm. We're alone. "Times change. People change. I'm not trying to escape my life anymore. In fact, I quite like it, and that's why I'm here."
"Good. Get to the point. I've a meeting with Secretary Matthews in an hour. I don't have time for a stroll down Memory Lane."
A chill rolls up my spine, as cold as his casual inspection. But I can't stop now that the pendulum has swung. I'm not used to pushing this man. The one and only time I defied his wishes was when I ran to Lilyfalls, but I'm about to drag him way out of his comfort zone. "I want my trust fund released to me immediately."
"Oh, dear girl." He laughs. "That ship sailed long ago. I'll not give you a dime."
"Yes, you will. In fact, you'll give me anything I want-double, triple the amount even. Keep up the assholery and I'll push to twenty million." History is a tricky bitch. Mistakes either embed themselves into future decisions or they turn into life lessons. I finally get it. The control stops here. My father will never mistake me for a pawn again. I'm a player and the biggest winner of all. I have a new family, one far away from the manipulation and twisted minds in San Francisco. I'm in charge of my future.
Surprise settles in Silas's features and twists to anger he tries to hind behind his drink. He opens his mouth, and I step forward just as a knock sounds at the door. I answer it before my father moves.
Morgan Lockman. Slicked back hair and a pressed thousand-dollar suit, and he's still ugly. His eyes scape over me from head to my platform-encased toes, and he smirks on his way back up.
"Thank you for joining us," I say, stepping aside and enjoying how his grin fades when my father comes into sight behind me. "Just the two men I need to speak with."
"What's this about, Piper?" my father seethes.
Lockman's shoulders are stiff as he walks in, but otherwise I'd never know my father affects him. "Come now, Silas. We should be pleased Piper has brought us together. I haven't seen you in weeks. It's almost as if you'd like to forget about me. Why is that?"
"No need to get testy, gentleman. I'll make this quick and put you out of your misery. I was just informing my father of the ten million he's going to deposit in my account. And you know why? Because, dear daddy, I've saved your contract with the government worth billions. I think you can spare a few bucks for your one and only daughter."
His gaze narrows, and he shakes his head. "What are you talking about? My appointment with the Secretary has been set for weeks."
"No," I say, and watch Lockman as I do. "The appointment you have isn't to enter into an agreement; it's to negotiate how to negate those you already have in place. Your puppy Morgan Lockman, the man you wanted me to marry, spent the last twelve months undermining your authority by bartering for more contacts, higher returns, and better bargaining power. He sold himself out to the highest bidder so he wouldn't have to rely on you, be bound to your decisions or be at your mercy. A goddamn power play ended with an underhanded deal with terrorists."