AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Stuff for the hotel,” he said, keeping a heavy arm on top of the material.
I narrowed my eyes, uncertain.
“Can I help at all?”
He lifted a brow, confused at my sudden interest in the hotel that I have only expressed hatred for over the past few years. But things had changed. I might lose the hotel. I might lose my life…my parents…my brother. The list was endless.
“It is really boring financial information.” He waved his hand unconvincingly. My father was a good liar—one bred to lie. But if you knew him long enough, there was a tell. His jaw would tighten, and he would rub at his chin.
“Dad, who’s Samuel Webb?” I leaned forward.
“A potential business partner,” he said, his jaw tightening once more. “The deal didn’t work out.”
“What deal?”
“Why the sudden interest, Audry Grace?” My father leaned forward, reflecting my questioning.
I shrugged. “Maybe it’s just a new leaf.”
My father stared at me for a moment. In that second, I thought he knew I knew. The game of chess we were playing was almost a stalemate, his king and my king standing in front of one another, ready to tip. But he shook his head.
“I don’t need you involved,” he said under his breath.
“But, Dad…I’m supposed to learn aboutallfacets of the business.”
“Not this one,” he said, shooing me away. “I have a meeting I need to prepare for. Why don’t you see if your mother has any tasks?”
I rose from my chair, fidgeting with my hands.
“One day, maybe you’ll understand,” he mumbled.
I turned to tell him I did understand, to relay that I knew everything. But the words stopped in my throat as I saw his expression. His brows furrowed in, his jaw clenched, his fists tightened so hard I swore I would see blood in any moment.
He was terrified. My father, the strong man who would lift me onto his shoulders so I could see the boats come in—the strongest man I knew—was terrified.
“What is it?” he said, glancing up at me from over the frame of his glasses.
I didn’t want to shatter the fantasy he found hope in. He found hope in keeping me in the dark—he felt that was safe. So, I would let him stay there…at least for now.
“I love you, Dad.”
His eyes lit up. “I love you too.”
I made my way down to the lobby, unsure what to do with myself. The hotel was winding down from its busy season, which meant the bar was pretty empty. I slipped into a seat, drumming my fingers against the counter.
I hated being in limbo. The waiting for Kai to return, and the impending doom of being caught by Samuel or the cops, had me on a frustrated edge. I wanted to do more—I wanted to be able to help myself.
“Here you go.” The young waiter brought over my usual, sliding it across the bar. I glanced at it, the dark whisky mixed with coke.
“Can I borrow your pen?” I asked, pointing to the waiter’s shirt pocket.
He nodded, a single piece of black hair falling into his face.
At the top of a napkin, I wrote ‘Potential Business Deals.’What would my father want with Samuel Webb?I thought, ready to fill my time with brainstorming. It wasn’t like my father to keep the company of criminals, but maybe I was wrong. If what Kai had said about the treaty was true, it was my dad’s job to hang out with criminals.
My phone pinged, catching my attention.
Kai<3
