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Eli’s gaze remains fixed on him. Deadpan.

“And I suggest you rethink your situation,” he says. “You entered our premises without an appointment, brought three legal representatives into a private staff area, and began issuing demands to my business partner.” Eli steps in and closes the door behind him, clearly here to stay. “It has everything to do with me.”

“I’m here for my daughter.”

“Then you should have waited for her to contact you.”

Eli remains in position, standing tall.

“It’s alright, Ace,” I say. “Alice is on her way here. She can tell these two pricks to fuck off for herself when she arrives.”

The car will be arriving any minute, I know that. I got a notification on my phone once they’d been picked up from mine.

Alice could’ve stayed safely behind a locked door while I ditched these idiots from the casino without allowing either of them near her, but still, sooner or later, she was going to have to face these assholes all over again. They aren’t going to let it go quietly.

At least this time when she does it, she’ll have me at her side. And Bryce.

From the looks of it, she may well have Eli, too.

Parker nods towards my phone.

“Call her now. Find out where she is.”

“No. She’ll be here when she gets here.”

“She’s my fucking daughter. Not your silly little plaything.”

I really can’t stand this wanker. It’s hard not to just get up and knock the cunt out.

“She’s nobody’s plaything,” I tell him. “I take Alice seriously enough to let her choose her own life path. To help her achieve what she wants to. The kind of things you do for those you love.”

“That’s bullshit, Reid. You’ve manipulated her from the beginning!”

I try to keep my voice steady. Not rising to their bullshit.

“No. I simply gave her information. Helped her. You should try it sometime. Might do you some good.”

“You barely know Alice!” Christopher says.

“I know her a damn sight better than you do.”

Parker waves Christopher to the side.

“Listen, Reid. Alice has no independent money, no suitable accommodation and no practical understanding of professional life. Whatever fantasy you’ve encouraged will collapse within days.”

“Then wait for it to happen, big guy. Sit by, and bask in the glory of an I told you so that will never be heading your way.”

“You intend to fund her? Is that what you’re saying? Seriously?”

“I won’t need to. Her triptych sold for one point two five million, remember?”

“Money she won’t receive immediately. It can take months to process.”

“I’m sure I can bail her out in the meantime.” I gesture around us. “Hate to break it to you, but it’s pretty obvious I have money.”

“This thing with Alice won’t work,” Parker says. “She’s lived a protected life. She requires structure.”

“Control, you mean?”