“I know,” I reply. “But he seems okay about it all, though.”
One tear slides down her face as she pulls her legs up, resting her chin on her knees. “I think he’s just trying to do the right thing. And what does that get him? Disowned by his father and now struggling to save his business.” She pauses and then growls, “I fucking hate his father.”
I wrap my arm around her, leaning my head against hers. “I hate him, too.”
And now, nearly ten years later, I’m staring into the face of that man.
Darius’s father doesn’t respond to my apology for nearly banging into him. First, that’s probably beneath him to talk to someone like me. Second, he has no idea who I am because I’ve never personally met him. But every once in a while, I’ll see an article about him in the news. He’s a very rich investor. My body is tingling as I absentmindedly move toward Darius’s office.
“He’s free,” says Charlotte from behind her desk. “Go on in.”
I’m still not able to get my thoughts together when I enter Darius’s office, finding him behind his desk. “Was that your father?” I ask.
Darius lifts his head. “What’s that?”
“Your father, was that him?”
His eyebrows draw together as he reaches for his phone, placing it to his ear. “Charlotte, was my father here? Okay. Perfect. Thank you.” He hangs up the phone. “Yes, my father was here. Charlotte tells me he was dropping off documents. Now please shut the door; we’ve got something to discuss.”
I do as he asks, but I spin around quick, so that he can’t get off easy. “Why is he here?”
Darius sighs, leaning back in his chair, giving me a measured look. “I’m considering doing business with him.”
“Please tell me you’re not serious,” I say, approaching him.
He hesitates. Then, “This is about money, Taylor, nothing more, nothing less.”
“Well, it shouldn’t be about anything,” I retort, placing my hands on my hips, staring him down. I can’t believe this. I can’t believe him. “What will this cost you to do business with him?”
“It will cost me nothing. If anything, it will make me a lot of money,” he says, voice devoid of emotion.
I snort and fold my arms. “I’m talking about you, your personal investment, and you know that. When did you start talking to him again?”
“He showed up here the other day. That’s the first time I’ve talked to him in ten years.” Darius watches me carefully for a minute before addressing me again. “I haven’t said yes to his business deal yet, so there’s no sense getting your hackles up about it.”
“Oh, my hackles are up.” I want to scream at him. Maybe even shake him, too.
Darius hesitates then sighs heavily, placing his hands flat on his desk. “I need to talk to you about something else, but maybe we should wait to talk until you’re in a better mood.”
I narrow my eyes at him, because I know Darius. If it financially makes sense to go into business with his father, he will. But at the same time, I realize he’s done talking about it for now. And when he’s done, he’s done, so I oblige the subject change. “You might as well just tell me. I can’t imagine my mood getting any worse than what it is right now.”
“Shawn’s in San Francisco.”
“Nope, I’m wrong, it can get worse.” My heart begins pumping fast, my fingers curl into fists. How dare he? “Please explain to me how you know that?”
Darius rises from his seat, moving in front of me. His eyes are guarded. “You got me. I’m trapped. I don’t know how to answer this question without pissing you off.”
“Why?” I offer, raising my brows, hoping he sees how pissed I am. “Because I told you to stay out of this?”
He neatly avoids my question and reaches into his pocket, handing me a business card. “Here, this is for you.”
I look at the card, seeing it’s for someone at the police department. “What’s this?”
He arches a brow. “I think it is pretty self-explanatory.”
Of course it is, but I want him to say it. I want him to own up to what he’s done. “Clearly it isn’t, since I’m asking.”
“Shawn is here, Taylor,” Darius says gently, though his eyes now show concern. “I’m worried for you.”