Ace descended the stairs and came up behindme as I opened the door to find a cleaned up and nicely dressedViktor standing on the stoop.
I shook my head at Viktor, “How did you findme?”
“The school has a directory. Notdifficult.”
I took in a deep breath and glanced back atAce, who crossed his arms over his chest, making sure Viktornoticed the rifle. A bit over the top maybe, but I had told him tolook scary. I’d also promised him I’d keep it short. Well, Viktorhad seen my dad; that was all we needed. Time to get out ofthere.
“All right, well, I guess we’d better begoing.”
Viktor nodded, but Ace put a hand on my arm.“Just a minute there, young lady. Why don’t you invite the youngman in?” His voice was subtly deeper than I’d ever heard it, and itresonated with confidence.
My jaw almost dropped in total shock, but Imanaged to turn it into an annoyed teenagerly scowl at the lastsecond. “Dad,” I practically growled, shaking his hand off my arm.“What are you doing? Don’t embarrass me in front of Viktor.”
He ignored me and opened the door wider,stepping close enough to Viktor to make him visibly uncomfortable.Viktor shifted on his feet, but didn’t back up.
“So. You’re Viktor?” Ace said. He let hiseyes travel over Viktor’s entire body, making it obvious he wasjudging every last inch of him.
Viktor swallowed hard then nodded, “Yes,sir. Viktor Megolovic.” His eyes flicked to the gun. “Nice to meetyou, sir.” Viktor held out his hand.
Ace deliberately set the rifle down againstthe doorjamb, then took Viktor’s hand firmly in his. Viktor’s eyesrounded as Ace gripped his hand so hard it turned white. Ace pulledhim just slightly closer and said, “I just want you to know I’m acertified expert marksman.” He paused a moment to let that sink inbefore adding, “And I love my daughter.” Then he winked and made asucking sound out of one side of his mouth and nodded his headbefore releasing Viktor’s hand.
As it fell to his side, Viktor shook hishand lightly. “Of course, sir. I’ll take good care of her. Ipromise.” He smiled stiffly at Ace, who nodded gravely.
I fought down the laugh that threatened toburst out of me. I kept up the embarrassed teen act and hurriedlysaid, “Okay, Dad. I think that’s enough. Viktor, you ready?”
“Yeah,” Viktor said. “My car’s just rightdown the street.” He pointed toward a large Cadillac Escaladeparked in front of a fire hydrant with its hazard lightsflashing.
“Bye, Dad. See you around midnight.”
“I expect you to be on your best behaviortonight, Amber. I’ll be waiting up, so check in with me when youget home.”
“I will. Don’t worry. I won’t be late.”
Viktor led me to the passenger side door. Iwondered if he was making a show for my dad. After I climbed in, hewalked around to his side, opened the door and waved. The windowswere tinted, so I got my first glance of the passengers afterwatching Viktor get in.
He turned the car on, his face a mask ofcalm. He waved once more as we pulled out into the street, and thenhe let his true colors show, swearing colorfully. “Amber, couldyour dad be any worse?”
I hid my face, acting embarrassed. “I doubtit.”
“What happened, Vik? We couldn’t hear. Don’thold back.” The voice was unfamiliar. I craned my neck to see.Carson and his date sat on the seat directly behind us, along withMikado and his date, squished together. A boy with a shock ofplatinum blonde hair and deep blue eyes sat in the seat at the backwith a pretty girl with a mass of silky red hair.
The platinum-haired boy was still snickeringafter asking the question.
Viktor recounted the whole encounter, addingall sorts of belligerent cuss words. Then he turned to me and said,“No wonder you didn’t want me to pick you up at your house.”
I shrugged and gave my best told-you-solook.
“I don’t blame the guy,” Carson said. “If heknew anything about you, he’d never have allowed his preciousdaughter to go anywhere with you.”
Viktor laughed like Carson had just givenhim the biggest compliment, ever—further confirmation that I hadreason to be wary.
The boy in the back high-fived Carson andsaid, “That’s right. Parents watch out, Viktor’s in the house.” Heand his date laughed it up. “Precious cargo…”
“Hey, I warned you. I wanted to meet you atthe subway hole. You should have listened to me.”
“Well, I’m glad that’s over. That dude ispsycho.”
“Hey!” I protested. “He is my dad!”
“All I have to say is you better be worthit,” he winked at me, sending another wave of revulsion through me.“I’m done talking about parents now—let’s get this party started!”He cranked up the music, and everyone started screaming along tothe songs and throwing their arms in the air, rocking the truck. Iplayed along. I had no doubt my “dad” was a passing memory. So muchfor the protection I’d hoped to gain. I was on my own.
Chapter 12
It was a good hour and a half to get toJericho’s house on Long Island because of the terrible traffic. Itsurprised me on one level that New York, with all its millions ofresidents, didn’t have wider streets to accommodate more cars, orat least double-decker streets. The subways were packed, thestreets were packed. There had to be a better way. With all thepeople in the city, they should have a better handle on it. Realestate was too expensive to widen the streets, and the truth wasthe subway was the way to get around the city. Unfortunately, thebest way to move around Long Island was in a car.
I never thought I’d find New York as cool asI had. The food was to die for, and there was never a dull momentwith all the interesting people and places to see, not to mentionall the cool street artists. While I did find a lot of itconfusing, it was interesting, and I once again thanked Heaven formy job that took me to such amazing places.
My mouth dropped as we drove up the longdriveway to Jericho’s. This boy’s family had money
