The phone rang a second time.
Her heart sank, remembering dancing with her dad at the father-daughter school dance. She didn’t realize when she was little that most of his valiant parenting efforts were merely photo opportunities. Although, it couldn’t have all been for show, could it? Surely some part of him loved her like a father was supposed to love a daughter.
The phone rang a third time.
He always let the phone ring three times when he was negotiating a business deal. And that was all this was. A concerned father would have picked up the phone on the first ring. This wasn’t about her safety; it was a game of chess. In the last week, three complete strangers had shown her more love and affection than her parents had given her in her entire life. This was an opportunity to create a family of her own, and second-guessing herself was not an option.
The receiver clicked twice, telling Jillian that the conversation was being recorded.
“Are you all right, peanut?” her father asked.
“Yeah.” She smiled out of habit, knowing that smiles always carried through in your voice. “I’m just out and about, stretching my legs.”
“You know I didn’t mean what I said last night.” He spoke in a low and serious tone.
“Don’t even worry about it, Daddy.” She looked at Conner. “I know you were just upset.”
“I wish you would come home.” Her father sighed. “I can’t help but think that you might have gotten mixed up with some dangerous people.”
He went right for the jugular. Jillian remembered how he had accused her of associating with radical environmentalist groups that had been sending him death threats over DuPont’s drilling plan.
“The people that you’re mixed up are the dangerous ones.” She made a conscious effort to relax her jaw.
“The state of my office says otherwise.” He shuffled the phone from one ear to the other. “It looks like a bomb went off in here.”
“There was no bomb,” she assured him. “That was just me not wanting to spend my life in a padded room. Did you read my article?”
“I did.” He cleared his throat. “It was very well written. But it had a negative vibe. I feel like there’s enough of that floating around the internet these days, don’t you?”
“Totally.” She bounced her knee. “We should be spreading positivity and environmental awareness instead of talking about all the mistakes people have made in the past. But, on the other hand, those who refuse to acknowledge their mistakes are doomed to repeat them.”
“I hear what you’re saying.” His tone became more defeated with every response. “I know I haven’t always said or done the right thing. But…” James Lox’s politician persona cracked, and for a moment, it almost seemed like a real person was shining through from underneath. “I’m proud of you for standing up for what you think is right.”
“That means a lot, Dad.” Her voice became scratchy as she fought back the tears. “I love you.”
“I love you too, peanut.” His public-speaking voice turned back on, and Jillian’s eyes closed as she realized she was once again speaking to the political machine. “So, what is it that I can do to show my support? And also, when can you get my important papers back to me?”
“It would mean a lot if you can just watch out for Hemlock Park.” She straightened up. “Any time something comes across your desk, take a second to think about what’s good for the planet before you sign your name to something. I’ll mail you copies of all the stuff you need and hang onto the hard copies… just in case you lose yours.”
“You take care of yourself, peanut.” His tone made her feel unsure of something. “It’s a dangerous world out there.”
Was he warning her that DuPont might come after her himself? Or was he informing her that she was now on his shitlist? Not that it mattered in the long run. She would always have a target on her back after this. The only thing that made her feel better was the fact that she’d have three bear shifters protecting her, come what may. And that made her feel sorry for anyone DuPont or her father might send after her.
On the way out of the club, Cherry held up a folded piece of paper and tucked it into Jillian’s pocket.
“If you ever get tired of playing with the boy scout, you can always give me a call.” Her fake eyelashes and dark eyeliner only made it more evident that she was undressing Jillian with her eyes.
Jillian forced a thin smile before requesting a thousand dollars cash back on her bank card. Cherry agreed but stated that there would be a ten percent fee added on for convenience.
Cash in hand, Conner and Jillian flagged down a taxi. He opened the door for her, and she slid over.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Can you take us to Hemlock Park?” Conner closed the door behind him.
“Kid, that’s like a hundred miles.” The driver curled his lip back as his greasy whiskered face glared at them through the mirror.
“We can afford it,” Conner assured him.
“Five hundred bucks.” The cabby turned around. “Cash, upfront.”
“Fuck that noise.” Conner scoffed. “Cash? We both know you’re only going to run the meter every so often so that you don’t have to split the full take with your boss. Two-fifty, half up front and half when you drop us off.”
“Make it three, and you got yourself a ride.” The guy had already started pulling away from the curb.
“Fine.” Jillian pulled out the money and handed it to the guy. It had been way too long of a night to argue with this clown over fifty bucks. Conner held out his hand, and Jillian laced her fingers through it, leaning her
