My father’s head drops into his hands. A sob rattles his chest.
I take a half-step then freeze, torn between wanting to comfort him and wanting to strangle him for doing this to our family. Parker steps to my side and wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“Don’t worry, Sweet P. We’ll fix it.”
“How?”
“First, by putting you on the jet and flying you as far from here as possible,” Nate says, barely containing his anger. “I want you out of this city until this is over.”
My spine stiffens. “I’m not leaving. My family needs me.”
“You’re leaving.”
“No. I’m. Not.” I grit the words out between clenched teeth.
Nate stares at me for a long moment, then shifts his eyes to Parker. “Call the airport. Tell them you both leave tomorrow morning, first thing.”
My brother nods, reaches into his pocket, and walks to a corner to make the call.
“I’m not going!” I snap, glaring at Nate. Boo, likely hearing the edge in my voice, barks his support from the floor. “I’m not going to be carted off like some damsel in distress because you think I’m too soft to handle this. This is my fight, just as much as anyone else’s.”
“You can scream at me till you’re red in the face, little bird.” Nate’s eyes never waver from mine and there’s so much steel in his tone, I barely notice the endearment. “Your ass will still be on that fucking plane.”
“You’re a jackass,” I snap at him. Boo barks again, for emphasis.
He smiles, and it’s so cold it makes me shiver. Without another word, he turns back to my father, who’s slumped in his chair like a broken mannequin.
“I’ll have one of my men keep an eye on you in case Mac tries anything, but I have a feeling if he’s going to target anyone, it’ll be Phoebe, Parker, or…” His words cut off abruptly and his body goes tense. “Does Mac know about her?”
Her?
My father’s head comes up. Something Nate said is important enough to pull him out of his pity-party.
“I don’t think so.” Milo shakes his head. “It’s not public knowledge. Not yet.” His eyes shift to me for a brief instant, then dart back to Nate. “I haven’t had a chance to…”
He drifts off.
What the hell are they talking about? Who the hell are they talking about?
Nate nods sharply. “Still, I’ll tell Chase to amp up security, just in case.”
Chase?
Chase Croft?
“One of men will stay with your son. I’ll stick with your daughter until she leaves. It’s better if they’re both away until this is resolved,” Nate says.
A frustrated screech escapes my mouth. “I’m not leaving.”
He ignores me. “Call if you get word from Mac,” he tells Milo, his voice cold with disgust. “And don’t do anything without clearing it with me first.”
Before I can say goodbye to my father, Nate’s turned, grabbed hold of my hand, and is tugging me toward the door.
“Wait just a goddamn minute!” I yell, tugging at his grip ineffectively. God, he’s strong. Boo trots ahead of us, tail twitching happily as he goes to investigate a potted plant in the corner.
We come to a stop by Parker, who’s shoving his phone back into the pocket of his jeans.
“Is it done?” Nate asks.
Parker nods. “Seven sharp, tomorrow morning.”
A sigh escapes Nate — I’d swear, it sounds almost relieved. “Good. We’re going to her place to pack her shit.”
“No we aren’t,” I snap. “Because I’m not leaving.”
They both ignore me.
The sound of a chair being pushed back makes us all turn toward the desk. Milo’s on his feet, looking more himself — all traces of weakness have been removed from his expression. If not for the faint redness around his eyes, you’d never know he’d been upset at all.
“I’ll fix this.” His voice is firm with false confidence. This is the father I recognize — the man who can sell any idea to anyone with a checkbook. “Everything in life is negotiable. I’ll fix it. I promise.”