“Are you coming, Poppy?” Godric probed.
I shook my head at the waste of money on such a frivolous item and walked into his home. “I’m going to put a pink sparkly bow around that lion’s neck. That is how ridiculous that monstrosity is.”
“Touch it, and I’ll spank you.” Godric crossed his arms.
My eyes narrowed on his. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.” His gaze ran over my features, and then he walked away through the gigantic foyer. Over his shoulder, he asked, “Where do we want to talk? Office or living room?”
My bracelet buzzed. I glanced down and read the readout. Oh, this will be fun. I cleared my throat, and stated, “Actually, I need to take this call first.”
The three men stopped and looked back.
Godric asked, “Who is it?”
“My father.” I tapped my bracelet, putting him on hold. I looked up, keeping my expression serene. “Is there a place I can talk in private?”
Godric ground his molars together. “You and I will need to discuss your father at some point.”
Because I was his…mate.
This situation was fucked.
“We will talk.” I waved my hand left and right. “But where do I go to take this?”
He pointed to my left. “The kitchen is down that hallway. It’s private enough. Eat something while you talk with him. You look exhausted.”
I nodded and started that way. “I will. Thank you.”
“And Poppy?” Godric purred.
I stopped and looked at him. “Yeah?”
One side of his lips curled up into a cruel smile. “Make sure to tell your father you’re no longer marrying Mr. Moore. However you want to phrase, I don’t care. Because if Mr. Moore comes to New City to claim you, I will kill him.”
*
“Hello, Father.” I popped a handful of nuts into my mouth, chewing vigorously. My left foot kept tapping in my nervousness, and my palms were sweating. “How are you doing?”
“Poppy Bree Carvene, I am so upset with you,” he growled. My full name had been used. He was well and truly pissed. “Did you even think before you ran away? Or did you merely not give a shit about what I thought was best for you?”
I closed my eyes and dropped my forehead into my right hand. “I love you, Father. I do care what you think. But I told you so many times I wasn’t going to marry a stranger. You didn’t listen to me.”
“So you just decided the fucking Corporate Army was the best solution?” He grunted over the call. “You’re lucky I covered for you when they contacted me. Otherwise, you’d be sitting in a jail cell right now, darling dearest.”
“I’m sorry. I really am.”
He was quiet for a long second before he asked, “The tests should be done by now. Do I need to send a train to pick you up and bring you home? Or did those cocksuckers get their claws into you?”
A genuine smile lifted my lips. I tossed a couple more nuts into my mouth with glee. I whispered in excitement, “I passed, Father. I did really well.”
“Of course, you did. You’re my kid.”
I grinned full-blown. “You’re proud of me. I can hear it in your voice.”
“Those tests are rough. That signature you forged of mine was allowing your death sentence. I obtained a copy of it, and there’s a goddamn death clause in it stating they aren’t responsible if you die during their tests.”
“Well, I didn’t die.” I cleared my throat.
I would never die now.
My head spun again with the realization.
“But you could have.”
“I’m fine,” I lied. I shook my head past the dizziness, and put my new life existence on the backburner. “So about Brandon…”
My father snorted. “I’ll handle him.”
“Are you sure?”
“You’re staying in that damn Corporate Army, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then the marriage contract is void.”
I took another drink of water. “Father, I think he kind of liked me. He kissed my hand for a long time.”
“Wait, did you like him too? Am I misreading this?”
“No. I didn’t like him. What I’m trying to say is that I don’t want him coming after me.”
There was a smile in his voice. “Don’t worry, darling dearest. Your father will handle the big scary man for you.”
I chuckled. “Don’t kill him.”
“I won’t,” he hummed. “As long as he doesn’t mess with you. I don’t think he will. As I said before, he’s a good man. And he’s one I trust. But I’ve seen good men turn bad too. I’ll keep an eye on him.”
I sighed. “Father, I really am sorry.”
He rumbled, “For which thing? That you joined Mr. King’s army or for turning your back on the Liberated Army or for running away and making me worry you might die?”
I nibbled on my bottom lip. “It’s not as bad as all that.”
“It’s exactly like that.” His sigh was loud. “But, popular to contrary opinion—I’m talking about your opinion—I do understand why you did it.”
“Seriously?”
He chuckled. “Back in the day, I was once young. I know what it’s like to be forced into marriage. Though, I was lucky. Your mother and I came to love each other very much.”
I grinned. “I can see why. You’re quite the catch.”
“Maybe a long time ago I was.”
I popped another nut into my mouth. “You still are. I got my looks from you. And you always say I’m too pretty for my own good.” I chewed in thought. “You know, Father, since you like those marriage contracts so much, you could always sign yourself up again—”
“No!” he cut me off fast. Then he breathed and stated more calmly, “Don’t be cheeky.”
I laughed in pure malicious entertainment. “You don’t like those tables being turned on you, huh?”
“Hush,” he muttered. “So when can I see you?”
“Miss me already?”
“What I don’t miss is your dishes left everywhere. It’s been nice having a clean kitchen.”