Page 14 of It Kills Me
He blinked several times, like he hoped I’d give a different answer. “How are you supposed to have a family, living this kind of life?”
“People do it every day, Ryan.”
“You’re going to push drugs on the street and be a role model to your children?”
“We don’t push drugs on the street. Our business is far classier and more systematic than that?—”
“This is the bottom line,” he said. “I want to be with you—but not under these conditions. I hate to put you in this position and give you an ultimatum like this, but I think we should figure this out now before we go any further.”
“And you didn’t think we should have this conversation…I don’t know…not at a dinner party?”
He looked annoyed. “You’re the one who pressed me?—”
“Because you were clearly ticked off about something.”
He took a long drink of his champagne and gave a heavy sigh.
We stood there in silence, and I tried not to look angry since so many people were around. If my father looked this way, he would recognize the unease on my face. He was never late to anything so he’d probably been the first person here.
“I’m sorry.” Ryan’s eyes found mine again. “I’ve just been thinking, and we need to figure this out.”
“I’m not going to walk away from the business. And even if I did, I’m still his daughter, and there’s not much I can do about that—unless I cut him out of my life, which I would never do.”
He stared at me, releasing a quiet sigh.
I refused to apologize for it. I had been honest about my ties to the underworld since the night we met. He didn’t seem to care at the time, probably because he just wanted to get laid and didn’t see it going beyond that, but then it turned into something more serious.
“I guess it’s settled, then.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and took a drink. “Guess so.”
“Let’s get through the night…and worry about this later.”
“Get through the night?” I asked in disbelief. “I think you should leave, Ryan.”
“I’m not going to drop you in the middle of the party.”
“You just did.” I felt the rage in my blood. “I would much rather drink alone than pretend to enjoy your company.”
Ryan looked at me, clearly unsure what to do.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for, Ryan.” I walked away so he wouldn’t have to make the move first. I went to the bar, ditched the flute of champagne, and ordered something more substantial—an old-fashioned. The second the orange and bitters hit my tongue, I felt better…but also worse.
A man appeared at my side at the bar. “You alright?” I expected my father, but it was Axel. I recognized him by the sound of his voice, deep like the depths of the ocean, full of mystery and darkness.
“Never better.” I took another drink.
“Want me to take care of him?”
“Why do you assume he did anything wrong?” I stared at the square ice cubes in my glass.
“I can tell he pissed you off.”
I took another drink. “He dumped me.”
I expected Axel to make some smartass comment or try to get me into bed, but he remained as serious as when he’d first walked up to me. “It’s his loss, Scarlett. You know that.”
I pivoted at the bar to look at him.