Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
The seatbelt felt like a noose as I clicked it into place while my dad sat in the driver’s seat. I had barely buckled in when he started driving.
“Now that your business classes are underway, I really want you to see one of our real estate development projects from start to finish,” he said.
It was only the third week of classes, but my dad had officially opened his Missoula office and wasn’t wasting any time.
“This new venture is going to bring in millions of dollars, and we get to boost housing for the community. Although the most important piece is that it’s going to be our name, The Kane Group, that will be everywhere.”
“Here’s a quick lesson in business advertisement,” my dad continued. “Get your name on as many properties as possible because people trust name recognition and value that. If we’re the ones getting all these big contracts, that proves we are the best. Right, Foster?”
There was only one answer he wanted.
“Yep.”
I’d seen bits and pieces behind the scenes of my dad’s real estate development business, but this was the first project he was bringing me in on from start to finish.
“Do you always work with the same engineering firm?” I asked him.
“Not always. It depends on the project—commercial, residential, or mixed use. For this one, we’re using Holt & Associates.
They’re known for their due diligence, and that reputation helps boost ours.
It gives The Kane Group credibility as we try to establish a foothold in the area.
They’ll handle land development, infrastructure design, permits—everything to make sure the project works with the environment.
There’s already some pushback from the community about water rights, so Holt will also help with public engagement.
They’ll oversee parts of the construction too, and help us decide on a contractor. ”
We pulled up to Holt & Associates which had an office between Dunridge, where CFU was located, and Missoula. When we walked in, the petite blonde receptionist gave my dad a bright white smile.
He leaned on the desk and said, “We’re here to see Parker Holt. I’m Dennis Kane and this is my son, Foster. Parker should be expecting us.”
Her eyelashes fluttered in a way that made me want to vomit. She couldn’t have been much older than me, twenty-five at most. Yet, she looked positively breathless at my dad’s attention. I always hated that he had a charismatic personality when he was such a dick underneath.
“Of course, Mr. Kane,” she said. “I’ll call him right now and let him know you’re here.”
She picked up the phone beside her, pressed a button, and waited, her flirty gaze never once straying from my father’s.
Suddenly, that gag reflex wasn’t just for her behavior, but his.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d thought highly of my dad, but to watch him shamelessly flirt with another woman, knowing my mom was waiting at home, made my stomach churn.
But what was worse was the feeling of helplessness.
I couldn’t even call him out on his inappropriate behavior because I knew that would just result in me embarrassing him, and then him taking it out on me later.
And knowing my dad well, he wasn’t one to use his fists.
No, he preferred manipulation and having power over people to physical violence.
He was one to always manipulate a situation in his favor. I didn’t like constantly feeling beholden to him, but I didn’t know how to escape from under his thumb.
The door down the hall opened, and Parker Holt—whose picture I’d seen on the website—walked out with a friendly smile on his face.
But it wasn’t Parker that made my breath catch. It was the woman next to him.
Abby.
I blinked, thrown for a second. She’d mentioned an internship, but she’d never said it was here.
“Mr. Kane, pleasure to have you here,” Parker said. “I hope you don’t mind that our fabulous intern, Abby Walker, will be joining us today.”
My dad extended his hand with that same charming smirk he’d offered the receptionist. “Nice to meet you.”
I had to bite back a smile when Abby’s expression didn’t even flicker. She stayed cool and professional, not giving him an ounce more than necessary. She was good at that—holding her ground without breaking a sweat.
A flurry of pride, lust, and satisfaction swirled in my gut. It only intensified when she gave me a gentle smile as Parker led us down the hall.
In the conference room, neatly prepared folders waited at each seat. Parker gestured to the materials.
“In front of you, you’ll find an overview of the proposed mixed-use development—about fifty acres with roughly 150 residential units, some retail, and a community park. The terrain’s level, but there’s a small creek along the southern boundary.”
He turned toward Abby. “So what does that tell us, Miss Walker?”
If she was startled by the spotlight, she didn’t show it.
“It means we’ll need to assess stormwater management and any floodplain risks. We’ll also have to evaluate access to utilities and the cost of connecting to municipal lines. Those could become major factors.”
Parker beamed like a proud older brother.
And if I was honest, I was impressed too. I’d seen Abby confident before—mostly when she had been tutoring me—but this was different. Here she was sharp and self-assured. If Parker hadn’t said something, I would have thought she was an employee and not an intern.
I’d never been turned on in a meeting before, but once again, Abby was stirring up something new in me.
Something I wanted a whole lot more of.
Parker continued, “Given the site’s history, we’ll need a Phase I environmental site assessment. You’ll see it listed in your packet as ESA. That’ll tell us if there are any potential liabilities—soil issues, contamination, that kind of thing.”
“What’s involved in a Phase I ESA?” I asked.
My dad clapped me on the back like he was proud I remembered how to form a question. “First time through this process for my son. He’ll be asking plenty of questions.”
Parker just smiled. “We love learners here. Abby, want to walk him through it?”
She nodded smoothly. “It’s a historical and regulatory review—researching past land use, checking public records, and inspecting the site to flag anything that could suggest contamination. If we find issues, then we’d need to do a Phase II—sampling, testing, deeper evaluations.”
“Any known concerns in this region?” my dad asked.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Parker replied. “There’s some history of mining operations nearby—arsenic, heavy metals, that kind of thing. That’s why Abby’s also starting to work on the environmental review so we’re in compliance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act.”
My dad’s shoulders stiffened. Subtle. But I knew that tic. He was pissed.
“Parker,” he said slowly, “I respect your commitment to mentoring, but I’d prefer if your intern didn’t learn hands-on with my project.”
The whole room went silent.
I hated the way Abby’s face blanched. Even Parker looked slightly taken aback, although he recovered much faster than she did. Which I only knew because he was the one who spoke first.
But my gaze was still stuck on Abby.
Sometimes she was hard to read, but right now a range of emotions flitted across her eyes—shame, anger, embarrassment, and then the one I hated the most, doubt.
I knew too well what it was like to be on the other side of my father’s heartlessness.
I didn’t want that for her.
How dare he put that look on her face. How dare he make her doubt how fucking amazing she was.
“I assure you, Miss Walker is quite adept at her job,” Parker said.
“And although she’s an intern, she’s the best intern we’ve ever had.
She even outpaces some of our associates with her work ethic.
I’d hire her on the spot if she wasn’t in school full-time.
But if you would prefer an associate to oversee this, then I will respect your wishes. ”
“I’m sure Annie is fine, but—”
“Her name is Abby,” I said, my anger coming through loud and clear. When I looked at my dad, it was with daggers in my eyes. “Her name is Abby,” I said again. “And she’s the smartest person at CFU. By insulting her, you’re insulting your alma mater.”
I knew the only thing that would get through my dad’s misogyny was his own love of his alma mater.
Parker’s eyes lit up like he was biting back a smile, while my dad turned to face me, fire in his gaze and his cheeks slightly flushed. But he didn’t say anything to me, just like I knew he wouldn’t.
He’d never let the rest of the world see the devil he hid inside.
“Well. This has been…informative. We’ll review the folder with our people and circle back. Sound good?”
“Sounds good,” Parker said. “I’ll show you out.”
They stood and headed for the door, but I stayed behind.
Abby was already gathering the packets, her movements efficient but quiet. I reached out, placing my hand gently over hers.
“Hey, you okay?”
She didn’t look up right away. “I’m fine.”
Then she did—and the second our eyes met, my chest loosened just a little.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “For defending me. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I did,” I said. “He was being a dick.”
A ghost of a smile curved her lips. Not the full one I loved, but it was still beautiful. I was starting to think that there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t find attractive about this girl.
“I should get back to work,” she said. “But I’ll see you tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
She gave me one last look before slipping out of the conference room, her fingers brushing mine for half a second on the way out. Just long enough to short-circuit my entire brain.
I let out a breath and raked a hand through my hair, trying to get my heartbeat back under control.
Somehow I’d walked into this meeting thinking I’d be bored out of my mind and walked out even more obsessed with my girlfriend.
I was so far gone for that girl, and I didn’t think she had a fucking clue.