Chapter 15 #2
Figures we’d meet at the most over-the-top bar in Texas. At least, I’m assuming it is because the nearly twenty miles of road it took to get here was nothing but abandoned car lots, commercial warehouses, and food trucks.
Having a bougie bar out in the open would never make sense in this town. From my understanding, we’re still in Dallas. Although I stopped paying attention to road signs after putting my phone on do not disturb.
The entrance to where Bryan parked appears private, in a way. From the street side of the building, a concrete wall with a lack of signage greets you. It’s the walkway to the right that leads to the bar’s entrance doors, which actually reveals the occupancy of life. People. Rich dickbags.
And in this case, I’d like to guess it’s a hideaway for the billionaires of Texas. It’s probably not fair of me to say there aren’t many of them, but if that were true, it’s evident they like their space from us normal people.
Little do they know, they’re doing us all a favor.
“Mr. McIntosh prefers handshakes.”
I side-eye Bryan and laugh. I may be playing the dutiful daughter by obligation, but he’s mistaken if he thinks I’ll bend to Nathaniel’s preference.
I intend to make this fun, while also getting the job done.
“Thanks for the heads up, Bryan.” He leads me through a heavy door, and the inside is covered wall-to-wall in vintage movie posters with gold frames.
Not gonna lie, I feel a bit transported to one of my old Oxford fantasy romances, showcasing the academic life behind professors and their secret love interests.
An elevator takes us to the second floor, where a slender hallway leads to the bar and lounge area.
It’s cozy while also reeking of an otherworldly level of elegance.
Layered textures and rich patterns adorn the walls with wallpaper and art.
Timeless styled furniture of muted greens and warm neutrals is tucked cozily into the space.
The bar made of solid stone is the first I see upon entering, a bit of a standout in comparison to the comfort of the rest of the room.
Books and botanical art prints surround a stone fireplace in the middle back wall, and despite loathing the reason I’m here, I’m in complete awe.
It’s magnificent.
I spot him the moment we round the corner, his full beard coming into view. Dark eyes train in on the man beside him in a sweltering black tux, Nathanial in a charcoal gray one, ironed to excellence.
Overachiever.
The arch in his brow appears permanent, confirmed as his head shifts in our direction, taking in the sight of his long-lost daughter approaching. This is where I decide how to go about our first encounter.
Although my stomach is sour and my breakfast threatens to upend, I will not cower to him. I will not let him win, despite needing something from him at the end of all this.
The only thing I can hold onto is my dignity, and I intend to grip it like the deadliest of weapons.
He looks uncomfortable, and that makes me dangerously happy.
I know what I need to do.
“Daddy!” I shout from a few feet away, running to his side and suffocating him in a tight embrace. The first thing I notice is that he immediately tenses. The second, he smells like cigarettes.
I bet he’s a stress smoker. Makes sense, seeing as how he lost the two best things in his life by choice. Bastard.
“Cove…” he draws out, wiping the nonexistent lint off his suit jacket as I pull away. “Lovely to see you.”
“It’s only been twenty-one years, but who’s counting?
Certainly not you.” I wave him off and hug Bryan goodbye before taking my seat across from him.
“And who is this?” I ask the sunburnt man in the black suit.
He looks terrified to be alive, but also like he forgot the SPF at home and can hardly sit without squirming in pain.
“Lionel, this is Cove. My daughter.” That took longer than necessary to bite out. “Cove. This is my assistant, Lionel. He handles all my business matters and then some.”
“Lucky you, Lionel. Getting to spend time with Daddy.” I send Nathaniel a fake grin, hoping he sees I came here to fucking win.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. McIntosh,” Lionel adds.
“Oh, it’s Davenport,” I say at the same time Nathaniel says, “She’s not a McIntosh.”
“I’ve always been independent.” I smile.
Bryan dismisses himself, promising to be in the car waiting to deliver me to my hotel nearby for the night.
That’s news to me. I assumed I’d be staying with sperm donor, but it seems even that’s too close of contact for him.
Fine by me. I could use a night to myself before six long days, along with being in close quarters with each other.
What could possibly go wrong?
“Like father, like daughter, I suppose,” Lionel notes. “Shall we continue with the meeting, sir? I will be taking thorough notes.”
“Meeting?” I choke, uncontrollable laughter surfacing.
“Business meeting,” Nathaniel says before pulling out his phone and texting something quickly.
“That’s Misty. She’s expecting me for dinner.
Let’s get this moving so we’re prepared for tomorrow.
You are still up for this, aren’t you, Cove?
Need I remind you, this transaction is riding on your persuasion and performance. ”
Nothing about this feels real. Sitting at a restaurant, eating off of plates that cost more than my salary, in Texas, with my estranged father, plotting out a business deal.
I think back to the text Mom sent me earlier, her love for me outshining any pain this man has ever made me feel.
Mom:
Have the best time, sweet girl. Fall into fits of endless laughter, meet a charming man, eat good food, and come back home safe and refreshed. I love you beyond the stars and the moon.
She is my reason.
“I told you I was in, didn’t I? Unlike you, I mean what I say. I’m loyal. Now, give me the lowdown.”
“Excellent,” he sneers, not at all bothered by my comment. Perfect. That will make this easier then. “Let’s run through the fine print before they arrive. Afterwards, we will introduce you to Austin. Don’t disappoint me.”
Roger that, dearest Daddy.
After nearly thirty minutes of preaching and mindless gibberish, I miss the approach of Harrison. “Harrison. Great to see you again. How’s the wife? Doing well, I hope?” Nathaniel stands to greet him while Lionel turns into a fly on the wall. I, however, stand back and watch.
“As well as sunbathing in the Hamptons can do for her. It’s a pleasure, Nathaniel.” Harrison Hartwell shakes my pathetic excuse of a father’s hand.
“That’s what I like to hear. Us leaders can’t do our jobs to the best of our capabilities if the housewives aren’t happy. Isn’t that right?”
Harrison chuckles, and I want to vomit. “We’re going to make a great team.”
Fake. Fake. Fake. All of them.
I know all about the bigwig business guru in front of me.
Stories that would make my deceased grandmother cry from her grave.
Betsy helped me uncover all we could find on the embezzlement case that Harrison somehow came out on top of a few years back.
Not to mention the multitude of tax evasions and money laundering.
When the media caught wind of the company he worked hard to build from the ground up, a multi-million-dollar motorcycle automotive brand, if I might add, customers went into a frenzy, and his empire damn near fell.
Makes sense why it would be a smart move to pass it down to your son. Nothing says coward like avoiding accountability for your own wrongdoings by passing the burden to others.
A tall man behind Harrison comes into view, and now it’s my turn to fake it.
He greets my poor excuse of a father, “Mr. McIntosh, it’s wonderful to finally meet you, sir.
My father has told me all there is to know about the great Nathaniel McIntosh.
I’m well taught on your business endeavors from start to finish, and I’ve gotta say, you’re brilliant.
” I examine him closely. His dirty blond hair, faded on the sides with minimal length on top, makes him appear young.
He reaches out a hand. “Austin Hartwell.”
Nathaniel turns toward Harrison while shaking Austin’s hand. “Fine young man you’ve raised here, Harrison. I look forward to potentially working with you.”
It’s like I’m not even here.
“And who’s this beautiful lady?” Austin shifts toward me. If I weren’t seconds away from dying inside, I might find the guy attractive. He’s got big brown eyes, is clean-shaven, tall, and slightly muscular.
However, it’s his arrogance that smells like shit.
Play the part, Cove.
Mustering up as much enthusiasm as I can, I hold my hand out to greet him. “Cove Davenport.” I smile wide for added effect, knowing it’ll have Nathaniel rolling his eyes. I barely know the guy, and he’s already become predictable to me.
If only I had video footage of every shake of the head and nail tapping he’s granted me already. The asshat didn’t even see me to the hotel check-in, dismissing me with a shallow “goodbye” and making Bryan escort me inside.
“Ah.” Austin reclines his head in understanding. “Keeping your independence with the last name. I respect that. Hopefully, you won’t be holding onto it for too long now.”
I catch the underlying message, and it makes my skin crawl. There’s no way in hell I’m marrying the guy, but he’s not supposed to know that. Nathaniel taps my hand slightly beside me, reminding me of our deal.
Couldn’t forget it if I tried.
I clear my throat and lift my shoulders with confidence. “I’ve never been more ready for the change, Austin. Especially with a man as handsome and successful as you.” The words taste sour on my tongue, but Nathaniel and Harrison seem pleased, smiling at each other knowingly.
Austin’s father faces me, hand reaching out to cup my shoulder. I fight back a flinch, wanting his slimy hands off me. He gives me the ick.