Chapter Five #3
There’s a pause on the other end. “Understood,” Anthony says.
I disconnect and open the blinds. My eyes fix on Leoni. She’s sitting there, stiff and silent, with her eyes locked on her screen, her mind a million miles away.
And for the first time in a long while, I feel like the bastard everyone says I am. Because I’m part of the reason she’s hurting right now, and I can’t do a damn thing to take it back.
An hour later, there’s a knock at the door, and then Leoni steps in with the diary tucked under one arm and a coffee in her hand. She sets it down on my desk and takes a seat opposite me, all business.
“You’ve got no meetings this morning,” she begins, opening the diary.
“Wait.”
She glances up, clearly impatient.
“I just want to explain earlier,” I say.
Her tone goes cold. “No need.”
“Leoni—”
“This afternoon,” she cuts in, flipping a page, “I thought you might like to meet with—”
“Nothing’s going on between Nancy and I,” I interrupt.
“I don’t care,” she snaps. “Can we get on with today’s business?”
Her phone rings, cutting through the tension. She groans, already reaching for it. “I have to take this,” she mutters, pushing to her feet.
She steps out of the office; phone pressed to her ear. I should look away, give her privacy, but something in her voice makes me pause.
“Dad,” she says softly.
The word freezes me. I edge closer to the door, listening through the slight gap.
“I tried to call, but they said you were in seg again,” she says, her tone a mix of exasperation and concern. “What did you do this time?”
There’s silence whilst she listens to his reply.
“We don’t know anything,” she says. “The police have nothing, and there doesn’t seem to be a reason.” Another pause. “No, don’t call her. She’s struggling too much already. You’ll just make it worse.”
She exhales shakily. “I know, Dad. Okay. Send me a visiting order, but I’m not promising anything. Yeah… I love you too.”
She ends the call, her shoulders slumping for a second before she pulls herself together and heads back inside. I’m already sitting at my desk, pretending to skim through paperwork.
“Everything okay?” I ask lightly.
She waves her phone in the air. “My dad,” she mutters.
“Does he live in London?” I ask, keeping my tone casual.
She shakes her head. “He’s in prison.” I blink, feigning surprise. “Has been for—” she shrugs, “I don’t even know. Too long.”
“Shit,” I say quietly. “Sorry, Leoni. I didn’t realise.”
Her eyes flick to mine, sharp. “Why would you? And stop apologising for everything.” She exhales softly. “I’ll bring your afternoon schedule through when it’s confirmed.”
I nod, watching her leave.
The door clicks shut, and my mind goes into overdrive. Her father must be the target. I just need to know who he is, and why my father wants to ruin his life.
“Did you know?” I ask. My father rolls his eyes like I’m being tedious. “About her father being in prison?”
A tiny twitch at the corner of his eye tells me he’s been trying to keep that information close. I press further, “I’m getting closer, so save us both the hassle and tell me what’s going on.”
He doesn’t answer right away. When he finally speaks, it’s casual, like he’s discussing the weather. “Is our witness a good one?”
“He will be,” I say. “Anthony’s sorting it.”
“We don’t want someone who’ll crumble under pressure,” he murmurs.
“I know how to hire a nark,” I snap. “It isn’t the first time I’ve had to cover your arse.”
He arches a brow. “Careful Warren, you’re sounding awfully smug. Like you think I’m not in charge.”
I run my tongue over my lower lip before sighing. “The witness is top-tier, and the guy we’re fitting up is so fucking high he can barely remember his own name. He’s an easy target.”
My father smiles that thin, practised curve that never reaches his eyes. “Excellent.” He leans back in his chair, hands steepled. “Now, about the girl.”
I tense. “Leoni.”
He nods. “She’s grieving. Vulnerable. You should take her out somewhere—dinner, drinks, whatever people your age do to feel human. Cheer her up a little.”
I frown. “You want me to take her on a date?”
He shrugs like it’s nothing. “Call it what you want. She trusts you, doesn’t she? Let’s use that to our advantage.”
“Use her for what exactly?” My voice sharpens.
He smirks. “To reach her father, of course. The man’s still breathing because of the concrete between him and me. We can speed things along.”
I shake my head. “She’s not the kind to open up, especially not to her boss.”
“Isn’t she the reason you know about him in the first place?” When I don’t answer, he continues. “Get her talking.” His tone is mild, almost bored. “You’ve got the charm for it, and I have no doubt she’ll tell all once you soften her up.”
“What exactly do you want to know?”
“Everything she tells you.”
“Pretty hard when I’m not sure what I’m asking.”
He sighs impatiently. “Family. Any details she gives about her father.”
My stomach twists. “And if I say no?”
He doesn’t miss a beat. “Then I’ll send in Erik.
” I clench my jaw at the thought of him pitting my brother and me against one another.
My father’s smirk deepens. “He’s too much of a loose cannon, granted, but he gets results.
The kind of results that leave scars. You know how he is with women, reckless.
Impulsive. You really want her caught up in that?
” I keep my expression neutral. “Didn’t think so,” he continues smoothly.
“You’re more controlled. You can keep her close.
” He pushes back from the desk, turning to face the window. “Take her somewhere nice. Build trust.”
I stare at the back of his head, fury building so hot it burns through my chest. “You’re using her as bait.”
He glances over his shoulder, his smile slow and poisonous. “Bait and leverage, Warren.”
He turns back to the city skyline, dismissing me without a word.
“What did her father do?” I ask, already knowing he won’t tell me.
He scoffs, without turning to me. “Let me know if she gives you anything useful.”
I stand there for a few seconds, fists clenched at my sides, the weight of every order pressing down on me. Then I leave. Because starting a war with him will get us both killed.