“Dad, if you so much as have your goons follow me or stick me somewhere like you did when you sent me to boarding school, I’ll leak something to the press you won’t like.”
He lowered his voice. “You wouldn’t dare?”
“Do you want to test me?” I was my father’s daughter, but I hated that side of me.
Still, we both didn’t like scandals, and what I had on him would surely give the media something to dissect and talk about way past the election even though what I had on him was my word against his.
If I were being honest, I wouldn’t throw my father under the bus no matter how much I butted heads with him, but he didn’t need to know that. Besides, I was tired of living by his rules. Although if I wanted him to foot the bill for my college tuition and expenses, I didn’t have much of a choice.
“We agreed, Haven. No media attention. No sororities. Two things. And for Pete’s sake, stay away from Ryker James.”
“He wasn’t part of the deal. And how did you get that picture?” Then something occurred to me. “You have someone watching me. Don’t you?”
“Haven.” His tone softened. “I have to make sure—”
“Save it, Father Dearest. I don’t care about your stupid election. I’ve barely moved in, and you’re already on my ass. You haven’t even given me a chance to breathe.” Fury blasted through me, and I clenched my teeth so hard, I swore I cracked one. “And I will not stay away from Ryker James.” My voice grew louder and deeper. No way was he going to decide who I dated. Not that Ryker and I were an item, nor would he remember me anyway.
“Haven Hale, you will stay away from Ryker James. He’s not right for you.”
I belted out a laugh. “Oh, so now you care who I date?”
“I do when it involves someone who sleeps around and can’t stay sober for one measly minute.”
“His family just died. Give him a break. You weren’t any different when Mom died.” My father had done nothing but drink until he’d passed out.
“I didn’t throw parties and fuck every girl that walked. Do you want to be a headline and another notch in his belt?”
Bastard.
He knew I didn’t want to be in the papers, or on the news, or have reporters in my face. But I would entertain screwing Ryker just to piss off my father. I might even join a sorority to add to his misery.
“Look, young lady, the James boy is headline news.” His voice boomed again. “Don’t you throw your idle threat at me again because you know I have the upper hand. Date any other guy, but not him. He’s too volatile, and I don’t need the headaches.” Then the phone went dead.
I grabbed my pillow, covered my mouth, and screamed. My mind was running amok with ideas on how to get under my father’s skin without sabotaging my freedom.
Vicki poked her head in. “Is everything okay?”
I threw the pillow across the room. “Someone took a picture of me sitting on Ryker’s lap.” Heat pinched my face as I realized my father had seen me grabbing Ryker’s dick.
She busted out laughing. I couldn’t blame her since she didn’t know the deal I had made with my father. Nevertheless, I laughed too. I could get as mad as an angry bull, but it wouldn’t change my father.
“Maybe I will join the sorority,” I said on a sigh. That would get my father riled up.
Vicki plopped down on my bed. “A few minutes ago, you weren’t interested. Look, I’m sorry, but I heard bits and pieces from your convo. Care to tell me more?”
“It’s an election year, and I have to be a good girl and not bring any unwanted attention towards my father, and staying away from sororities was part of the deal. But as mad as I am, I might just join.”
“What will he do if you violate his rules?”
“Hide me away until after the election.”
Her mouth parted slightly. “For real?”
I bobbed my head. “My dad can be a royal asshole.”
“Do you know who took the pic?” she asked.
“Nope. But I intend to find out.”
