Page 56 of Bourbon Deceit
Diego laughed and said, “There are private rooms for you two to hang out in if you don’t want to do anything out in the open.”
“When’s opening day?” Goldie asked, at least I thought she did. I was distracted by the tall, dark figure that had just walked in the door. My father.
I stiffened at the sight of him and prayed that he didn’t spot me, but as he scanned the room, his eyes met mine and his brow creased in distaste. He pulled on his cufflinks and started walking my way.
Shit, I needed to get rid of Goldie, and fast.
“Diego, why don’t you show Goldie the paintings over by the garden?” I interrupted.
Diego was about to chastise me for interrupting their conversation when he saw my face and then looked behind me. Realization hit him fast as he read in my eyes what I was trying to convey.
With a gentlemanly smile, he put out his arms and said, “Come with me, sweetheart.”
Looking up at me in question, I nodded at Goldie and encouraged her to follow him. She leaned up for a kiss, but I could see my dad out of the corner of my eye, so I instead turned toward the bar for a refresh of my drink. I could feel her eyes burn a hole in my back after my rejection, but I couldn’t give her what she wanted, not when my dad was watching my every move.
Seconds later, after Diego guided Goldie away from me, I felt my dad’s presence behind me.
“Jett, what a pleasant surprise.”
Turning on my heels, I looked my dad up and down and said, “Wish I could say the same.”
His lips pursed in distaste. “That is no way to talk to family.”
“I would hardly call you my family.”
“Apparently, because I thought I taught my son better manners.”
Not wanting to go around in circles, I said, “Is there something you wanted to say to me or can we go our separate ways?”
“I know you have a mole somewhere, digging up my personal business, and you’re not going to like what transpires as a result of your meddling.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t toy with me, boy,” Leo, my dad, said in a menacing voice. “When are you going to learn not to play with fire?”
I leaned forward and was smacked in the face by his expensive cologne; it had the ability to choke me with one deep breath. Steadying myself, I said, “When are you going to learn that even though you have money and you think you have power, you can’t get what you want by bribing people? No one likes you in this town, and no one actually wants to do business with you. They only tolerate you because over the years, you’ve gained some status.”
Grinding on his teeth, he looked me up and down and said, “You think you’re so smart, don’t you, boy? Well, you’re not, because I have something I can hold against you that can tear you down.”
“You have nothing,” I replied with confidence. “I run an honest business.”
Leo laughed, bordering on crazy, as he took a sip of the drink that he was now holding, courtesy of the bartender.
“This has nothing to do with your business and everything to do with that fine little number you brought to this event.” Leo nodded toward where Diego and Goldie I presumed were. My back was turned toward them and I didn’t want to give my dad the knowledge that I knew what he was referring to.
“My date? What does she have to do with this?”
“Everything. I see the way you look at her, the way she was holding on to you. She’s everything to you.”
With my heart beating out of my chest and my blood pumping at an abnormal rate, I tried to even my breathing as I answered my dad. I didn’t want him to make any connection between Goldie and me because he would take no prisoners. I cursed myself as I thought about how I was right at first not to bring Goldie to these events. I was so fucking right. I knew this was going to happen, that I would run into my dad and he would try to use Goldie against me. I fucking knew it.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “That’s where you’re wrong. She means nothing to me. She’s the one who hit the jackpot tonight and won the honor of escorting me to this event. She is nothing but a cheap whore I found on Bourbon Street.”
Leo nodded his head with a sly grin. “I’m not buying it. I know she stays with you, shares your bed.”
Trying not to grow agitated, I replied, “Like I said, she’s nothing to me. She is a good fuck that I’m using until I get bored again, which, frankly I am. She offered herself up to me in the car and I wanted nothing to do with it. She’s washed up.”
Eyeing me like he was trying to see right through me, I held my stance, showing no tells.
