Page 69 of Reckless Seduction
“Indeed,” my father agrees as he pushes his finished plate away, waving to the server with an idle hand.
I have barely touched my food. My tongue is thick in my mouth, heavy with the words I want to slash their way. I remain silent, like a good submissive daughter, despite the volcano of emotion erupting inside me.
“Well,” Drew pushes away from the table and stands, “As much as I appreciate the hospitality, I have someone I have to get back to.” His eyes draw to me, categorizing my reaction to him mentioning that Brittany waits at home for him.
Good. He can fuck her while I figure out how the fuck I am going to get into my father’s safe.
“Of course.” My father stands as well, offering his hand and shaking Drew’s. “You’re welcome anytime.”
Drew smiles thinly at my father, then casts one last glance at me before strolling out of the room.
“May I be excused?” I murmur.
“Yes,” my father approves. “Sarah will have some dresses delivered to your room tomorrow for you to try on. Do remember to be on your best behavior.”
“Yes, Father,” I mumble as I leave the table, head lowered. Dinner has been suffocating to the point where all I want to do is flee. Run and never look back. The more time I spend at that table, the more I begin to realize that what I have seen in those documents the twins have given me is true.
If that is real… what stops those photos of him raping underage girls from being true as well? As a reporter, I have always been taught to be unbiased. Not to form opinions of my own. Reporters are observers. Fact-checkers.
Shit… work. Why haven’t I thought of calling them?
Closing my bedroom door behind me, I drag out my cell phone and dial my boss, Lucas.
“Hello?” His voice rings through.
“Lucas, it’s Bailey.”
“Bailey!” There is surprise in tone. As if he had thought he wouldn’t be hearing from me. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” I tell him. “Look, I just want to check in. I know I have been MIA the past few days but…”
“MIA?” he asks. “What do you mean?”
“Umm… well, I haven’t checked in. I have been working on…”
“Checked in? Bailey, you put in your resignation last week, kiddo,” he tells me. “I know I’m getting old and senile, but that usually means you don’t have to check in.” He chuckles.
“My resignation?”
I have never submitted my resignation.
“Yeah,” he says. “You emailed it to me. Said you needed some time and that you didn’t think you’d be back.”
“I never…” A voice on his end interrupts me.
“Look, kid,” Lucas rushes. “You were a great reporter, but this isn’t meant for everyone. Anyway—” Another interruption. “I’ve got to go. Stay safe.”
Then the line goes dead.
What the hell has just happened? I toss the phone on my bed and make my way into the bathroom. Pulling the communication device from its hiding place, I place it in my ear.
“Hello?” I whisper, wondering if they are even listening. “Seamus? Kiernan?”
Nothing but dead air hangs around me for several moments and then…
“Bailey?” It is Liam, the twins’ father.
“Liam?” I breathe a sigh of relief. Just hearing his voice sets me at ease. Even if I am not his favorite person.
