Page 108 of Wicked Dares
I stare at him for a second.
This is not going to end well.
Locke adjusts his jacket and starts up the stairs toward the plane.
And judging by the look on his face…
Anthony Mercer should probably start praying.
We board the jet, and my father looks up from the leather seat near the bar.
“Perfect,” he smiles, glancing between Locke and me. “My boys are finally here.”
“I’m gonna grab a drink,” Locke says, going behind the bar.
Dad frowns. “At this time of morning, Locke?”
“It’s five o’clock somewhere in the world.” Locke grabs a bottle of beer and disappears beyond the curtains.
Dad’s eyes shift toward me. “What’s happened now?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll deal with him later.”
“Alright. Can I have a quick word with you?”
“Sure.” I hope like hell I’m not in his bad books today. I’ve been so focused on Piper I don’t know what’s going on in the world outside.
We grab a seat, and I only relax when he smiles.
“What the hell is going on with you and Arthur Lockwood? He called me last night.” Dad leans one shoulder against the seat. “Ravingabout you.”
That catches me off guard.
“Raving?” I repeat carefully.
“Yes. The man has done a complete turnaround.” Dad watches me closely now. “Last month, he barely trusted anyoneunder the age of fifty. Now suddenly, he’s talking about you like you hung the moon.” His brows lift slightly. “Whatever you’re doing is apparently working miracles.”
I shrug lightly, trying to play it off. “I’m glad. All I did was do my job.”
“Mm.” That sound alone tells me he doesn’t believe me for a second, then Dad narrows his eyes slightly. “It has something to do with that girl, doesn’t it? Piper Andrews.”
I huff out a laugh. “Dad, come on.”
“Levi.” Of course, Jeremiah Vale misses absolutely nothing.
“Well,” I admit carefully, “it could.”
His mouth twitches like he’s trying not to smile. “In what way?”
“It’s a long story, but a good one. And look, I’m winning Arthur over. He’ll be signing with us in just a handful of weeks.”
“Indeed.” He sighs. “As long as you’re not getting yourself into trouble.”
“No, no. Nothing like that.”
“I sure hope so.” He points a warning finger at me. “You boys are determined to make my blood pressure explode.”
“That’s a little dramatic, Dad.”
