Page 78 of Wicked Lord
I reached inside, snagged a jump drive, and dropped it in my pocket. Blood thundered in my ears as I headed toward the door and yanked it open, coming face to face with fucking Vaughn.
“Vanderhart, what the hell are you doing in the archives?” His brows crashed together as he scrutinized me like I was a bug he wanted to crush.
I resisted the urge to wipe the sweat forming across my forehead. “Returning the wallet you asked me to retrieve.”
“I didn’t tell you to break into the archives.”
A crooked smile pulled at my lips. “I didn’t break in. I have the clearance to be here. Did you forget I’m a senior with legacy privileges?Andmy father’s in the Inner Circle.”
His jaw clenched so hard I could hear his teeth grinding. “You’re really pressing your luck with me. I should make you turn out your pockets and?—”
A broad figure behind him caught my attention, and I pushed Vaughn aside.
Speak of the devil…
“Dad? What are you doing here?”
“Can’t I just visit my youngest for no reason?” He grabbed me in a bear hug and then nodded at Vaughn. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything serious.”
Vaughn gave my dad a polite smile. “Of course not, Mr. Vanderhart. We’re finished.” As he passed by, he narrowed his eyes at me as if to say this wasn’t over.
I wiggled out of my dad’s hold. “I’m always happy to see you, but I sense an agenda. That mischievous twinkle in your eye is too bright.”
Even though Conrad Vanderhart was a serious and well-respected businessman, he could never pass up having fun and stirring up a little harmless trouble.
“You caught me.” He punched my arm with a fist almost as big as mine. We looked so much alike, except he had thick chestnut hair while I’d inherited my mother’s blond coloring. “I heard you were in a serious relationship and wanted to meet the lucky lady.”
“You’ve met Lorelei.” The Zetas always organized the football banquet for the team and alumni at the end of the season.
“How could I forget that adorable, bossy blond.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and towed me away from the archives. “But she’s your girlfriend now so I want to get to know her better. Let’s go find her.”
Just great. This would be the first time Lorelei and I had seen each other since that hot hookup in my room. Now, we had toconvince my father, the man who knew me almost better than anyone, that we were a real couple.
CHAPTER 32
THE REAL LORELEI
Lorelei
I stared at the two men filling my doorway, Conrad Vanderhart the spitting image of my fake boyfriend except for the silver streaks through his chestnut hair. Damn, now that was a silver fox! I didn’t think I’d ever found an older man so hot. With shoulders as broad as Axel’s and that boy next door charm, he gave George Clooney a run for his money.
“Hey, Ax, what are you doing here?”
Thanks for the warning, I shot wordlessly with my dark gaze.
As if he’d read my thoughts, a sheepish grin curled his lips. “Sorry for the surprise visit, blondie, but Dad popped into town. He was just so eager to meet my new girlfriend he drove us right over.”
“Oh, wow.” I plastered on the practiced smile and offered my hand. “It has been a while, Mr. Vanderhart. So nice to see you.”
His big hand wrapped around mine, the steel grip strikingly similar to his son’s. “Please, call me Conrad. Now that you’redating Ax, we’re practically family.” He strode into my dorm room, eyeing the various trophies and medals displayed atop the bookshelf.
Axel moved beside me, nudging his elbow into my side. He mouthed a quick, “sorry,” as Conrad circled the room.
Unlike my own father, there was no condescension in his lingering gaze, only genuine curiosity. “So you dance, Lorelei?”
“I used to.” I ticked my chin at the top of the shelf. “I stopped when I started at Stonewall because Dad wanted me to focus on my studies. You can’t be the CEO of a successful multinational corporation and the lead in the Nutcracker.”
“If anyone could do it, I’m sure it would be you.” Axel laced his arm around my shoulders, and I tried to relax into his embrace.
