Page 61 of Twisted Temptation

John Marco.

Joseph.

My heart stops.

Dad.

My thumb is on his name before I even think about it.

A woman answers in a warm, professional voice.

"Good morning, Montrose House. How may I direct your call?"

Thinking I must have the wrong number somehow, I pull the phone away from my ear to look at the screen. But this is the number under my father’s name.

"Hello?" the woman says.

"Hi. Sorry. I … what is this place?"

"This is Montrose House. We're a private residential clinic specializing in addiction recovery. Gambling, substance dependency, and related compulsive disorders. How can I help you?"

Addiction recovery.

Little tingles start at the base of my spine.

"I'm looking for a patient. Joseph Meadows. My … he's my father."

“And your name?”

“Sunny Mead … I mean, Sunny Di Zaro.”

“Ah yes, Mrs. Di Zaro, your husband mentioned you would be calling. Please wait one moment while I put you through to his room.”

His room?

She puts me on hold, and I hear classical piano.

A private clinic for gambling addiction.

Is my father getting help?

The hold music stops, and then I hear a voice I would recognize anywhere on this Earth.

"Sunny?"

I burst into tears. "Dad?"

"Oh, sweetheart. Sunny, love. I'm here. I'm right here."

"Are you okay?" I manage between sobs. "Dad, are you okay? Are you safe?"

"I'm fine, honey. I'm fine. I promise. I'm good. Better than I've been in a long time, actually."

His voice sounds so clear and strong. Not like the defeated man who had retreated into himself the last few months.

"How long have you been there?" I wipe my face with the back of my hand.

"Since the night you…" He pauses. "After you left."