Page 4 of Her Devils

There’s something Dad isn’t telling me, and I’ve never been known for my ability to keep my mouth shut, so I just speak my mind. “Dad, this thing with Gina... It was quite unexpected.”

He catches the veiled implications in my words. “My relationship with Gina has nothing to do with work,” he states. “I mean, yeah, we met because of work. Last year, the mayor called us in to talk about his plans to put Star Cove on the map for skydiving worldwide. Of course I noticed her before at all the competitive events we did at state level since we moved to Star Cove. She’s a beautiful woman.”

I smile. I might question my dad’s motives, but his taste in women is definitely on point. “That she is,” I agree.

Something flashes in Dad’s eyes, and if he didn’t have every reason to be happy on his wedding day, then I’d guess it’s irritation. “Like I was saying, I noticed her, but we didn’t really have a chance to talk until we started meeting with the mayor. His request for a closer relationship and even some collaboration between our teams was something that needed a more honest discussion than we could have in front of the mayor, so I asked her for coffee and the rest, as they say, is history.”

I realize that he genuinely loves his new wife by the way his eyes light up when he recalls how they started seeing each other. It’s the same way he looks when he talks about my late mother, even after all these years. “So this thing between you,” I say, probably with more surprise in my tone than I should show my father, “reallyhas nothing to do with work?”

Dad chuckles. “No, it doesn’t. I mean, it does because work is how it all started, but we soon had to admit that the coffee dates and then dinners weren’t really needed to discuss the progress of the meetings at town hall. If anything, I’d say that we fell for each otherdespitework.”

I nod. “Right. Because we’re supposed to be rivals and all.”

“Exactly. But you can’t fight real love when you find it,” Dad says. “And both Gina and I know how hard it is to find true love. When you’re given the chance at it for a second time, you’d be a fool to let it pass you by because of a work rivalry.”

I nod, relieved that he didn’t marry Gina DeLaurent as part of some scheme to take Cove Devils to the top of our sport. Dad has always been a loyal, hardworking man, and he instilled the same values in me, so I would have been surprised and disappointed if he married the Cove Angels’ owner for any reason other than love. “Well, Dad, I can’t say that you didn’t surprise us today, but I think Gina is a kind and beautiful woman, and I wish the two of you all the happiness in the world. If that pisses off Darrius Penn, then that makes the entire situation that much sweeter.”

Dad’s expression changes into a frown at my words. “Right.” There’s a tic in his jaw, and his gaze hardens as he looks into my eyes. “Peyton, it goes without saying that the next few months will be an adjustment for all of us, both professionally and in our family life. I don’t need to tell you how important it is that the three of you keep your interactions with Darrius and the Angels as professional and friendly as possible.”

I clap him on the back. “We’re doing our best, Dad. We can’t control Penn’s shitty attitude though.”

Dad runs a hand through his hair, and I notice a spray of gray on his blond temples for the first time. “Yeah, we can’t control Penn’s actions, but I appreciate the way our team has been taking the high road lately, and I noticed that you guys have been staying out of trouble and flying under the radar with the press, so keep up the good work on that.”

“I’m glad you noticed.” I beam, but the smile dies on my lips when Dad’s expression hardens.

“You guys have been doing well. There’s just one last thing we need to make sure the three of you understand, Peyton, and you in particular.”

I have no idea what else he could possibly demand of us. He said no fights, and we’re trying to turn a blind eye to Penn’s constant digs. He said no wild parties and no fucking around, and we’ve been keeping our noses clean—no doubt thanks to our deal with Lenley. “What—”

“I need you three to be on your best behavior when it comes to Lenley.”

What?

I open my mouth to ask him for clarification, but he gets to the point faster than me.

“Lenley is a great girl,” Dad states, and I couldn’t agree more.

“You’re right. It’s hard to believe that she grew up with Darrius and Anna Penn. We’re becoming good friends. She’s kind and totally unpretentious. She’s—”

“She’s my stepdaughter now, Peyton.Your stepsister.”

I can’t hide the fact that I don’t like his tone. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that the three of you can be her friends, I have no problem with that, andyoucan be her brother if you want, but that’s it. Before you say anything, I’ll save you the trouble. I saw you coming downstairs with her earlier. I know you and your friends, son. I know the way you operate. There isn’t going to be any funny business with Lenley, am I clear? She isn’t one of your groupies, and I won’t have your wild ways putting a strain on my marriage.”

That’s a whole load of bullshit, but I try to keep my temper in check. “What does our friendship with Lenley have to do with your marriage?”

He answers my question with another question. “How do you think Gina would react if you treated her daughter the same way you do every woman who has ever crossed your path? As your manager, I don’t care what you do when you’re off the clock as long as it doesn’t impact our work, and that’s why I asked you to keep your nose clean. As your father, it pains me to watch you go from one party to the next, going through women faster than I can blink, but you’re an adult, and I’m not telling you how you should live your life—as long as we establish some boundaries. Be Lenley’s friend, but keep it in your pants. I’m telling you this as your father, but also as your manager.”

I don’t understand what him being my manager has to do with what kind of relationship I have with Lenley, but that’s the least of my problems right now.

Maybe I should tell him that ship has sailed. I should fess up to what Lenley and I were doing upstairsbeforehe and Gina decided to make their relationship known to the world, but he’s right, we’re all adults, and the guys and I have a deal with Lenley, so his fear of her being treated like one of our random hookups is totally unjustified.

My brothers and I might be assholes and fit the bad boy image of heartbreakers the town and world has painted us as, but we immediately saw that Lenley is a good girl, and while corrupting her might be a lot of fun, we’ve never set out to hurt her, so I don’t feel too bad when I reassure him.

“Don’t worry, Dad. Like I said, Lenley is our friend.”

He nods, smiling for the first time since he and Gina cut the cake. “Good. I’m glad to hear that. Gina told me about the difficulties Lenley has been having with Darrius and his new girlfriend, so it sounds like she could use some good friends.”

---