Page 104 of Devious Knight

“When is the meeting?”

“Tomorrow. I don’t think it’s gonna go well.”

“Don’t say that. Isabelle, I need you to try and stay focused.”

“Dad, I don’t know if I can. I haven’t been myself since Parker got to Raventhorn. I don’t even know if I can see him for that meeting.”

I was eager to get things moving again with Cambridge. But that was before Parker. My skin nearly slipped off my body when I got his email on Friday inviting me for a quick chat about Cambridge. Only the universe knows how I found the strength to respond.

When I saw him at the gallery years ago, he only dropped by a couple of times. That was bad enough, but I held it together because I had a plan. Yes, it was a vague, sketchy plan, but it was a plan, nonetheless. Now I have no such thing, and he is the man my future relies on.

Dad sighs. “I wished you’d called me.”

“I didn’t want to disturb you. You’re away on business. I didn’t want you to worry about me. Or worry about what I’d do.” Contacting him would make it seem like he’d have something to worry about. “When I screwed up years ago and Parker’s computer got hacked, you stuck your neck out for me and put your job on the line. I don’t want you to think that I’ll use Parker’s presence here as an opportunity for me to finish what I started back then.”

“I know you wouldn’t do that.”

“I still wanted to assure you.” My soon-to-be nineteen-year-old self is definitely not as stupid as the girl I was at fifteen. I don’t even know what I thought I’d achieve at the time. Then what I did by allowing a hacker to use me was…

It was so very stupid.

“I understood why you did what you did back then. And I understand how you must feel now.”

“I was desperately stupid, Dad. But even at fifteen I should have had better sense. I know I barely got away.” We could never be sure if Parker didn’t suspect something untoward about me.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s in the past now.” He tries to sound brighter for me, but I know I really disappointed him back then. “I think it’s best if I drop by sometime during the week to see you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Of course. I’m due a visit anyway. I’ll be back from Russia tomorrow afternoon, so it’ll be fine. I’ll take you to the city, and we can hang out for the day. How does that sound?”

Honestly, I think I could do with seeing him. It would give me some strength. “Only if it’s not too much trouble.”

“It never is. What day works best for you?”

“Wednesday would be good. I’m free all day.”

“Then I’ll see you Wednesday at about nine. I’ll have to shoot off at eight, but we’ll have all day to do whatever you want.”

“Thanks, Dad. You’re so good to me.” He’s been the greatest father I could ever ask for.

“No worries, my girl. Is there anything I can do for you until then?”

Turn back time to when Mom was alive and happy. I wish he could. “No, I’ll be fine.”

“Okay. I gotta run, but call me anytime you need me.”

“Thank you. I love you, Dad.”

“I love you a million times more.”

His heartfelt words make me smile. “See you Wednesday.”

“See you.”

We hang up, and I slump against the wall, sinking to the floor so I can hug my knees to my chest.

I’m so exhausted it might be best to go back to bed. The little sleep I got last night was restless to say the least.

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