Page 104 of Bidding War

I almost laugh. It's funny to think that out of everybody that I know, my father might be the one who would just breeze past the fact that the man who kidnapped me is the one who I work for now. Largely because he has no room to talk shit about criminals. But I don't plan to tell him a thing about Andre Moeller. Telling my felon father I work for a criminal would likely end up with the two of them working together, and I’d never recover from that.

“I was recruited.”

“I always knew something like that would happen for you. My little girl's too smart. One day, you'll be running that place.”

“Oh, I don't know about that. Being in charge is a lot of responsibility that I don't want.”

“I hear that,” he says with a chuckle. “And are you seeing anyone?”

Do I tell him? Do I keep it to myself? It's a hard call. But he wants to play this game, so why not?

“Yes, I am. Actually, right now, I'm sort of living with him. He had an accident at work and was really badly injured, so I've been helping take care of him.”

That earns a big smile from him. It's hard not to feel good when I get that from him. I don't want to like it. I shouldn't want this man's approval.

Mitch says, “I'm very proud of you. That's not an easy thing to do. But you make sure he's worth it. Most men are not.”

“I am very familiar with what most men are worth. I learned when I was a kid.”

“You're right. You're just plain right. I was not a good father. And I certainly wasn't a good husband. So, that man of yours, you make sure that he is better than I am. You deserve the best, Junebug.”

Any minute now. I know it is coming any minute now. The ask. He likes to loll his prey and make them nice and warm and comfortable, and then he throws the ask. As I’m waiting for it, I realize he's not wearing his wedding ring anymore. Oh hell. Jenny kicked him out again. Bet he needs a place to stay.

I give a tight smile. Let’s cut this off before he asks. “He really is the best. I wish his apartment were a little bit bigger, though. It's just a one-bedroom. No room for anyone else.”

“Why? Are you looking to start a family?”

Okay. He didn't pick up on what I was saying. Maybe that means he's not looking for a place to stay. “No, it's just sometimes it feels like we're on top of each other.”

“Understandable. I've always liked a lot of room to stretch out. That's why, even though it's just me, I have a three-bedroom apartment in the city. Hell, even the hotel room I got here is a two-bedroom. I like to live large. What can I say?”

I don't understand why the other shoe hasn't dropped yet. I keep waiting for it. But he keeps dodging me. It is unnerving. But as the lunch goes on, it never comes. He's just asking me about me, so I'm returning the questions, and we're actually having a conversation for the first time in years. I dare say it's almost nice.

When he drops me off back at work, though, it happens. “Junebug, before you go, there's something I want.”

“I knew it. I fucking knew it. What? Money? A kidney?”

He smiles, amused. “I want to work on our relationship. I would like to get to know my daughter. And maybe one day, I will consider myself to be in her life again. I miss you.”

Either he’s serious, or he’s pulling a long con. I can’t tell. “Oh.”

“I’d like to get to know Anderson, too, if things go well with us.”

My head is throbbing, but I manage to eke out, “That, um … that sounds nice.”

“Glad to hear it. Knock ‘em dead, Junebug.”

“Yeah. Thanks. Have a good one, Dad.”

His smile is megawatt before he pulls away.

It’s only then I realize what I’d called him. But saying Dad instead of Mitch felt natural. That hasn’t been true since I was a child. Maybe he isn’t the only one who has changed.

55

JUNE

On the way to Anderson's parents' Boston apartment, I tell him all about my lunch with Dad. Mitch. Whoever he is. “… and he wants to get to know you, too.”

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