Page 62 of Havoc

“I said no.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’ve lost count, dammit.”

“He’ll meet you in the lobby at seven.”

“He’ll be waiting for a long time, then.” She didn’t miss a beat.

“McKen—”

“Dad,” she snapped as she hit her hands on the table, “his son is aggressive and arrogant and has zero influence over his father’s decisions. You’ve done this before. You both pawn the jerk off on me so you can think straight. The guy’s a pervert and can’t keep his hands to himself. And, thanks to you and this new client you’ve dumped on my lap at the final hour, who I now have to fit in between this guy who at least had the decency to book a meeting, and the football wives.” She sucked in a breath. “I don’t have the time or the friggin’ patience to deal with that perv.” Her words came out in an exasperated tirade. She positively breathed fire.I like it.

“You will,” Cameron shouted. It made her jump, and I hit my limit.

“Enough!” I growled sharply and slammed my fist into the table. “The answer is no, Cameron. She’s your fucking daughter, so show some respect.”

“If I wanted you involved, son, I’d?—”

“Don’t fucking call me son, you?—”

“I’ll do it,” Kenna interrupted. I could tell by the way she rubbed her forehead she didn’t have the energy to fight him or hear the two of us get into it. “Seven in the lobby. Fine.”

I jammed my teeth together and looked down. I scribbled something I remembered about the morning meeting and waited for Cameron to gloat while I counted to ten.

“See, if you fought me less, Kenna, wouldn’t?—”

“Kenna can’t attend tonight because she won’t be here.”Scored.

“I won’t?” She looked at me, confused.

“No, you’re needed in New Orleans.”

She studied me for a beat then turned to her father with a shrug. “Then I guess you’ll just have to find someone else to entertain the pervert.”

“Need I remind you, Kenna, that you work for me, too.” He glared at her and refused to look at me. “You’ve taken quite a lot of time off lately.”

“She works for me,” I continued to take my notes, which I knew would irritate him further, “and my decision is final.”

He made some kind of noise then left.

“Thanks for the excuse.” She looked exhausted. Her father took a lot out of her.

“Not an excuse.” I signed my name at the bottom of the paper. “We leave tonight. Be in the lobby by six.”

“Wait, no, Grim, I can’t go.” She’d been placing pens in front of the pads at each seat, “I’ve got this lawyer coming in, and Cameron’s client coming in shortly, I have the wives of the Raiders team coming in tonight, then the team checks in tomorrow for their summer night pool party.”

“You’re not the only hostess here, Kenna.”

I felt her study me, but I gave her nothing.

“No, Grim.” She set the box of pens down and moved to the water tray and started to set out crystal water glasses. As she did, her skirt rose, and I saw her garter belt. I licked my lips and tried to stifle a moan, and she gave me a slit-eyed glance. “If you need a side chick on the trip, Kelly’s most likely listening outside the door right now.”

“You insult me, Kenna. I wasn’t referring to a side piece.” I lifted an unimpressed brow.

“Well,” she leaned over and rolled a pen across the table toward me, “I’m needed here.”

I leaned back, not pleased that she’d tried to brush me off.

“Funny how you think you have a choice in the matter.” She paused and took a deep breath, and I instantly regretted my words. I sounded like her father. “Kenna, you’ve proven several times that you can win over very difficult potential clients. You’re smart, witty, and can handle yourself. Even with perverts.” I chuckled and was rewarded with a twitch of her lips. “I’m not saying you’ll need that for Chef Trahan, but having you there would really help with his friends. They heavily influence his decisions.”

“Oh, so, what you’re saying is you need me?”

---