Page 60 of Until Daddy

Jamison shook his head and jerked his shoulder away from his father, taking several steps back to put much needed space between them.

Carissa had had no idea the shelter would become a focus for his father until after they had started dating. And she wouldn’t use someone, not the way his father portrayed. She didn’t have it in her.

“You don’t have to build that hotel there. You’re hurting the community—not just my girlfriend, but hundreds, if not thousands, of women and children who need a safe place to go. That place makes a difference, you don’t—your hotel won’t. I’m asking you, as your son…” He paused, shoving a hand through his hair, knowing his next words were pivotal. Words that could bring about the making or breaking of their relationship. “I’m asking you to find another location.”

His father stared at him. The deep disapproval he’d always seen lingering behind Barron’s eyes came forward now, blaring at him. A sneer grew over his lips and his eyes narrowed.

“I have friends in this city, too, Father. I won’t let you take the shelter. And not just for Carissa, but because I need to do something that means something. Buying and selling real estate, owning shares in night clubs—none of that means much. Not when you’re doing it all alone. I’d rather live with a back alley as my window view with Carissa than in any high rise following your footsteps.”

“You’re going to go up against me?” Barron laughed. “You’re as dumb as your mother if you think you can win.” Had he even heard what Jamison had said?

Jamison clenched his fist. The idea to throw a punch into his father’s face struck him, but he managed to calm his anger. It wouldn’t solve anything, and his father would still be as much of an ass as he was before.

“At least the full truth of it comes out. So many years I’ve wasted, balancing your disapproval with my life choices. You never had any respect for me. And you never will.”

“My approval would be won easily enough if you’d just follow me. Take over my business.”

“If I took over your company, I’d break it into pieces and sell it to the highest bidder. Your name would go down in ashes. That’s what I’d do with your company, Father.” The words tasted sour, leaving a bitter, nasty taste behind.

“Don’t be stupid. Only a fool would throw away such potential. Chopping up a company? Throwing away all that money for what, some girl?”

“No. Being a fool is thinking money and buildings will bring you happiness. When you’re lying alone in your penthouse, sick and dying, who will be at your side? All of your real estate? Will your hotel hold your hand while you take your last breath?” Jamison took a deep breath and shook his head. “It’s not the women who don’t have hearts, Father. It’s you.”

Jamison was already at the door, walking through it and ignoring the demands his father began to yell from his office. He ignored him. He had to get to the police station. Then he needed to call his attorney.

Chapter 16

Someone had urinated on the floor. Carissa could smell it. The holding cell housed a dozen women, most of whom had been picked up with her at the protest. She didn’t know why the others were there, and she didn’t care. She only wanted to go home.

Where the hell was Jade? She’d called her almost an hour ago. About forty minutes ago an officer with a badge clipped to his street clothes had come to the cell, calling her name.

She’d thought it was time she was getting out, but once she got to the door, he looked her over and shook his head.

“You’re Carissa McAlister?” he’d asked with little interest.

“Yes, sir.” She nodded submissively. Her insides shook beneath his appraising gaze.

“My name is Detective Damien Warner. If you have any trouble in here, you tell that guard over there you want to see me, and he’ll get me. Understand?”

She had been given her own personal detective? For disorderly conduct?

“I-I don’t understand. I’m not free to go? A friend was coming to post the bail or whatever she needed to do.” Carissa had pressed her face against the bars, looking down the narrow hall, hoping to see Jade walking toward her.

“No one’s posting anything yet. You just sit tight and if you need to, you call for me.”

Carissa didn’t get a chance to agree or ask any more questions. The detective left her standing there and went to the guard. Probably to give him the same instructions.

She’d watched him walk back out toward the main room, whistling. He’d been whistling!

And there she still sat. No Jade. No money. And no freedom.

Jamison would be expecting her soon. It was nearing six and she needed to get home, shower the jail scum off, and get to his condo.

He probably heard about the protest already, that there had been arrests, but he wouldn’t know of her involvement. As far as he knew, she was at the shelter, covering for the scheduled nurses who wanted to participate in the protest.

Another twisting ache pulled at her stomach like it did every time she thought about Jamison that day. Lying to him hadn’t been easy, and she didn’t like doing it, but he wouldn’t see her side.

He had said no that one time she’d brought it up, but they hadn’t talked about it again. Maybe she should have brought it up again, maybe she could have convinced him.

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