Page 110 of All Bets Are Off

The question was like a kick to the stomach. “Why wouldn’t she be?” I asked, forcing myself to remain calm. This wasn’t a personal attack on my wife, I told myself. This was simply Ryder Stone being Ryder Stone. He was a judgmental prick. His opinion on my wife held no bearing on my future. At least not that way.

“I like Olivia,” Dad said quickly. “She’s spunky, smart, she’s pretty.”

“Beautiful,” I corrected automatically.

“I actually prefer them blond, but okay.” Dad’s shrug was lackadaisical.

My mother was a brunette, so hearing my father say that was irritating. “You mean other than Mom, right?”

“Your mother is a good woman. She has a good head on her shoulders and knows how to schmooze with the best of them. We both know I married her for more practical reasons, however.”

Practical reasons?Just what was that supposed to mean? “I don’t think I’m following you.” It took everything I had to keep my temper in check. I wanted to hear what he had to say, though.

“Your mother’s father was an important man in Vegas when I was coming up.”

“Grandpa Whitaker.” I nodded. “I don’t really remember him.”

“He died when you were five. You liked him, though. He used to keep licorice in his pockets and he’d feed you candy eventhough we asked him not to. You were a manic little thing when you got hopped up on sugar.”

“I have a few memories that involve him,” I replied, ignoring the dig. “Not a lot of them, though.”

“Well, he was an important man with a big bank account. My father and Cora’s father are the ones who came together and decided we would be a good match. I was dating Desiree Tanner at the time.” Dad took on a far-off expression. “Man, she was a looker. A real blonde, if you know what I mean.” He waggled his eyebrows.

My father had never talked to me like this. I was starting to wish he’d stuck with his initial inclination to keep these thoughts buttoned up. This was not something I wanted to hear.

“I knew I would never marry Desiree. That’s not how it worked back then. She was a fun distraction. She wasn’t, however, a life partner. I cared about her in my way, but when my father came to me with the idea of marrying your mother, I understood the merits of that decision.”

My temper could no longer be contained. “What are you trying to say?”

“We’re just having a conversation.”

“No, you basically just told me that you never loved my mother.”

“And that’s a surprise to you?” Dad cocked his head. “Our marriage was the merger of two powerful Vegas families. We had the children we were expected to have—although I would’ve preferred we get you out of the deal right away and forego your sisters—but we got it done.”

I carefully placed my mug on the table next to the chair. “Why are you saying this to me?” I was beyond bothered. “I don’t understand why we’re having this conversation.”

“When I told you that it was time to get serious about your life and suggested you find an appropriate woman, the last thingI expected was for you to go out and marry the daughter of nobodies.” Dad steepled his fingers on the desk. “I had planned on suggesting a merger between our family and another family. The Dawber girl over at Cosmopolitan is your age and might make a good match.”

It was only then that I realized what this conversation was really about. “Wait.” I held up my hand. “Are you seriously about to tell me that I disappointed you by marrying Olivia?”

“The girl seems smart,” Dad said. “If she does it for you looks wise, so be it. She is not, however, a good match for the business side of things.”

“Well, I didn’t marry her for business.” As soon as the words were out, I internally cringed.But you did,my inner voice reminded me.You married her to get your father off your back.The relationship had changed of course, but the origins were still murky.

“I know you didn’t.” My father was clearly oblivious to my inner struggle. “I appreciate that you clearly have feelings for the girl. My thing is … this is not what our family needs.”

“What are you getting at?” I practically exploded.

“You need a different wife.” Dad was matter of fact. “You need someone who can shore up our cash flow and create a partnership with another casino. That’s why I’m so big on the Dawber girl. She’s pretty without being trashy. If you want to keep your relationship with Olivia going in the background, I’m sure that can be arranged. I think we need to start looking at the bigger picture, though.”

My mouth was hanging open. Genuine shock had me shaking my head. Before I could eviscerate him with words, however, my father’s latest secretary—her name was Wren and she seemed to have the mental capacity of butter—appeared in the doorway.

“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Stone,” Wren said in her high-pitched voice. “Your daughter-in-law is here to see you.”

“Please show her in, Wren.” Dad winked at Wren in a predatory manner, and for the first time in—well, forever—I saw exactly who he was. This man who I had been so fearful of was a monster. He’d always been a monster. He wasn’t misunderstood. He wasn’t trying to do the best thing for our family. He was trying to do the best thing for himself. That was all he cared about.

Multiple arguments fought through the fog in my head as I debated what to say. Then Wren’s words finally registered, and I swiveled quickly to find Olivia walking through the door. She had a stack of papers in her hand. I recognized the papers from her ongoing project that regularly took over my living room.

---