Page 27 of Two Steps Ahead

“Give us a minute,” Leo said.

Jasper scoffed under his breath and stormed out, shutting the door with something close to a slam.

Kayleigh couldn’t care less.

“Why did you lie to me about Weston?” she snapped.

“I never lied to you about Weston.”

She rolled her eyes so far back in her head she thought they might get stuck there. “You didn’t tell me the truth either. You made me think he was a gardener.”

Leo didn’t flinch or blink. “I did.”

Even though she’d already known it was true, it hurt to hear her father admit he’d manipulated her again.

It hurt worse to know Weston was a part of it. Her chest ached every time she thought of that amazing kiss. Now the memory of it was ruined.

“Things are dangerous right now, Kayleigh,” Leo continued. “They’re only going to get more dangerous and I don’t want you getting hurt in the cross fire.”

The unspokenagainmade her heartbeat race, but she refused to think about her kidnapping. Fear wouldn’t help her get through to her father; it would only convince him that he’d done the right thing by lying to her.

“I know how you feel about Jasper and the rest of the guards, so I thought Weston would be the best way to keep you protected without making you uncomfortable. Evidently, I was wrong.”

“Don’t do that. This isn’t about Weston’s ability to protect me, it’s about you both lying to me.”

As she said it, she realized it was true. Weston had kept her safe and alive when people had come for her. And even before that, she’d felt safe and comfortable. He’d done a great job, but betraying her trust wasn’t something she could forgive easily.

“I will do what it takes to keep you safe, Kayleigh. Even if that means I don’t always do things you like.” Leo rubbed the space between his brows like he had a headache. “But, for the record, Weston thought you knew.”

Kayleigh stilled, her heart rate picking up again. “What?”

Leo looked at her again and she could see how tired he was. Bone weary. It hurt to see her father like that even when she was upset with him.

“I told Weston that you agreed to having a bodyguard at the lake house,” Leo said. “He went there thinking you already knew he was there to protect you.”

Suddenly the conversation on the boat made more sense. Everything made more sense. “And the gardening?”

Leo shrugged. “He mentioned he still liked plants and I told him to feel free to landscape as he wanted to. I even offered to pay extra for it.”

Kayleigh felt sick. She’d been so consumed with the imagined betrayal that she never gave Weston a chance to explain. She’d let her father’s lies ruin the friendship they’d rekindled.

She’d hurt him.

She had to apologize. But first she had to deal with her father.

She wasn’t going to scream. She wasn’t going to get hysterical. She calmly walked toward his desk. “Dad, I know you’re scared for me and love me, but you can’t keep manipulating me like this. I won’t tolerate it. I’ll see to my own security from now on. Keep your men away from me.”

Without waiting for a response, she walked out of his office. She wasn’t going to stay in her father’s house another minute. Not when she had to find Weston and make things right.

She didn’t want him to be her security, but he worked in the business. He’d be able to find or recommend someone.

If he was even willing to talk to her at all after how she’d behaved. She wouldn’t blame him if he wanted nothing to do with her.

She made her way to the kitchen to grab her purse and her camera where she’d dropped them earlier, only to find Jasper and Gwendolyn already there.

Gwendolyn took one look at Kayleigh’s face and stepped toward her. “What happened?” the older woman asked.

“I’m leaving.” Kayleigh gathered her things.

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