Page 45 of Play With Me

We took his car to Cross Enterprises. Given that my headache hadn’t gone, I lay back in the seat and closed my eyes. It hurt now even more than before as I went over Brook’s words. He wanted me to hurt less. I wanted me to hurt less as well, and the idea of finding Xavier and finishing what Sebastian had started sparked urgency in my chest. The car finally stopped and I rose to a sitting position. Brook had parked at a house I’d never seen before.

“I thought you were taking me to Cross Enterprises.”

“It happens to be my father’s birthday today. We’re celebrating at my mother’s house. Emma’s waiting inside.”

“I didn’t bring a gift.”

“No gifts necessary. It’s just a celebration. I want you to feel like you’re home. It’s only family here today.”

He didn’t wait for my reply. Instead, Brook walked around the car to open my door.

“Okay. Thanks,” I said to myself.

I stepped out and adjusted my not-so-festive outfit, double-checking my fly.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m meeting your family.”

“You’ve already met them.”

I meant officially, not for a job. Technically, I was going to a meeting, though, not a family reunion. Argh, Brook was already messing with my head — or was I making it out to be more than it was?

“There’s nothing to be nervous about, Lola. It’s just my family.”

Our conversation was sounding way more serious than what I was ready for, but an unseen force pushed at my back, making me stumble forward into his chest.

“I don’t get nervous,” I said, looking up.

Chest against chest, we stared at each other without saying a word. He smirked, gently tapped my nose, took my hand, and led me to toward the front door.

What the hell is happening here?

Brook paused before opening the door. “Wait, I almost forgot.” He removed what looked like a keychain from his pocket. “One more thing. I have yours, so you can have mine.”

Yeah, this was definitely more than a family gathering. He’d planned it all out; and I must say, he’d done a good job.

Chapter 11

Brook

Ismoothed my hands over my white shirt when I heard my favorite voice.

“You look handsome, Daddy.”

I turned around to face Sophie. She was gripping her new Incredible Hulk plush toy she’d received from her Uncle Dean last week. The two had been inseparable ever since.

“Thanks, princess.” I picked her up and swung her to my side, where she straddled my hip.

“Dahhdeee!” She drew out her voice, frowning.

“Sorry, not princess. Mommy’s not here today, is she?”

She shook her head.

“Yesterday I had to tell mommy not to call me princess, aghaihn.” Sophie rolled her eyes. “Princesses are boring. They sit and wait to be rescued, which doesn’t make sense because when you wait, then the bad guys have time to find you. And I can rescue myself.”

That’s my girl.

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