Page 18 of Twisted Contract

“They left,” she says when the elevators are gone.

“Yes, but where does it leave us?”

“As of right now, I don’t know. Now, I must return and not make a scene, but I’ll be in touch soon.”

“How’s your arm?”

“It’s better.”

We exit together, and I drop her off a floor above the party to take the stairs with my guard watching so she can return to the ladies’ room unbothered. Her father and fiancé are monitored and are busy talking to someone else when I reappear and speak to Fieri, who introduces me to Mirren. The damn asshole governor just blurts out, “Where is my daughter?”

“Excuse me, sir, but keep your voice down. Second of all, I haven’t spoken to your daughter since I arrived and she told meto fuck off. I was in my office on an important business call when I heard you shouting down my building. Some manners go a long way. If you keep this up, I’ll have you escorted out in front of everyone, including that cute but spoiled little shit of a daughter of yours. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I suppose.”

“Watch your mouth when you speak about my fiancée.” She comes up just as Nick says that, giving me a shitty look. I toss up the palms of my hands.

“Sorry, my bad. Have a good evening, gentleman, Miss Murphy,” I add with a scoff. “I need a drink and a hot woman,” I say, walking away, hoping they didn’t think she was with me.

“Where were you?” I hear her father snap.

“I was stopped by one of the women wanting baking tips, so we walked over into a quiet alcove where she took notes and while a waiter fed me some champagne.” She giggled with a glass of wine that was almost gone. “I’m on my third glass, but it made me have to pee again, and this dress isn’t the easiest to use the bathroom in.” She winks at them. I do my best to observe from my stance in the group behind them. I smile at her antics. Damn, she’s better at fooling them than I gave her credit for.

“You’re on pain meds. You shouldn’t be drinking like that.”

“Well, you hurt my feelings, Daddy.”

“I’m sorry, my sweet girl.”

“I hate when you call me that.” She downs the glass, then snatches another off the waiter’s tray.

“See? You’re not in your right mind,” the governor insists, keeping his voice low so as to not cause a scene.

“I need to go home.”

My brother stalks closer to her with a scowl on his face. “Yes, you do. Miss Murphy, my brother just informed me that you’re a minor and that you weren’t allowed to consume that.”

“I’m twenty-one. My birthday was yesterday. I was shot on my birthday. I didn’t tell you that, did I, Mr. MacNamara.”

“Call for a car for Miss Murphy,” Jack insists, and I smirk because he’s playing it perfectly for me. It works for my plans while mitigating the drama at the moment. I have plans for the little baker, and I will have them pay, but I don’t want them to see how eager I am for Claudia.

“She doesn’t need a car. I can take her home,” her father offers, but I doubt he means it.

“Actually, sir, you’re due for a speech in twenty minutes.” I watch the AG’s eyes move, and they go straight to the redhead in the corner before flitting back to his fiancée.

“Oh, come on. I’ll take your offer, Mr. MacNamara. My fiancé tells me to forget how I met him with his dick buried in his assistant, but it’s obvious he hasn’t forgotten.” She yanks the ring off her finger. “Here you go. Give this to her since it’s what you want, and I’d rather be shot again than be your wife. I’m done. Bye.”

Her father grips her wrist and twists it, stopping her in her tracks. She lets out a little yelp, but the party is so loud no one has been privy to our mini scene. I lean in and pinch the nerve on his hand. “I could gladly rip your throat out. Let her go right now.”

“She’s my daughter and until tonight, she’s been an angel.”

“That’s before I found out my dad was willing to sacrifice my life for his own agenda,” she hisses.

“You’re insane. I think it’s all these meds you’re taking, Claudia. I don’t know where you got that idea from.”

“I’m tired,” she sighs.

“Time to go.”

“I’ll take care of this. You take her home. Your driver is already waiting for you,” Jack says.

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