Page 12 of Her Possessive Daddies

"Sorry." I slip the phone from my pocket, planning to silence it, when I catch the caller ID. "I need to take this."

"By all means." Seth leans back in his chair, loosening his tie. "These numbers aren't going anywhere. Unlike your social life, apparently."

I step into the hallway, marble floors reflecting the dim evening light filtering through floor-to-ceiling windows. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Dad." The word comes through strained, tight. "I fucked up."

My chest tightens, and I sigh heavily. How many times have we done this? "Are you hurt?"

"No, nothing like that. I just..." A long pause follows. "Remember that party I mentioned?"

"The one I specifically told you not to attend?"

"Yeah, that one." His voice drops to barely above a whisper. "My Jeep got towed."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, pacing the empty hallway. "Didn't I just send you money last week?"

"I know, I know. But Jake had these tickets to-"

"Concert tickets." The words taste bitter. "You spent that fucking money on concert tickets."

Seth pokes his head out of the conference room, concern etched across his features. I wave him off, turning to face the window.

"The tow company wants three hundred."

"And let me guess - it's all gone."

"Dad, please. I can't leave it there, they charge by the day and-"

"And you thought you'd call dear old dad to bail you out. Again." My reflection stares back at me, jaw clenched. "What happens next time?"

"There won't be a next time. I promise."

"Like you promised after the parking tickets? Or the damaged hotel furniture?"

Silence fills the line. I can picture him squirming, probably sitting on some curb somewhere.

"Dad..."

"I'm sending it now." My thumb hovers over the banking app. "But this is the last time. You understand?"

"Yes, sir. Thank you. I-"

I end the call, letting out a long breath as I transfer the funds. The marble feels cold against my forehead as I gaze out the window.

"Trouble in paradise?" Seth's voice carries from the doorway.

"Nothing new." I straighten my tie, composing myself. "Just the usual family drama."

"Ah, the joys of parenthood." Seth grins. What's going on this time?"

I slide back into my chair, straightening my cuffs. "Three hundred for a tow. He blew through last week's money on concert tickets and a hotel room that he trashed."

"Jesus." He shakes his head, tapping his Mont Blanc against the table. "How many times is this now?"

"Lost count this year alone." The leather creaks as I lean back. "His mother dropped the ball when it came to instilling any kind of work ethic in him.”

"For sure. He got his immature streak from his mother.” Seth's lips quirk into a knowing smirk. "That meeting about quarterly reports? Everything’s set for 4th quarter profit increases. Want to congratulate me yet?"

---