“Safekeeping,” I blurted out because it was the only stupid answer I could come up with.
Hopefully, the man wouldn’t kill me, his own daughter, niece, and Ivy.
“I love your sassy mouth,” he smirked. “Keep it up, and I’m going to find out just how good it works.”
I gulped, his words sending heat through my veins. Jesus, why did I find that so hot. Clenching my thighs, I tried to ignore the throbbing in my sweet spot.
Wrong time. Wrong place. Wrong man.
That looked so damn tempting. “You’re my best friend’s father!” I rasped, though I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince myself or him that his insinuation was improper.
“What makes you think something so small will keep me away from you?”
I shook my head, while a shudder traveled down my spine. I opened my mouth to tell him he was a gross, old man, but I was physically unable to utter those words. Because Mr. Liam Brennan was the hottest man I had ever seen. And that shower scene from three months ago had been on repeat in my mind.
“It’s time you pay your debt,” he said. “The stakes just got higher now that you’ve stolen from me and watched me in the shower.”
Now he brings up the debt!Three months too late. Unable to think of a single intelligent thing to say, I just stared.
“Stand up,” he ordered. I blinked in confusion. “Now!”
I narrowed my eyes at his rudeness, but I got to my feet. Though I ensured I grabbed the backpack and finished zipping it. I still hoped I’d keep the money. Somehow.
The girls and I needed to stay out of jail.
“Now what?” I challenged, with bravery I didn’t have.
His eyes traveled down my body, and suddenly, it felt like my mini-dress was too revealing. My skin flared from the weight of his stare, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Then his eyes came back to my face and something about the way he looked at me stole the breath from my lungs.
The door shut behind him with a soft click and adrenaline rushed through my veins. With anticipation and excitement.
This was wrong. Oh so wrong. But I wanted to see where it went.
He moved towards his desk and casually leaned against it, his eyes locked on me.
The door swung open.
“They got away,” Quinn told Mr. Brennan. “Wynter took her damn clothes off.”
It would seem everything out there was going according to plan. I had to succeed too. For the four of us.
Mr. Brennan’s eyes came back to me, his expression cold.
“Miss Hayes, tell us what it is that you and your friends are up to.” This was a man used to getting whatever he wanted.
“No,” I snapped.
“Want me to turn in the evidence to the police?” The dreaded question. Why even bother asking it? Nobody sane would say yes.
“Like what? The backpack?” I sneered. Technically, I hadn’t stolen anything yet.
“For starters, yes. That backpack belongs to Quinn and the money you stashed in it belongs to me.”
My eyebrow rose, seemingly unconcerned with his words.
“There are a million backpacks like this and possession is nine tenths of the law.” I prayed my bluff was right. I studied business, not fucking law. “So don’t touch my stuff.”
I tilted my chin up, daring him to dispute it.