Page 88 of Ace of Spades
My dad’s face turns red, his calm demeanor cracking.
“They’re our competitors, sweetheart,” he tells me through clenched teeth. “This is family. You’re just being stubborn.”
“I’m not being stubborn,” I tell him, beginning to grow frustrated. “I love their idea for the guest ranch. Besides, they’re good people, Dad.”
“I’m sure they are, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is a business—our family business. How do you think it looks that you’re running all of the social media for our biggest competitor? I’ll tell you, it doesn’t look great, Hailey. You’re growing their business while you should be focused on helping ours.”
“The reason they’re doing well isn’t because of me, it’s because of what they’re offering. They’re offering for people to come out and experience the real ranch life in the mountains, a retreat from the big town life. You’re bulldozing over a small town to build some massive resort, that’s not the escape from reality that people want, Dad.”
“So you’re giving me business advice now?” he asks, his tone mocking.
“No, but if I were, I’d tell you that you’re doing it all wrong. You’ve become so money-hungry that you don’t even stop to think about what the peopleactuallywant, and that’s why your plans aren’t working. Worst of all, you’re tearing apart the town in the process.”
“We’re not tearing anything down,” he spits. “So take your foot out of your mouth before you embarrass yourself further.”
“I heard you! I heard all about your plan to get rid of it, no matter the cost. Don’t you realize that it’s home to so many of the families in Cedar Creek? Haven’t you done enough already?”
A look passes between the three men in the room, and I realize too late that I’ve fucked up.
“Listen, Hailey, we’ve tried to do this the nice way, but this is getting out of hand,” Scott tells me, a sense of ease falling over his features that makes my skin crawl. “We’ve offered you the role of a lifetime, and a chance to make a name for yourself under our brand. Seems to me like you’re starting to be a bit ungrateful.”
I look over at my dad, pleading with my eyes.
“So, this is it, then? You’re giving me an ultimatum?”
“If that’s how it has to be.”
“You guys are pathetic,” I spit. “If you want to make me choose a side, then fine, so be it. I’m going back to the ranch, and I’m telling them all about your little plans to commit fucking arson.”
I swivel on my heels, calling Gypsy to follow.
“Hailey!” my dad’s deep voice calls after me.
I ignore him, making it back to the foyer before a strong hand grips my arm, pulling me back. My fist cocks back as I turn to face Brad, punching him straight in the jaw.
“You little—“
“What are you gonna do?” I seethe. “Hit me again?”
My dad looks between us, his lips pulling into a frown.
“You hit my daughter?” he growls.
“Now is not the time,” Scott intervenes, turning to face me as he continues to speak to my dad. “We can’t let her run off and tell them. There isn’t any evidence other than Hailey’s word, but we can’t take that risk.”
Scott had always given me the creeps. He was… cold. For someone who had a son of his own, he sure seemed to lack any sort of parental instinct, or a soul, for that matter. It was no secret that there was no love lost between him and his ex-wife, which could explain where Brad’s temperament had come from.
“Not my problem,” I tell them, turning back around to reach for the front door, my body screaming for me to run.
Brad steps in my way, his body blocking my exit.
“So what’s your plan then? Hold me hostage?” I turn to ask my dad. “This isn’t a movie, I hope you realize that kidnapping is illegal.”
“It’s not kidnapping,” Scott’s voice cuts in, sending a shiver down my spine. “Especially not when you’ve been acting like a danger to yourself or others. You’re having some sort of mental breakdown, Hailey. You’re clearly inventing stories in your head, and you’ve turned violent,” he continues, gesturing to Brad.
My mouth goes dry.
“You’re insane,” I breathe.
