Page 46 of Prince of Tides
I sighed. “I talked to Mel. Apparently, Eric tried to talk her into making me get back together with him. When that didn’t work, he suggested they should be together.”
My father’s face went, if anything, even more still. I shivered. I didn’t like that side of him. The ruthless businessman.
“He’s not taking the breakup very well at all,” my father said, finally softening.
“He’s obsessed with the money he claims I owe him. Stressing over it.”
My dad glanced at Rip again. “And this guy? Is he a problem?”
“No, no, he’s not. But that guy,” I said, shaking my head at the blunt question, “is my issue to deal with. Not yours. He’s only here because I asked him to come along.”
“Who is he, though?”
I laughed, moving across the office to wrap my father in a hug, relishing the gentle giant squeeze I got in return.
“I love you,” I said into his ear. “But there are some things a girl just doesn’t want to discuss with her father yet. Understood?”
My dad chuckled. “I understand your reluctance. But given what’s happening with the last guy you dated, can you forgive me for not immediately accepting he’s a good guy? No offense,” he said over my shoulder.
“None taken,” Rip replied. “I would do the same if I were in your position.”
My dad grunted a wordless agreement.
“Also, Dad?”
“Yes, dear?” he asked, squeezing me tight again.
“I don’t think we need to tell Mom about any of this, do you?” I said into his ear.
“No, no, you’re probably right,” he said, giving me one last squeeze before letting me go. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll put some people on your siblings and you discreetly. A few more staff around the house that just so happen to have extra training wouldn’t be terrible either until we find out what Eric’s involved in.”
I could almost sense Rip ready to intervene, to say it wasn’t necessary for them to tail me, but I caught his eye before he spoke and shook my head ever so slightly. Rip caught the glance, a tiny frown creasing his forehead, but he relaxed.
“Okay, time for me to go,” I said. “Long drive back to the city. Keep me informed of what you find?”
“Of course,” my dad said.
We hugged, and he shook Rip’s hand, thanking him again. Though the suspicious glint in his eye said Eric’s thugs weren’t the only people my dad would look into.
Then we were gone.
The instant the doors were closed, Rip looked down at me.
“So, I’m a problem to be dealt with, am I?” he asked nonchalantly.
I groaned, shaking my head. “IknewI was going to hear about that the instant the words came out of my mouth. That will haunt me.”
Rip just laughed, letting it go as we walked.
“So, what now?” he said eventually.
“Now …” I paused and looked out a window in passing. “Well, damn.”
“What?”
I pointed at the thick, heavy snow coming down. Neither of us had been paying attention to the weather on our way in.
“That’ll make for an interesting drive home,” Rip mused.
