Page 40 of The Hottest Daddy
Brian nodded. “You’re wondering about the name? Truth is, I was born out of wedlock, and I had never met my father until a few years ago. He took me under his wing and I worked anonymously for him, undercover, so that I would not be treated as if I had only acquired my position by dint of nepotism. It was my idea, and I think he respected me more for it. A year ago, he returned and passed his business to me on one condition. I rename the business in my name. He felt I had earned it.”
Sunday nodded, slightly taken aback by his honesty. She looked at River and saw he was less impressed with their visitor.
“So you’ve broken things off with Angelina?”
“I have. I can’t believe I was taken in by her.” He shook his head. “Maybe I was too focused on the business and was taken in by her beauty.” His blue eyes were serious as he looked at River. “I just didn’t want to be tainted by association, is all. If the deal on the ski resort goes through, then I’ll be spending some time here, and I didn’t want to start off on a bad footing.”
“Fine.” River stood up and offered Scanlan his hand. “You made the right decision for yourself as well as us. She’s a vicious, soul-sucking aberration of a human.”
Scanlan half-smiled. “I guess that’s just about the worst recommendation a person can have. I wish I had known at the beginning.” He looked at Sunday and smiled at her. “We can’t all have your luck, Mr. Giotto.”
After he’d gone, Sunday waited for River to say something but he seemed preoccupied. She went to him and he wrapped his arms around her. After a time, he mumbled something into her hair.
“I’m sorry, baby, I didn’t get that.”
He released her and looked down at her, his eyes troubled. “My dad’s diaries … I know what you told Angelina, but …”
“I lied to her. I haven’t read anything that would indicate that he knew about the abuse. In fact, he rarely talks about her at all. He talks about your mother, and you, and Luke, actually. He liked Luke a lot.”
River’s shoulders relaxed. “He did. You know what? I feel as if Luke and I have drifted apart, and a lot of that has had to do with my sight. He thinks I blame him because he can’t do anything. I don’t.”
“Tell him that,” Sunday said, glad of the change of subject. “We should get him to come over for dinner. Daisy too,” she added and River grinned.
“Are you matchmaking? Because last I heard, Daisy was dating your surfer friend.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Something about that guy …”
“I’m surprised. You seemed to like him okay when you first met.”
“Ha, ha, jealous boy.” They both laughed, but Sunday shrugged. “I guess, given everything, I just don’t trust him. He might be fine, innocent as the day is long, but he’s a stranger to town and he arrived just before the note.”
“So did Scanlan. What do you think of him?”
Sunday considered. “Obviously, points against him for being with the skank in the first place, and yes, I think it’s a little weird he’s suddenly interested in buying the ski resort, but I’m not a property developer. He seemed genuine just now.”
“I thought so, too, except …”
“Except?”
River shook his head. “I don’t know. There’s just something …” He sighed. “It’s probably just the fact he was with her. I don’t have a reasonable head on when it comes to Angelina Marshall.”
“Baby, that’s understandable.” She hugged him. “Anyway, let’s change the subject. We’ve talked enough about Brian Scanlan and that woman.”
Brian threw his jacket over the chair, ignoring Angelina. She was smoking, her lunch left uneaten on the table. “Did you see them?”
“I did. They think you’ve gone back to New York.”
“I might as well, rather than be stuck here in this damn motel room. You might have booked me a decent hotel.”
“Where you could be recognized? Here, it’s cash only and they leave you alone.”
Angelina made a disgusted noise and Brian couldn’t really blame her. The motel room was gross, the bedspread probably seething with bacteria. But it was the only way to keep her close and unseen. He had no intention of letting her go back to New York; she was too much of a loose cannon for that. Besides, while he was dangling the promise of River over her, she would do what he wanted.
“So,” she said now, crushing her cigarette out. “You still panting for that little whore? What do you think will happen? Why on earth would anyone leave River Giotto for you?”
Brian smiled, not rising to the bait. “Really, Angelina, what makes you think I’m going to give her a choice in the matter?”
He met her gaze and was gratified to see her shiver. Yes, she got it. He was the one with all the power here. A lack of conscience would do that.
