Page 69 of Protected By the Grumpy Single Dad
“Yes.” Asher responds.
Riley turns to look at me, a quizzical expression on her face. “And you say this is Harold Swanson?”
I nod in response. “It's got him written all over it and yet for some reason, I can't seem to nail him for it.”
Riley shakes her head, and I see her slowly start to get lost in thought. When we were little, Riley had always been the one with the mischievous ideas. She was the one who launched most of our escapades and somehow always came up with a plan. If there's one thing Riley's going to do, it's come up with a plan. I can see the gears in her head start to turn as she continues to think hard. Soon, she turns to me, a smile on her face.
“I know that face.” I say, growing suspicious.
Riley’s eyes alternate between me and Asher. “I think I have an idea. I may know how to stop Harold Swanson, probably for good. All we need to do is make sure he takes the bait.”
She leans closer, her voice dropping.“Men like Harold can’t resist when they think they’re about to win. We just have to give him something he’s too arrogant to walk away from.”
My ears perk up, as I exchange confused glances with Asher.
We bring Brick in after school, because keeping him in the dark isn’t an option anymore.
He sits on the chair beside his dad, hands tight on his knees while I explain what Harold’s men did — the ambush, the threats, every bruise Asher is still carrying. As the words spill out, I watch his face go pale and taut.
“Dad…” His voice breaks on the single word. “You should’ve told me.”
Asher reaches over, steady hand on his son’s shoulder. “I wanted to. I needed you safe until we knew what we were dealing with.”
Brick swallows hard, then nods slowly. “Okay. I get it.” His eyes shine with something fierce and scared all at once. “Just… promise me you’re being careful.”
“Promise,” Asher says quietly.
Jasmine leans forward then, gentle but focused. “Now that you know, you can help us keep it that way. Riley’s got an idea — a way to stop Harold for good. We just have to make sure he takes the bait.”
Brick straightens, still pale but determined. “Tell me what to do.”
Riley squeezes his knee. “Honestly? You don’t do anything dangerous. Just stay in school tomorrow, out of sight with your phone close. If you see Harold or any of his guys, you call 911, no playing hero.”
Asher nods. “You knowing the truth matters. But you’re not bait and you’re not backup. You’re my son, and I love you.”
***
Morning comes, and it’s up to me to initiate the plan. I take a deep breath, pull on my big girl panties, and push my way through an exclusive set of doors.
“You absolute jerk!”
I scream, pushing the doors straight into Harold Swanson's office, my heart and blood filled with boiling rage. Two security guys and a woman I assume to be his receptionist are right on my heels, their hands reaching to stop me but it's too late. I'm here.
And I'm angry.
Harold sits behind his massive desk, with the most confused expression growing on his bearded face when I get even closer to him.
“Ms. Wallace,” if he's incredibly surprised by my surprise, his voice does a good job of hiding it.
“Sir, I'm sorry. We really tried to stop her but she was too quick and we couldn't—” The receptionist behind me starts to say, her voice filled with utter regret.
“It's fine Nikki.” Harold says, waving her and the men away. “I'll take it from here.”
Nikki and the security men nod and make their way out of the office, leaving me alone with him. I feel a wave of fear creep up my body. Can he do anything to me now that I'm alone with him? I doubt it. Judging from the past, Harold isn't particularly the kind of guy to want something like that tied to him in any shape or form.
“I hope you're happy with yourself. Because of you, Asher is going to die and no one's going to be able to stop it.”
“Ms. Wallace, I truly don't understand what you're talking about—” he says but I don't give him the audience. This was never meant to be a conversation.
