Page 45 of Roots of the Wicked

Chapter Nineteen

Chase

Jax received a call from me every day after our sleep over. She appeared to be getting more comfortable with talking to me. However, today’s call would be a bit different from the others.

“Chase,” she answered.

“Hey, baby. How’s your day going?” Just hearing her voice sent spikes of joy coursing through me.

“My day was good until you rang, calling me by that ridiculous pet name. I’m getting some work done if you don’t mind.”

“My day is going well also. I’m glad you cared enough to ask.” I used sarcasm as my motivator.

“Glad to hear it,” she replied. There was an underlying playfulness in her tone making me aware she wasn’t pissed like she attempted to pass off.

The sound of her fingers tapping in rapid succession registered. She was behind the screen of a laptop, distracted by her work, but I had news meant to get her attention.

“I’ll stop by tomorrow night at five to pick you up for our dinner date,” I stated, dying to hear her reaction to my boldness.

Her typing slowed.

“No, you will not be here to pick me up at five for dinner. This is not a relationship, Chase, so stop treating it like one.”

Like I often did and was smart enough to do, I ignored her protest.

“My father, James, my brother, Blake, and my brother’s wife Tonya will be expecting you tomorrow. I already informed them you would be accompanying me.”

Dead silence.

“For fuck’s sake! You can’t do shit like that. You can’t go volunteering me for shit, especially not to dinner with your family.”

Was that it? I expected more of a fuss.

“My father requested it. He stated, and I quote, “I want to meet this unicorn who has you walking out of meetings and brushing off conference calls. And, I won’t take no for an answer” End quote.”

My father and I weren’t close, but we got along. We didn’t have the typical father/son relationship. He usually barked orders and delivered tough-love lessons. After having a series of strokes, his attitude had been tempered, but he was still tough as nails.

If I didn’t bring Jax to dinner as he had requested, he would call her himself and invite her over. I didn’t want him pulling off one of his off the wall lessons. I didn’t want him, or anyone doing something that might end up hurting her. I didn’t want to even know how my father had found out about us as I had been careful with her privacy.

A long stretch of silence filled the line.

“Jax?”

“I’m here,” she mumbled.

“What does your father know about us? You walking me out of a meeting is one thing, but how did that equate to him wanting you to bring me to dinner?”

“He’s resourceful.” I responded.

“What you’re not saying, is that he’s used his financial assets to snoop around enough to know that we’ve been…”

“Dating.” I finished for her. “Tomorrow at five. I’ll talk to you later, baby.” I puckered my lips, made a kissing sound, and hung up before she could protest or curse me any further.

***

When Jax opened her door, her appearance stopped me in my tracks. She was in nothing but a silk, navy-blue bra and panty set.

“Jax?”

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