Page 45 of Disgraced (Russian Sinners 3)

“Where is Dad?” I asked her. I wouldn’t comment on her statement. There was no sense in pretending or lying about it. They knew me too well.

“He’s in his office,” she replied, smiling softly. “Let him know you are here and then come back and sit with me for a bit.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back,” I promised.

I guess my father didn’t have a guest after all. If he did, Mom wouldn’t have told me to interrupt him.

As I approached his office, I could have sworn I heard multiple voices coming from his office. But the knowledge that my mother never allowed my brothers and I to interrupt Father during his meetings had me ignore what I thought I heard.

I knocked on the door and my dad’s booming voice traveled over. “Yes?”

I cracked the heavy mahogany door open and my step faltered half across the threshold of the entrance. My dad was not alone and I stood there in confusion, undecided if I should apologize and shut the door or go greet my dad.

“Um, sorry Dad,” I muttered, glancing at the back of a man’s blonde head. The man never turned, his back leaned casually against the seat, his one ankle crossed at his knee. The way he sat reflected power and dominance. Although he was in my father’s office, I swore it looked like my father was the visitor. “I didn’t realize you had a guest.”

But I really knew he did. Otherwise an unfamiliar car wouldn’t be parked in front of our house. Why didn’t I question my mom and Uncle Seamus? It was clear as day that Dad had a visitor if an unfamiliar vehicle was parked in front of the house. My dad quickly stood up and strode toward me.

“Scarlett, my girl.” He wrapped his arms around me, just like he did when I was a little girl. “I’m so glad you are home.”

My eyes traveled to the man seated but he still didn’t move, as if uncaring of his surroundings.

“Is everything okay, Dad?” It was weird for him not to scold me for interrupting his meeting.

“Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”

My eyes darted between my dad and the stranger who still didn’t bother turning around.

“No reason,” I ended up answering. “I’m around today and tomorrow, but leaving Sunday. Okay?”

He kissed me on the cheek and nudged me out of his office, following behind me.

“Yes, I remember,” he retorted. “But when you come back, we have to move forward with your engagement.”

I looked at my dad in disbelief. Not even ten minutes back and he couldn’t resist bringing it up.

“Seriously?” I hissed. “I literally just came in the door and we are already back to that. I told you, there is no way in hell-”

“Scarlett,” his voice was warning me.

“Don’t Scarlett me,” I seethed with anger. “How could you even ask that of me? I’m not property for you to settle.”

“It is not like that, daughter.”

“Well, it sure as hell looks like it to me,” I retorted in a slightly elevated tone. “How could you even ask me to marry a perfect stranger?”

“Well, you could meet him-”

It was my turn to cut him off. “Hell no, I don’t want to meet him. I want you and him to end this ridiculous idea,” I demanded. “This is my life, not yours and certainly not this damn old guy’s.”

“He’s not old.”

I scoffed. “It is not what I meant. I just meant-,” then I quickly cut myself off realizing he was getting me sidetracked. “It doesn’t matter to me how old he is. When I get married, it will be because I love a man and want to get married. And you should want that for me. Not make a damn arrangement, signing me off. I was seventeen for Christ’s sake when you two decided that. Is that even legal?”

My dad’s dark eyes watched me, letting me get my rant out of the way. Unfortunately, his calm demeanor got me even more fired up.

“Why did I even bother coming home?” I complained, regretting my homecoming already. This must have been a new record. Less than an hour and I was already leaving. “I’ll just grab my passport and a few things. I’m not staying.”

“Sweetheart,” it was my mother’s soft voice right behind me. “Let’s just all calm down.”

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