Page 96 of Required Surrender

“I dunno, but you’re going to need to ask our boss. I just do as I’m told.”

I hadn’t expected what he’d said. As I pulled away, I could tell he wasn’t lying to me. My mind drifted to the group Lachlan had told me about.

“Okay, thanks,” I told him as I headed toward his door.

“Lark. Let me give you a piece of advice. If you want to make any headway at this firm, be careful snooping around too much. You’re very good at what you do, but it only takes a single phone call. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Braxton wasn’t threatening me. He was issuing a genuine warning. But I had the distinct feeling I knew exactly who was behind controlling what went on inside the firm.

My father.

I left without speaking to anyone else, but not without noticing Trent standing inside his office peering out the all glass window.

As soon as I hit the hallway outside the office, I dialed my father’s number. As expected, I was forced to leave a message. “I don’t know what you’re doing, Dad, but your attempt at controlling my life by hurting Lachlan isn’t going to work. Just stay away from me and from him.”

I was letting the anger get the better of me. What could I do to ruin my father’s life as he’d ruined mine? As I slapped my hand on the elevator door, the anger almost became overwhelming. After all the tears I’d shed as a little girl, I wasn’t known for allowing but so many things to get to me. But right now, I felt as if I’d been shoved inside a box.

My career had been decided for me.

My education.

The location where I worked.

Hell, I’d even been encouraged to take up residence in DC.

I’d lost far too much in the twenty plus years I’d been on this earth. No more. I was finished with being controlled.

Except by Lachlan. That was my choice, the first one that had felt right, perfect in my entire life. And because of the ugliness with my father, I’d lost the love of my life and the man I wanted to call Master.

I had every right to be furious and teary-eyed. As the doors opened, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, accidentally running into someone exiting. “I’m sorry.”

“Lark. I wasn’t paying attention,” Jeffrey said, laughing as he continued to hold my arms. “Are you okay? You look a little shaken.”

“I’m fine. Just… everything’s wrong. But I’m determined to fix it.” He had his hand on the door, keeping it open. As he looked me over, I could tell there was something on his mind.

“Davidson was guilty by the way. I’d come to that determination before he killed himself.”

“Killed himself? I thought… by what I read in the article, I thought he was murdered.”

He rolled his eyes. “You know how the press overreacts. He knew the heat was coming down on him. No loss as far as I’m concerned.”

Why was it that what he was saying made me uncomfortable as hell? “I didn’t have the time to get into his case. You’d know better.”

“Yes, I would.”

“Such a shame.”

“Mmm… Not necessarily. By the way. I know this might be an awkward time, but I’d love to grab a coffee or take you out for a glass of wine when you’re free.”

The invitation was unexpected, although he’d asked me out once before. “I… my life is a bit complicated right now. I need to figure some things out. My ex left me uncertain about dating. I think you know what I mean.”

Jeffrey hesitated, his expression unreadable. “Of course.” Then he gave me another heated look before backing away. “Well, I won’t keep you. I know you have… situations of your own to deal with.”

“Actually, a wedding and all the trimmings.” While I laughed, my hackles were raised. Why would the police lie about the man’s death? The elevator suddenly felt claustrophobic, my throat tightening.

“Hopefully, you’ll be back at work soon.”

“I plan on it.” Although I wasn’t certain of my plans at this point. As the elevator doors started to close, he smiled. Then he said a single word that didn’t register until after the doors were closed.

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