Page 41 of Unsure in Love

My fingernails were nibbled down to stubs by the time I stepped into the skyscraper building. I was so on edge that I felt as if I’d snap in two at any moment.

Wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans, I aimed for the elevator. What I’d give to call one of my sisters for a little reassurance and comfort… But they were in the dark about my quest to find our long-lost father. I’d resorted to asking Keneti, a virtual stranger, to accompany me to meet my father because I was too afraid to go alone.

Just as I pressed the elevator button, the doors slid open. Julia, Keneti’s assistant, stepped out.

I blinked in surprise. “Julia, hi. You didn’t have to come down to meet me.”

“Hi, Cassandra.” The woman smiled. “Mr. Hudson sent me to intercept you.”

I lifted an eyebrow at her rueful grin.

“And to show you to the underground parking lot,” she added.

“Oh, okay.”

It made sense. Keneti offered to drive his personal vehicle, which was super nice of him. He didn’t even charge me extra for the trouble. When I brought up payment or renting my own ride, he’d balked at the idea. Allied Private Security sure knew how to treat their clients. I was grateful that someone else was driving. I was too wound up.

I stepped into the elevator with Julia, and we were on our way down.

“How are you doing, Cassandra?” Julia asked.

Naturally, as Keneti’s assistant, she knew about my case. And I’d spoken to the woman so much over the phone I felt as if we’d known each other a long time.

“I’m a nervous wreck.”

“Of course you are. You’ll be fine. Things will work out how they’re supposed to.”

I nodded and inhaled deeply. “Yes. Thanks.”

“Hey, it's okay to be nervous. It isn’t every day one meets their father who they haven’t seen in…”

“Twenty-two years,” I finished with a sigh.

Julia’s lips twisted into a sympathetic smile.

The ding of the elevator indicated our arrival on the ground floor. I followed Julia through the underground parking lot, too anxious to speak. We stopped beside a tinted black SUV parked in a slot with a reserved sign.

“Thanks, Julia. Keneti will be down soon, right?” I wanted to get this trip underway before I lost my nerve.

“About that,” Julia began. “There’s been—”

“I got it from here, Julia. Thanks.”

I gasped when Damian hopped out of the SUV. My gaze swung from him to Julia, who looked positively guilty. She gave me an apologetic smile and sauntered back to the elevator.

“Damian. What are you…?” I almost asked what he was doing here but remembering that he owned the company, I asked, “Where’s Keneti? I didn’t know you were tagging along.”

His eyebrows scrunched together. “I’m doing a lot more than tagging along, sweetness.” Nodding to the vehicle, he said, “Get in.”

My molars clamped together at the command. I ignored the butterflies that went crazy in my stomach at being called sweetness in that honey-like baritone. It reminded me of the last couple of nights I spent in his bed.

“I wasn’t told you’d join us on the trip.” Irritation clawed its way up to the surface, and I scowled at him.

He returned my severe look. “And you could have told me about it.” His eyebrows drew together. “You know, last night after we—”

“I didn’t see the need to inform you about my personal business,” I bit out. “Why wasn’t I told about this new development?”

“It was a last-minute decision,” he explained coolly as if I was just supposed to accept it without question.

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