Page 92 of Destiny

“Did I offer?” Donny continues to examine the paper. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise you.”

“How can you?” I ask. “You work for the city. The city’s your client. Not the Steel Trust, and certainly not the Murphys.”

“I didn’t say you were my client. This is a family matter, and I’m part of the Steel family.”

He marches toward the staircase, Callie following, and then instructs an intern to make a copy of the document while Dad and I wait.

“Did you need anything else?” Donny asks.

“Just your assurance that you’ll call as soon as you find anything out.”

“You have that,” Donny says. “You’ve always had that.”

I haven’t told my father about the Steels paying for my apartment. He definitely would not take that well.

Some way or another, I will repay them all.

But before I can even think about that, I have to figure out how to pay the damned lien on the bar.

And no, I will not take more money from Donny Steel to do it.

“Let’s go, Dad,” I say.

“Yeah. I guess our business is done here.” Dad takes the paper from Donny, nearly ripping it from his hands. “You haven’t heard the last of this.”

“I’m sure I haven’t,” Donny says. “I can assure you my family has no interest in your property.”

“I’d say your family has a huge interest in my property.” Dad points to the paper.

“You know what I mean. No interest in taking your property from you. Whatever the Steel Trust is, I will find it.”

“You see that you do.” Dad turns and heads out the door.

“It’s not you so much he’s angry at,” I say.

“I’d say he’s very angry with me. And frankly, I don’t blame him.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s not you. It’s the Steels as an entity. He’s convinced you guys had something to do with his great-uncle’s death, and now with Wendy Madigan back in the picture, and this long-lost cousin we found, it’s a lot to take.”

“It is a lot to take,” Donny says, “but isn’t your father glad that his uncle has a son? His uncle may be gone, but his progeny lives on.”

“His progeny lives on because of the Steels.”

“Don’t forget, Brendan. Wendy Madigan isnota Steel.”

“She considers herself one, Donny.”

“That may be true, but her reality isn’tactualreality.”

“No, it sure isn’t.” I shake my head. “I sure as hell don’t like this pull she’s got over Ava right now.”

“Ava’s strong. She’ll be all right.”

“She is strong,” I say, “and yes, in the long run, shewillbe all right. But something’s tugging at her. Something that’s keeping her away from me. And that’s not what I’m most concerned about. What I’m most concerned about isher. Her sense of self. It’s being threatened, and it’s being threatened by her newfound grandmother.”

“Yeah. I’ve talked to Brock about that. He’s worried too. But like I said, she’s strong.”

“I wish I knew how to help her.”

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