Page 5 of Broken Daddy

I nod, considering. “Probably. You know, for a lot of women, that’s not a problem. Didn’t seem to bother you the other night.”

Gen’s mouth opens, but she pauses for a moment, then laughs. Something in her loosens, something in her look saysscrew it.I catch the mischievous twinkle in her eye before she comes back with, “True.”

“Mmm. So the issue is that your big brother might be upset?”

My fingers slowly drag the belt through the loops as I step closer to Gen. She watches the action, then looks up at me through those lashes again.

“Russ doesn’t need to know who I get into bed with,” she teases. “But—no. I’m more concerned with sleeping with a potential employer.”

There it is. Her tone goes back to brisk business, now that I have a pair of clean pants on. She pushes herself off the desk and brushes the skirt of her dress down, expression serious.

That lighthearted sexual tension is gone, and my eyes narrow. I’ve only been back in Gen’s orbit for two, three hours tops. And I can’t get a lock on her. First she’s demure, then apologetic, then teasing. Now her eyes are steel.

“I haven’t said yes yet, sugar.” The endearment spills out naturally and catches me off guard. I can’t remember the last time I called a womansugar,or anything close to it.

If Gen is surprised, she hides it well. “I’d appreciate your consideration.”

Short. To the point. We’re standing in the doorway, the chatter and music from the gala floating toward us. I decide to return the favor.

“When I put someone to work, I expect them to follow every. Word. I. Say.” My eyes drag down her body.

That tight bodice, that navy blue skirt flaring out perfectly at the knee. I think about how it looked rucked up around her thighs earlier as she knelt in front of me. “You don’t strike me as the kind of woman who plays nice with authority.”

For a moment, I think she’s going to keep her mouth shut. Back down in submission, in the hopes of getting the job.

Instead, Gen steps into the hall, limned in light from the party. She takes one last look at me and says, “Trust me, Nathan, I know how toplay nice.”

Chapter3

Genevieve

The subway takes me just outside of the city, no more than a twenty-minute ride. But as I step out of the car that picked me up at the station and look around, I note the landscape has transformed.

Instead of grid streets and towering buildings, I’m surrounded by spacious lots. Acres and acres of land with houses sitting far back, some behind gates, others invisible, thanks to thick stands of trees.

Taking a deep breath, I greedily inhale the clean air. It’s been a while since I’ve been truly out of the city and it feels…good.

It shouldn’t. That’s where the pang of guilt comes from. I should still be feeling anxious. I’m not saved yet, not by a long shot.

When The Black Fig let me go, I put up a fight. Maybe that was the wrong thing to do, since my reaction only seemed to confirm whatever lies were spread about me to the owner. He had me out that very night, right before the dinner service. I can still remember Erik’s blatant smirk from the kitchen.

Trying to get my mind off the past, I hike my bag up my shoulder and stare at the gate in front of me. It’s not massive by any means, but still impressive. Ornate, kind of. Number 1124 Orchard Drive.

“They definitely took out all the orchards to put these mini mansions in,” I mutter, pressing the buzzer on the stone buttress.

No voice comes, but the gears click and the gate opens. I start the decent walk up the drive, a slow winding slope; Nathan Sharpe’s house hidden from view, just like his neighbors.

Why does he want me here? Why did he agree to this?

I hadn’t been able to get a straight answer out of Russ when I found out Nathan agreed to this whole set. Russ, obviously not aware of what had happened between us, only shrugged and said he was probably just doing an old friend a favor. From what I gather, Russ asked Nate weeks before we ran into each other – but he agreedafterhe realized who I was, the night of the gallery event.

Whatever the reason, I’d had to bite my tongue. I couldn’t say no when both men were going out of their way to help me out. Luckily, Nate’s surprise decision to take me on was just enough time for me to sublet the apartment for a month, one out of the three I’ll be gone.

Just in case.

Just in case this doesn’t work out. Just in case we drive each other crazy. Just in case I have to give up my dream.

Scowling, I drag the roller suitcase behind me and feel my shoulder ache at the duffle bag thrown over it. But then the house comes into view, and I pause.

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