Page 82 of Taming the Elusive Billionaire

“Keep your voice down, honey,” Mom begged, reaching for my hand, and holding it gently.

“I am sorry,” Dad groaned, turning away from us as he went to the window to look outside. “I think this place is not safe for her.”

Frowning, Mom stood from the bed and moved toward Dad, “What are you talking about? What do you mean this place is not safe for her?”

Frantic, Dad turned away and scratched his head while I watched him, still holding the pillow for support, “I am afraid that man will try another means of trying to get her. He looks desperate enough to try such tricks the last time he came.”

“You are now being irrational.” Mom scoffed, turning away from him.

“You won’t understand what I mean because you didn’t see what I saw.”

“The man was here with us, and I saw everything you did. He seemed quieter.”

“The quieter, the more dangerous,” Dad muttered and turned toward me. “Do you have any friends?”

I shook my head and wiped the tears gathering again, “No, just Ella.”

“Who happens to be the man’s only sister.” Mom added.

“Don’t you have any other person in your artistic world? Classmate, just someone you can go to where Mason won’t be able to find you?” Dad continued.

“No, it’s just me.”

“Then I have to call your uncle.”

“No way is my daughter going there.” Mom countered, moving toward the bed, and sitting beside me, “Hell, your brother is a travel agent, doesn’t spend a full week in his home, and his wife works in healthcare. Who do you think will take care of my daughter over there.”

“We will figure out something but trust me, this is . . .”

The doorbell rang, and Dad turned, frowning. Afraid, he moved closer to the window and looked outside. “It’s the Mayor,” he muttered and wiped the sweat off his cheeks. “You both stay here,” he said, turning toward us. “This conversation is not finished yet.”

Dad hurried out of the door, and Mom looked at me, and for the first time, I saw her face clouded in fear.

She reached toward me, forcing a smile. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know. I am sorry that I have caused so much trouble. I probably look like a big mess, don’t I.”

Mom chuckled and touched my cheeks, “I think you look lovely. And, you have not caused a big mess. We will figure it out.”

“You should see your face when you said that.”

Mom touched her face, faking shock, “My face, what happened to me.”

I smiled and tried to come close to her, but the raised voice from the sitting room had us turning toward the door.

“What’s going on?” I whispered. “Is that dad’s voice I am hearing?”

“Stay here, I will go check.” Mom said and stood while I stood too, moving behind her as we made our way to the sitting room to find Dad pacing the whole floor and the mayor sitting meekly on the couch. “God, how reckless can you fucking be, Joseph?

Joseph, the mayor, raised his head, “I told you it was a rash decision. I didn’t know what came over me. I just thought the man was rash and wouldn’t come back for it.”

Frowning, Mom moved close to Dad and touched his tensed shoulder. “What is he talking about, honey?”

Dad kept silent, forcing Mom to turn to Joseph, who covered his face with his hands. “Mayor?”

The mayor cursed and rested his back on the couch, muttering inaudible words.

“Can someone just tell us what’s going on?”

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