Page 37 of Reputation (Tempt)

“And so has Jackson,” I said.

“Good.”

Emerson returned to asking questions about the Huxley Grand Abu Dhabi. Graham was more than happy to drone on about the history of the building until another call came in. I stilled when Trinity’s name flashed across the screen.What the…

Emerson turned to me, eyes questioning. She’d never had to interact with my ex before, and I could tell she was surprised Trinity was calling. Hell, so was I.

Brooklyn glanced up at me, her brow furrowed. “Dad, why’sshecalling?”

I schooled my face into a neutral expression as I tried to push aside my personal feelings about my ex. I reminded myself that Trinity was Brooklyn’s mother, even if she didn’t act like it most of the time. I mean, hell, Trinity couldn’t even find the time to call and wish her daughter a happy birthday, but she could try to fight me for custody?

I smiled, hoping it came off as reassuring instead of deranged. “I’m sure she just wants to wish you a merry Christmas.”

Brooklyn dipped her head then asked, “Do I have to talk to her?”

My heart cracked a little.

I wanted to say no, but I knew Trinity would try to twist it to accuse me of parental alienation—that I was intentionally trying to keep her away from her daughter or poison their relationship. I never said anything negative about Trinity in front of Brooklyn. I rarely even talked about her because, for the most part, she didn’t exist in our world. Except when it was convenient for Trinity or benefited her.

“Who is it?” Sloan asked.

“Trinity.”

Sloan was fuming. Jasper opened his mouth to say something—likely negative. And Graham took over. “Merry Christmas. Talk to you later.” He ended the call abruptly.

I knew he was only trying to protect Brooklyn, but I nearly laughed at the gruff way in which he’d done it.

“I’ll just answer, and if you want to say hi, you can,” I said to Brooklyn.

Emerson excused herself, standing just as I’d tapped the button to connect the call. I took a deep breath as Trinity’s face filled the screen. The sight of my ex immediately set me on edge. But I was an actor. I could act pleasant for five minutes or however long it took Trinity to grow bored and end the call. To prove whatever point she was currently trying to make.

“Brooklyn, darling,” she crooned, and I clamped my mouth shut. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” Brooklyn muttered, becoming a shell of her usual bubbly self.

I clenched my fists and then released them, placing my hand on Brooklyn’s back and rubbing circles in silent support.

Trinity blabbered on for a few minutes before finally saying, “Hey, sweetie. Can I talk to your dad alone for a sec?”

As much as I despised Trinity for abandoning our daughter, a selfish part of me was grateful I’d never had to deal with the logistics of sharing custody. I got all Brooklyn’s birthdays. All her Christmases. And I was determined not to let that change just because Trinity had suddenly decided to act like she cared.

If she genuinely wanted a relationship with our daughter, then I was all for it. But she’d always viewed Brooklyn as a pawn, and I refused to play her games.

“Yep.” Brooklyn handed me the device and then darted toward Emerson’s room without even saying goodbye. And definitely not “I love you.”

I stood and carried the phone to my office, closing the door behind me. I was grateful Brooklyn had someone like Emerson to turn to. Someone she could trust and confide in in addition to me.

“What do you want?” I snapped, unable to control myself after seeing how Trinity’s call had impacted Brooklyn.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” Trinity said in an upbeat tone.

“If there’s a point, you better get to it.”

She sighed and studied her perfectly manicured fingernails. “Oh, Nate. Always in such a rush. If only you could’ve slowed down and stopped being so controlling, maybe we would’ve had a chance.”

I tried not to let her see how her words affected me. Even if there was a kernel of truth to them, they didn’t tell the entire story. We would’ve never had a chance because she’d never been authentic about who she was. And by the time I’d realized it, it was too late.

That said, I knew my ex well enough to know she was baiting me. But I refused to stoop to her level. It wasn’t worth my time.

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