Page 39 of Ruthless Villain

“Cole knows I'm not okay with it.” He grimaces, enhancing his deep crow’s feet.

“I guess that’s something.”

“As you know, I’ve spoken with him and I assure you it won’t happen again.” He briefly touches my shoulders.

“I hope not.”

His face softens. “Did you at least have a good break at the spa?”

“I did.” With the warning he just issued me I’m so glad I told my family I went to the spa.

Presumably Dad must know Luc was in Vegas. If he knew I was there too, it might not be hard to figure out that I didn’t just meet Luc today. Dad saw him touching my face. That was why he cleared his throat. As innocent as the gesture was, it would have appeared far too intimate for people who’djustmet if Dad knew my Vegas connection.

“All I want now is for you to focus on getting better.” He gives me a firm stare.

“I’m not sick like that, Dad.”

“Yes, you are, sweetheart.” His voice drops a notch lower and he glances around to make sure no one else is close enough to hear us. “Listen to me. You’re off work on medical grounds.”

“I know. But?—”

“Autumn. We need to take this matter seriously. I wish I’d put my foot down sooner. After the accident you should have come to stay with us. You should have moved to New York with us.” He drops his voice lower. “If I had insisted, rehab wouldn’t have been necessary and the elevator incident wouldn’t have happened either.”

“L.A. is my home.

He rests his hands on my shoulders again. “You might disagree with me to the moon and back, but being with your family will give you the support you need. Allow us to be there for you.”

“Does being there for me also include delaying the release of my inheritance?” I have to ask. Not knowing and being held in this raw suspense is eating me alive.

“If we need to.”

The walls of my insides cave and crumble, making me feel like I’m being pulled into a bottomless pit. “Dad, this is not fair.

“Sweetheart, I promise you that if all is well when the time comes the money is yours.”

“If all is well?”

“IfIthink you’re well.”

Wow.Well, there it is.

“I think if you stick to the plan I’ve set out and do all the things I’ve suggested, you should be fine,” he adds, the undertone of power lacing through each word.

What he means is, if I do as I’m told we won’t have a problem. Doing as I’m told seems to currently include staying in New York for the duration of the sabbatical, working with my mother, and the newest addition of staying away from Luc Le Blanche.

Dad gives my shoulders a gentle squeeze then releases me. “I don’t want you to worry about this.”

“But I do.” The icy tendrils of hopelessness have slithered into my veins, slowing my blood.

“How about we see what happens?” Dad’s voice is gentle, holding an air of understanding that clashes with the dictator he just displayed. “Okay?”

I’m silent for a moment. Thinking. This conversation got me nowhere. It just confirmed what I already thought, and there’s nothing more I can do. Except what I’m doing—being a mindless automaton who takes orders from my father.

“Sure,” I answer with reluctance.

“Good. Just trust me to be your father, sweetheart. I know best.” Dad lifts his head, then he smiles when he looks over my shoulder.

I turn to see what he’s looking at.

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