Part 16 (1/2)

I turned back. Daniel emerged out of the fog toward me, no love in his eyes. I slipped past his man and only made it a few steps before he grabbed me by my s.h.i.+rt and yanked me back toward the car where Daniel met me.

”Let her go, Connor.”

He released me on command and I backed slowly towards the car, trying to create as much distance between them and me as I could.

”You didn't let me finish.”

”What more is there to say? You killed your son. You want me to congratulate you?”

”He wasn't my son. But by G.o.d, you're my daughter. You're a Hathaway on paper, Erica, but as far as I'm concerned you're a Fitzgerald.”

”What do you mean?”

”A few more months and I'll be in the governor's seat. Then before you know it, we'll be in Was.h.i.+ngton working our way up, and you're going to help me get there.”

”How could I possibly do that? I know nothing about politics.”

”Get your business profitable and sell it, or don't. I don't really care, but I'm bringing you on to lead my online campaigning efforts. You're smarter than anyone I've got.”

I gasped. He couldn't mean this. He couldn't have crafted this entire plan in his head and thought that I would celebrate with him. I waved my hand, dismissing the suggestion. ”No. I'm not having any part of this. I like my life just the way it is, thank you.”

His face twisted into an unpleasant sneer. ”That's right. I almost forgot about our friend, Landon. He won't let you give up so quickly, will he?”

”I doubt it, since he's invested four million dollars in the company.”

”Pay it back.”

”What do you mean? I can't pay it all back yet, even if I wanted to. I've already started investing it.”

”I'll help you pay it back.”

”This is insane, Daniel. Maybe we should talk about this another time, when things aren't so complicated. You're asking me to give up everything I've worked for.”

”That's not all you'll be giving up.”

”What do you mean?”

”Landon. He needs to be out of the picture.”

The blood drained from my face.

He laughed. ”Well, not completely out of the picture. As long as you work with me, Erica, I'll be satisfied if you just remove him from your life. That way I won't need to remove him in a more permanent fas.h.i.+on.”

I fisted my hands, tensing against the anger that rushed over me. He couldn't be serious. ”Blake isn't a threat. He loves me. You're deranged if you think I'd leave him just because-”

His nostrils flared. Without warning he lifted his arm and backhanded me against the car. I fell back with a thud, catching myself before I dropped to the ground. My shaky hand went to the place where he'd made contact. The sharp pain of it paled in comparison to the shock that he'd done it, and without hesitation. I pulled myself up slowly, too afraid to look at him. I had to get out of here but before I could even think about my next move, he brought his face inches from mine. I swallowed hard and pressed back against the car trying to still my rapid breathing.

”That's a warning.”

I s.h.i.+vered at the unforgiving tone.

”I run this f.u.c.king city. I don't care how much money Landon's got, no one threatens me and gets away with it. You'll do this or I'll f.u.c.king kill him. He wouldn't be the first to cross me, and I doubt he'd be the last. I protect what's mine at all costs, and right now he's in my f.u.c.king way.”

I recoiled at the venom in his voice. I was too stunned, too scared to speak. I chanced a look at Connor who stood apathetic and emotionless a few feet behind Daniel. My chances of getting out of this situation on my terms were quickly dwindling. I fought the tremble that coursed through me. I was trapped.

Cautiously I tilted my head up to Daniel, trying to read him. He stared back with a smug glitter in his eyes.

”You wouldn't,” I challenged, my jaw resolute.

He lifted his hand and I flinched back. I opened my eyes when he brushed his knuckles over the stinging flesh of my cheek, a surprising act of tenderness after what he'd just done and said.

”I certainly would, Erica. Don't doubt it.” His voice was low, deliberately slow, his breath spiked with alcohol. ”You're smart so it won't take long for you to learn how things work in this family. If you care for him, you'll stay away from him. We don't need any more accidents. Do you understand?”

Fear sliced through me, his words chilling my blood. When he put it like that, nothing had ever been more clear. I swallowed before answering, trying to keep my voice steady.

”I understand.”

CHAPTER TEN.

”Let me out here.”

Connor slowed to a stop a few blocks from the office. I reached for the handle. Daniel caught my wrist, preventing me from exiting the vehicle, which was all I'd wanted to do for the past twenty minutes. I'd loosely considered jumping out of it while we were driving, but thought better of it.

”I know you're going to think I did this for the campaign, but I did this for you. For us. I made a sacrifice, and now you need to make one.”

I stared blankly out the window. After all of that, he wanted my blessing, my forgiveness? That he did was almost laughable.

”Look at me.”

I closed my eyes a second before facing him.

”He's too close to all of this, and I can't take any more chances. Try to understand what's at risk before you decide to hate me.”

I caught a glimmer of regret in his eyes. Maybe he was sobering up, but the part of me that might have softened at his words before had been silenced. Only days ago, I'd longed to know him better. Now I'd gotten a glimpse of who he really was-a dark and violent man under the suits and the clout. I'd seen too much, and there was no going back now.

”Can I go now?” I wasn't sure how much longer I could survive in his proximity. I longed for the muggy summer air outside the car, to be free of him and his G.o.dd.a.m.n henchman. His threats and his warped brand of paternal love were suffocating me. The urge to scream simmered below the surface. If I didn't get out of the car soon, I was going to boil over.

Finally he released me. I left the vehicle as gracefully as I could when I wanted to scramble out and run as hard as my legs would take me. Instead, I kept a steady normal pace back to the office, never looking back.

When I arrived, James was there. His gaze was glued to his computer screen. He stood and came closer when he saw me.

”Jesus, are you okay?”

I hadn't been crying, but my face felt hot and swollen. I looked to the floor, self-conscious and all too aware of the heated skin where Daniel had slugged me. I hoped it didn't look as bad as it felt-physically, anyway. Nothing could look as terrible as I felt on the inside.