1. Ember

1

EMBER

“ A re you listening to me?”

No. I haven’t been listening for the last twenty minutes. Not since he told me he’s sending me away with some sort of bodyguard assassin.I’m not going to say that out loud, though.

My father leans back in his leather chair and laces his hands over his stomach, his face a mask of calmness. Sitting across from him, I want to pull my knees to my chest and curl into a tiny ball. Instead, my entire body trembles.

I look around the large office, wishing someone would jump out from behind a piece of furniture to tell me I’m being pranked. It would be an awful joke, but at least it would mean what my father is saying isn’t real.

“I don’t understand. If you think the threats aren’t anything to be worried about, why do I need a bodyguard? And why do I have to go to a safe house?”

None of it makes sense.

“Because you’re my daughter and the most important thing in my life. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

I stare at my father, blinking rapidly. I want to laugh at that; surely it was a joke. Yet, he looks dead serious. If I weren’t his daughter, I’d probably believe him. But I’ve lived with him for twenty-two years, and I know when he’s lying.

Like when he goes into congressional meetings and lies his ass off about whatever it is he’s trying to get passed. Or when he speaks at press conferences and answers questions with complete baloney. He’s wearing the same confident yet friendly, trust me and vote for me expression right now as he does then.

“Why are they threatening me ? I never appear with you. I’m not involved in anything political. I’m surprised they even know I’m your daughter.”

He steeples his index fingers and rests his elbows on the desk. Then he sighs like this conversation is exhausting him. “I don’t know why they are threatening you, Ember, but they are, and I’m not having you here unprotected. I’ve arranged for one of the best men in the country to keep you safe until we find who it is.”

I lower my face into my hands and rock back and forth while trying to keep myself calm. It’s getting harder to breathe with every second, and if I don’t get it under control, I’m going to have a full-blown panic attack.

“Ember, are you listening?” he asks again.

Part of me wants to stomp my foot and yell at my father that I’m an adult and can decide for myself what I want. The other part of me wants to hide under my bed with Spike, so the scary people can’t ever find me. Although that might not be the best hiding spot. They’d probably check there first. Maybe my closet would be a better place.

This isn’t the first time my father has received threats. He’s a congressman. It comes with the job. But it’s the first time he’s received a threat to harm me. And the scary part is, he doesn’t know why they want to kill me.

“I know you’re scared and don’t want to go away, but it’s for your safety. You’ll be fine. It’s only going to be for a short time until we find whoever is making these threats.”

I twist my fingers together, feeling so small. I don’t want to go. I want to stay here where it’s familiar. I’ve spent enough time in strange places over the years.

When I don’t say anything, he sighs heavily again. “Go pack whatever you need for a couple of weeks. My security team will get you to the bodyguard safely.”

My heart stops, and my hands go cold. “I have to go right now?”

He huffs and for the first time, I notice stress lines on my father’s face as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Yes, Ember. Go. Now. I’ll be here waiting to take you to him. We need to be there in an hour.”

T ears run down my cheeks as I carry a shoulder bag stuffed full of clothes, necessities, and Spike down the grand staircase. I’ve tried to get myself together three times already, but each time I think I’m done crying, it starts all over again.

My father is already standing by the door along with his security detail. When he sees me, he strides to the bottom of the steps, his face etched with what looks like actual concern. “It’s only for a little while, Ember. A couple of weeks at most.”

Yeah, but why do I feel like my father is always sending me away? Whether it was boarding school or summer camps, I’ve spent most of my life living elsewhere. I was shocked when I told my father I wanted to go to college locally and he agreed without too much argument. It’s not that I’m especially attached to this house or living with him, but I was so tired of having roommates and never getting any alone time. I didn’t want to live in a dorm. All the noise and mean girls and petty drama was too much for me.

I don’t say any of this out loud, of course. Even though I want to shout and ask him to be a loving parent for once. To be present and involved in my life instead of sending me away for someone else to deal with me.

He studies me silently for a moment before he reaches into his pocket. “When you get back, things are going to be different, Ember. I know I haven’t been the best dad, and it might be too late to rebuild our relationship, but if you’re up for it, I’d like to try.”

My mouth drops open. Did I hear him correctly? It feels like my mind is playing tricks on me. Then he pulls a necklace from his pocket, the silver twinkling under the foyer lights.

“I’ve got this for you. It’s a compass with the coordinates for our house engraved on it. A reminder that, no matter what, this is your home, Ember.” His voice is rough, like he’s having a hard time speaking.

“Dad,” I say tightly, trying to keep from bursting into a ball of sobs.

“I have a lot of making up to do and this is just the beginning. This will all be over in no time, and then we’ll be able to start over. What do you think?”

As I stare up at him, my heart squeezing with a mix of uncertainty and hope, I hate that I can’t tell if he’s genuine or not. He’s so good at getting people to believe him. Is this a ploy to get me out of his hair to agree to go with this bodyguard? It sucks not to know, and it sucks even more that every part of me hopes that he’s telling the truth. That he really wants to have a relationship with me. Even though he hasn’t been a great parent, he’s still my dad.

“Okay.” I swipe at my cheeks and nod. “I’d like that.”

He smiles and fumbles with the clasp of the necklace. “Turn around, I’ll put it on you. It’s an expensive necklace, so make sure not to take it off until you’re back home. I’d be devastated if you lost it. It’s so special.”

Bringing my fingers to the dime-sized compass, I blink several times, a watery smile on my lips. “I won’t take it off, Dad. Thank you. This… It means a lot to me.”

When he takes a step back, I let go of my hair and turn to face him, trying to put on a brave face. “Okay. I’m ready.”