Chapter 6

Posey

As I drive away from Ledger, I realize how much I enjoy spending time with him. He's funny. He's kind. It's refreshing being around him.

I head across town, going straight to my father's house.

When I arrive, he's sitting on the porch in an old wicker chair, as if he's waiting for me.

"Hey, Dad," I say as I step out of my car.

"Hey, Pumpkin," he says back with a smile.

The house is rundown not because of neglect, but because my father doesn't have the funds for remodels.

It's an older wood-framed home, sitting next to an abandoned lot. The home was built in the mid-fifties, making it one of the oldest homes on the block. Blue paint chips away from the weathered clapboard siding. The front porch, adorned with a creaky wooden swing, overlooks a small garden that has seen better days.

I take the chair next to him and sit down. "I stopped by to see how you're doing."

He leans back in his seat. "I'm good. I've been busy with this new app. It's going to change everything." He holds out his phone for me to see. "People can place bets straight from their phone."

I nod. "That's exciting," I say, even though my voice is lackluster and full of no excitement whatsoever.

"I'm going to fix this mess." His face has seen better days too. Once he was so full of life, now he looks beaten down. And I know exactly why. He knows I have no choice in marrying Bane, and I feel the worry and guilt plays heavily on his features.

I take his hand. "I hope it works. But don't spend any more money."

My father pushes his phone away and for the first time since I've arrived looks me straight in the eyes. "I'll figure out something."

I wrap an arm around his shoulder. "Dad, I don't think there's any other way. It'll be fine." I need to change the subject before my father breaks down in tears over the situation. Again. "I went by Danbury Park today. Our little beach we used to fish at is still there. Maybe we can go again soon."

My father smiles at me. "I'd like that. I got some new bait that should work wonders." He stands from his seat. "Let me show you."

I follow him into the house, and nothing has changed since I moved out a few months ago. The original hardwood flooring has lost its shine, and the kitchen, although outdated, is clean and well taken care of.

He heads into the garage off the side of the kitchen, and pulls down a white bait box. "We could go this weekend. Catch some big ones."

I smile. "Okay." I don't know if I'll be able to go on this fishing excursion, but I won't tell my father that. I don't know what Bane has scheduled for me. It's a miracle he lets me out of the house occasionally. It's not like I could go anywhere.

Where would I run?

Bane knows this. Bane knows he has me by a thread. It's why he lets me have certain freedoms, because he knows if he didn't it would probably raise more questions than it's worth.

Bane knows that I know he'd hurt my father if I ever left. He'd hurt me too.

My father is my entire world. He's the man who raised me when my mother walked away, and he's always tried the best he can. Not his fault he has a gambling problem. It's also not his fault he still can't seem to stop gambling, even though he promised me he would.

Bane has blacklisted my father from making any bets with his bookies, and so far so good, but I need to look into this app on his phone more. I can't have my father running up more debt.

Sacrificing my life for my father was never a big deal for me. It's not like I had much going on anyway, and I couldn't see any way out of our predicament.

But now I'm feeling anxious as the date marches closer. As reality slaps me in the face that I'll be Mrs. Bane Delgado soon. My best-case scenario is that he is declared guilty and receives a lengthy jail term, but I'm realistic enough to know that's unlikely.

In fact, I'm waiting for the day the case crumbles and Bane's released from house arrest.

I'm sure it'll happen soon.

My father shows me all the new bait he's gotten, but I don't really hear anything he's saying. My mind is totally consumed by Ledger Thorne. I can't stop thinking about him. Wondering if he's thinking about me at this very moment.

My phone dings, and I pull it out of my purse while my father has moved on from the bait and plays with the app on his phone. I smile at Ledger's text.

Good news. We do sell an orange-flavored cigar in the shop at the club. Nobody bought one the night of the attack, but we're pulling up the sales for the month. Hopefully, we'll have some answers soon.

I should just thank him for the update, but instead, I text back…

And here I thought you were missing me, but you're acting like Sherlock Holmes, trying to solve the case. I appreciate it.

Maybe I do miss you.

Heat travels through me while reading his message. I want to bathe in the thrill I'm feeling right now. It's dangerous, but exciting. I shouldn't respond, but how can I not? My fingers tap away at the screen, writing out a response.

I'm sure you miss many women.

Ledger's undeniable good looks probably result in him having many women he texts every day. His phone must buzz constantly from admirers. His captivating dark eyes, his allure and charm, and his chiseled features must make him a chick magnet.

I'm not a many women kind of guy.

Surprising. I raise a brow as I read his message again.

Really? Working at a sex club, I'd think you have many women on your roster.

That's where you're wrong.

I surprise myself when I type back a simple word—

Why?

"Want to go inside?" my father asks, and I shove my phone into my purse, not wanting my father to question me about who I'm texting.

It would be the worst if my dad accidentally spilled the beans to Bane about me texting someone. My father would never deny my trust, and if I told him to keep a secret, he would, but I'd rather not have to cross that bridge.

My phone dings in my purse, but I'm already standing, heading back into the house. Before moving in with Bane, I lived here with my father.

Sunlight streams in through the lace curtains, casting a soft glow across the well-loved furniture. There are still family photos lining the walls. Most of them are pictures of my mother and me.

We head into the kitchen, the heart of the home, and I grab a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Are you still working at the docks?" I ask my father, wondering if he's still keeping his job with Don Jones. Don's the dock manager, and my father's had on-and-off employment with him most of my life. Loading and unloading ships. Making sure the infrastructure of the docks held up to safety protocols. Even cleaning the bathrooms. He's done it all.

My father's weathered face smiles as he glances at me. "I'm working there on the weekends. Don needed help because a few workers quit. So, I told him I'd help him out for a few months."

I roll my eyes. "Dad, you need to stay on with Don. Maybe get a full-time job with him."

My father scrubs a hand down his face. "Maybe I will. I just want to get time off for your wedding and to be there for you."

"You're always here for me, Daddy," I say, patting his shoulder. "I appreciate all you do for me." And I do. My father may have a gambling problem, but he also stepped up when my mother hauled ass out of town. He was there for me growing up, being the best father he could be.

"Are you hungry? I was just about to make a small dinner." He opens the fridge and pulls out a package of deli meat. "I can make you a sandwich."

"Thanks, Dad," I say, nodding.

My father busies himself making two turkey sandwiches as I grab my phone out of my purse, unable to resist the urge to see what Ledger said back to me.

I swipe my phone open and see two unread messages from him.

Sex may be my job but doesn't mean I'm not picky.

And in case you're wondering, it's been a while.

His messages make my eyes pop and the way he just shared that personal information makes my insides tingle as I type my reply.

Well, it's been forever for me.

Dad plates our sandwiches, and I shut my phone off, not sure if I should have sent him that. He'll probably stop messaging with me altogether, which is what we should do.

I shouldn't be playing this game with him. But as I sit and eat my turkey sandwich with my father, I can't help but turn my phone back on and spot that I've got one unread message from Ledger.

When I return to Bane's home in the hills, it's later in the evening.

"Where were you?" Bane asks, scaring me as I step through the front door.

"Have you been waiting for me?" I ask him, as he sits in a high wing-back chair, a glass of amber-colored liquor in his hand.

"Where were you?"

"Visiting my father," I say back to him. He always lets me visit my father on Sundays.

"How is the old man?" Bane lifts the tumbler to his mouth and takes a long pull.

"He's good." The way Bane's eyes scrutinize me make me feel like I'm in an interrogation. I want to flee to the safety of my room, but I know better than to disobey him.

Bane rises from his seat, stalking closer. "I heard he's been trying to place bets."

I shake my head, terrified as Bane moves closer to me. "He wouldn"t do that," I say, but my voice is shaky.

"I hope he's not trying to think he can pay off his debt and you wouldn't have to marry me." He swipes a strand of hair from my face, and pushes it behind my ear. It sends shivers up and down my spine.

And not because it turned me on, quite the opposite actually. He horrifies me.

"There's no escaping me, Posey." The way he says my name makes my stomach churn with acid.

"I know," I whisper out.

"There's no escaping this. Even if your father did miraculously come up with the funds to pay me off, I'd still keep you for my bride. You're mine." He steps back, taking another drink from his glass.

I meet his eyes and nod.

He dismisses me, and I run up to my bedroom, slam the door shut and fling myself on the bed. I breathe in deep through my nose, and out my mouth, trying to will my body to calm down.

Breathe.

After a few minutes, I get ready for bed, and slide under the covers, turning out the lamp by my bedside. I grab my phone, and open the thread I've got with Ledger.

That's a shame.

I smile at his reply, but I need to navigate this texting back to safe ground.

Well, I'll be a married woman soon enough.

He replies immediately.

When's the lucky day?

We haven't picked a day yet, due to Bane's case, but soon.

I'm sure you can't wait.

I read that response over and over, wanting to tell Ledger the truth. That I can wait. That I hope Bane goes to jail and I won't have to marry him. But those aren't the cards that were dealt to me. So, I lie.

I can't. We're thinking of having the wedding here. I can get you an invite. I do have some pull.

I laugh at my little joke.

The opportunity to see you in a wedding dress is something I can't pass up.

See, there you go again, being a nice guy.

Trust me, I'm really not that nice. I think you just bring it out in me.

Happy to help.

I smile and settle into my bed to get comfortable while I grip the phone, waiting for Ledger to respond. It's getting late, and I'm wondering if he's at work.

Like right now, I'm not being very nice to this couple that are causing issues at the club.

What are they doing?

Testing my patience.

I giggle to myself.

Sounds ominous. I bet you're very patient.

My body warms thinking about how patient Ledger was with me the night I was attacked.

Sometimes

What are you up to tonight? What did you have for dinner?

No big dinner. Just a turkey sandwich earlier when I was at my father's.

I'll probably grab a burger later from the club's kitchen.

I love burgers. It's one of my favorite foods.

Really? I wouldn't have pictured that.

I giggle more.

What would you picture me liking?

Something other than a burger.

What's your favorite food?

That's easy. Steak. Med-rare. Side of potatoes.

So typical.

How so?

I love how we don't have to talk about anything really. Just a nice relaxing conversation. And after the night I've had, that's what I need right now.

Normal.

Safe.