Crown of Lies

Inching from the booth, I ignored Greg’s question and smiled at Steve. “Excuse me. I’d better go tell my father his dinner is on the table.”

“Yes, good idea, Elle.” Steve nodded, already picking up his knife and fork to dig in.

Greg narrowed his eyes, giving me a tight grin. “Fine. I’m not going anywhere.”

Fighting my shudder, I slithered from the booth. My heels tap-tapped over gray-veined marble as I left the busy restaurant and entered the cozy gin bar. Teak wood hung in noise absorbing panels from the black ceiling. Stools with polished chrome and padded leather lined up neatly by the long bar while clusters of comfy chairs encouraged secrets to be shared and pacts to be made in the dark.

The whiff of alcohol and cigar smoke lingered on every air-eddy. I had no idea how the Weeping Willow got around the non-smoking rule, but small plumes of silver escaped men’s lips as I made my way to the bar.

Specially positioned spotlights speared through the bottles on offer. All twenty-two hundred of them—according to the owner who bragged when he’d first opened the place. Alcohol glittered like fireflies, tempting a drinker to keep testing until they found their soul-mate in liquor.

I expected to find Dad nursing another glass of whiskey, staring broodingly into the amber liquid as he sometimes did when I acted out or he couldn’t shed the memory of Mom.

That wasn’t the case tonight.

I slammed to a stop.

He’s laughing with a complete stranger.

Dad sat on a bar stool with his feet tucked on the chrome foot-rest, a glass of whiskey (like I predicted) resting in his hands but forgotten. His face was alive, eyes unguarded and crinkled in mirth. I hadn’t seen him so animated in years.

It warmed me and worried me in equal measure.

I looked at the man he was with. The guy had his back to me, but the cut of his suit was impeccable; his body toned and slim, his hair dark and thick with lighter highlights that could’ve been graced by a hairdresser or natural.

From where I stood, a couple shielded me like a living wall, but I was close enough to hear my father say, “Well, that sounds fantastic. You really should meet her.”

Fantastic? What was fantastic?

I sucked in a breath as the stranger laughed. “It would be an honor to meet her. I’m sure she’s as wonderful as you describe.”

Are they talking about me?

The couple hiding me moved, leaving me exposed. I should walk forward and introduce myself. I should stop eavesdropping and act professionally. But something about the way my father and this stranger spoke sent my hackles bristling.

Staying behind milling people with an array of alcohol gripped in tight fingers, I slowly inched closer to the two men, straining with every step to hear.

“My daughter is very accomplished.” Dad’s tone billowed with pride. “But you sound rather successful yourself, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Problem?” The man took a sip of his drink. “I assure you, I’ve never had a problem with women before.”

Oh, the arrogance dripping from him.

Dad chuckled. “I wasn’t saying she’d be a problem. More like you shouldn’t find her power off-putting if you have success of your own.”

Oh, my God, what is he talking about?

Where had my father gone? When had he turned into this hearts-and-flowers romantic, trying to match me off to any man who passed his screwed-up interview?

He’s always been like that.

I hated that that was true.

The stranger nodded. “I can understand how a woman with a high corporate job and wealth can be terrifying to most.” He leaned forward. “However, I can assure you, that won’t be the case with me.”

He spoke as if my father had handed me over to be bedded and wedded.

My teeth ground together as Dad said, “I must admit, I haven’t heard of you before. Are you new to New York?”

The man swirled the liquid in his glass. “Yes. Arrived a few months ago. Unfortunately, my benefactor was not well, and we needed treatment that was only available here as a trial.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

My hands balled as my father gave this total stranger such sympathy. “And you’re single then? You’re planning on staying in town?”

Holy crap, the embarrassment level just erupted into volcanic proportions.

“I am. Customarily, I don’t date. But now my benefactor is on the mend, I can indulge in playing the field.”

Indulge? Play the field? My hands curled with indignation. Who was this man?

“My daughter isn’t a conquest, Mr. Everett. If I do introduce you, you must give me your word you won’t use her.”

This had gone on long enough. I had to do something. Namely, throw my drink into Mr. Everett’s face.

“Believe me. I have no doubt one look at your daughter, and I’ll be quite happy to be monogamous until she gets to know me.” The man raised his glass again, giving me a side profile glimpse of elegant cheekbones and handsome jaw.

I stiffened. He spoke as if I was a sure thing. That he could make me fall for him just by being alive.

I wanted to kill him.

But then I wanted to kill my father more as he smiled. “I’m sure you’ll like Elle. She’s beautiful and insanely intelligent.”

Mr. Everett chuckled. “I’m fairly sure I can make your daughter like me in return. I have a knack, you see.”

“A knack?” My father’s face tightened, noting the cocky confidence of this man he was trying to marry his daughter to. “What sort of knack?”