Math wasn’t her strong suit, but it didn’t take long to realize she’d need to make a whole lot more than the average person’s salary to support herself the way her daddy did. However, she could probably survive on sixty to eighty thousand a year — assuming she could keep her car, clothes, and shoes. Makeup was a problem. Did she dare try the common brands?
So many things she’d taken for granted. She knew her hair appointments cost over six hundred dollars because she’d had to do the math for the tip. She hadn’t even considered the cost, before.
The big question of the day was what constituted an adult decision. On the one hand, doing her father’s bidding for a few more months to get her fifty-million-dollar trust fund seemed a no-brainer when it came to being responsible. However, she acknowledged that perhaps telling her father to go fuck himself while she got a job and figured out how to support herself might be the actual grown-up thing to do.
Other people made a life for themselves without private school, college paid for, and a trust fund. Why couldn’t she?
Iris knew her father could see where her cellphone was through the wireless company. She figured he could see into her dorm room, though she didn’t know for sure. Probably not her bathroom, though. Right?
Danny had given her a USB thumb drive, and he’d told her if she plugged it into her laptop and then booted it, the thumb drive would be the OS. Even if her dad had a program on her laptop reporting back to him, it wouldn’t work if she booted from the thumb drive. She unplugged her laptop and went to the bathroom.
She followed Danny’s instructions, and when her computer booted, she looked at the password screen and tried to remember what he’d told her. Their names, intertwined. She typed in IDrainsny_BMlcuGeybveerrry, and breathed a sigh of relief when it worked. He assured her it would take years for the best hacker money could buy to get past his encryption.
The computer booted to a screen with an option for a web browser, video chat, or text chat. He’d told her to use this computer to search for anything she didn’t want her father to know about. In retrospect, she should’ve used it for her budget research, but it was too late to go back and change it.
She shook her head and researched the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club. The first search results showed a bunch of charity events, and then there was footage from a police bust, where they apparently expected to confiscate illegal shit, but it was a shipment of stuffed animals and toys for the local women and children’s shelters, and the cops got egg on their face. Something told Iris there was a lot more to the story.
However, it told her Danny’s club brought in enough money to buy fancy houses and cars, and to fund some expensive charities. Did they do that with a bike shop, a restaurant, a gun store, some laundromats, and a martial arts studio? There almost had to be some illegal activity, but what were they doing? Drugs? Guns? Something else?
She needed to know more before she could make an informed decision.
She turned the television in her bedroom on a little louder than usual, and played music on her phone. She put headphones on so if someone was listening, they’d only hear her side of the conversation, and she pressed the thumb drive’s option for a video call.
Danny’s face was there almost instantly.
“I’m glad you called. Harmony said you got hit with a lot at once. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I mean, she’s right, I need time to think, but I’m home and safe. Look, can you give me some time to work through some stuff? A week or two? At first glance, it seems my options are to tell you I’m glad you’re doing okay and I’ll talk to you again in June, or to tell my dad to go fuck himself, and then start doing stuff on social media — videos and such, where I talk about the fact that if I don’t make a video every day saying I’m still in school and doing well, it means my father has taken me prisoner and shut me off from the internet again. I can get some celebrities talking about it so I’ll have a half million views in a couple of days. I used to tweet, and I had a huge audience, until my dad made me shut it down. I can do it again, but it’ll mean I have to figure out how to support myself. It’s possible ads on social media would do it, but…” she shrugged. “I need to be certain of my next step before I take it.”
“I hope you can find something between the two. I’m willing to dress in a suit and tie and meet your dad on his terms. I’m not that kid anymore. I can handle him. I hope I’ve shown you a little of who I am, and who my new family is.”
“I know you think you can handle him, but you have no idea how far his reach goes. My biggest fear is that he’ll realize he can’t control me, so he’ll take you out of my reach by landing you in prison. I have a feeling all your income isn’t legit, and he always finds and exploits his enemies’ weak spots.”
“Just as you’re working through how to manufacture a situation where he can’t abscond with you again, I have a plan for how to keep him out of the club’s business, should it come to it. Please trust that I can take care of myself. If you want me to take care of you, I can do that as well, but something tells me you want to stand on your own two feet. Just know that if you need me, I’m here. We have safehouses where we can hide you away indefinitely, if needed, or you can move in with me in a very public way. However you want to do this, I’m here.” He sighed. “Or, I’ll stay out of it until June, if that’s your decision, but I really hope it won’t be.”
Chapter 8
Tuesday evening, Iris dressed in black leggings with laces up the sides, a snug little blue, lavender, pink, and black shirt with a corseted back, and sky-high black heels. She put her thin wallet with four credit cards and her room key into the hidden pocket in the leggings, her phone in the other pocket, and walked the two blocks to the restaurant.
She was surprised to see Harmony with another woman, but she tried not to let it show.
“Iris, this is Sophia — Aaron Drake’s wife. Jonathan’s watching from a distance, but we can bring him in long enough to verify, if you need it.”
Iris shook her head. “There’s no reason for you to lie.” She offered her hand to Sophia. “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for taking the time out of what must be a busy schedule.”
Sophia hugged her instead of shaking her hand. “It feels a little like we’re kindred spirits. I escaped my father, and it took some time, but I now have a decent relationship with him, and I’d love to help you walk through this minefield so you can say the same.” She looked down and back up. “There was a dark period, where we didn’t talk, and it felt as if we were enemies. It was bad, but we came through it. I’m my own person now, and he respects that. I think it still kills him that he can’t control me anymore, but I’d like to think he’s also proud of the fact I can hold my own.”
They all took a seat around the table, with Harmony beside Iris, and Sophia across from them.
“It feels like the responsible thing to do would be to keep doing his bidding until the trust fund is under my control, and then tell him to take a hike, but it feels a little like selling out, and I’m not sure I like that feeling. Would the more adult thing be to tell him to take a hike now, even if it means I have to figure out how to support myself?” Iris shrugged. “I wish there was an option C.”
“Why can’t there be?”
“What do you mean?”
“Find an option C that lets your dad see you’ve grown up, and you appreciate the fact he’s made his choices out of his love for you, but you need to make some of your own choices now and you hope he can understand.”
Iris shook her head. “I can’t imagine how that might go.”
“Do you believe he loves you and he wants what he thinks is best for you?”
“Yes. Absolutely. He wants me in an office down the hall from him, helping him run the family business, but I just… it isn’t what I want out of life. How do I make him see that?”
“By working towards what you do want, and showing him you’ve grown up. Give him something else to be proud of. Instead o
f fighting him, work with him. I know you can’t do that once you bring McGyver into the picture, so give yourself some time with your dad, so he can see the twenty-four-year-old Iris. How long have you been hiding the real you, so he’d only see the Iris he wanted to see?”
“Years. Since it became apparent I can’t fight him and win.” She sighed. “Last year, I realized how close I am to twenty-five, and I finally buckled down with classes. I need my degree so I can gain control of my trust fund. I’ve been his perfect little Iris since….” Since her mother’s murder, but that was a disaster, too.
“I’m not telling you to stop trying to get along with him, I’m just suggesting perhaps you can show him a little more of your true self. Let him see who you’re growing up to be. Let him see you succeeding in your chosen field.”
“My mom wasn’t…” Iris shrugged. “I mean, I loved her, but she was known for her beauty, not her brains. Dad married her for her beauty and, I think, because she was so malleable. He wants me to be smart, so he freaked when I even considered the prospect of modeling. I have the contacts and the name, I’m pretty sure I could get modeling jobs if I wanted. It’s possible I don’t need the trust fund, but I really want to be behind the camera, not in front of it.”
“Then call up some of those contacts and arrange a photo shoot,” Harmony said. “Make it an event, maybe even do some of it live online. Hire models you know will be able to help create a fun video with sex appeal, and who’ll also look good in photos. Put it together without hiding. Be upfront with your dad that this is a business venture that’s important to you. Make a budget and a business plan, show him where your profits will come from, and let him see your excitement.”
“While I’m thinking of it,” Sophia said, “I need to tell you that there’s a bar called The Library — are you familiar with it?”
“Yes. Their stuffed mushrooms are decadent. Why?”
“A friend owns it. If you’re ever in trouble or in danger, you can go there and tell the bartender you’re my friend and you need refuge, and you’ll be protected. Doesn’t matter who’s after you, they’ll hide you away and keep you safe.”
Iris nodded, unsure of what to do with that information. Finally, she said, “Thanks. I appreciate all of your help and advice.”
Sophia rolled her eyes. “Okay, so maybe that offer sounded a bit strange, but just remember the wording. “I’m Sophia’s friend and I need refuge.”
Harmony, thankfully, changed the subject. “Mac said you had a big math test yesterday. How’d you do?”
Chapter 9
Iris stared at her phone while she debated whether to call her dad’s assistant first to check on his schedule, or just to call him.
She tried to think back to the last time she called him when she wasn’t asking for something, and couldn’t remember. That wasn’t good. She called his assistant and found out he had business meetings and calls scheduled nearly all day, every day for the rest of the week, and business dinners every day until Friday. His schedule was open after his business lunch meeting Friday until a charity event Saturday evening.
She thanked his assistant and texted her dad with a request for him to call her when he had five minutes to talk.
He must’ve excused himself from his meeting, because he called her three minutes later, even though his assistant had told her he was with someone.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m good, Daddy. I even made a ninety-two on a math test, and you can’t believe how hard I worked for that. I was wondering if we can spend some time together this weekend. I haven’t seen you since school started.”
“Yes, I’d like that. I’ll have the plane pick you up at the Chattanooga airport after your last class. I’m attending a gala Saturday night. I should be able to get another ticket without a problem, since I’m funding so much of the damned thing. Do you want to stay the weekend?”
“That’d be nice. Can you arrange for some riding time Saturday morning? Just the two of us? I talked to someone who owns a stable here, and I’d like to start riding again. I don’t have time to race competitively right now, but I miss spending time with horses.”
“I believe Nessie’s lease is up in a few months. I can send her up there if you want — and if you trust the stables up there to properly care for her.”
Well, that was a surprise. He’d taken her horse from her to punish her for a night with a stable hand, years ago. He’d leased her to a stable known for making horses into champions, and Nessie was doing well on the circuit. Was he was offering to give her back?
“Thanks, Daddy. I’d love to have my Nessie back. I’ve missed her.”
“It looks like your final class on Friday lets out at two?”
“Yes. If you’re free and you want to ride up on the plane, I’d love to show you a little of Chattanooga before we head home. We could take in the Aquarium, and there’s this great restaurant on the grounds of the Chattanooga Choo Choo.”
“Sounds like a pleasant evening. I’ll have my assistant work out a schedule. Shall I pick you up from your last class at two? We can get something light to eat and then take in the Aquarium and some of the sites, and do a formal dinner later?”
“Perfect. Make sure we have time to stop by my dorm to change before dinner. I can grab my bag while we’re there, too, so we won’t have to go back.”
McGyver was pleasantly surprised to see Iris’s face on his phone when it notified him of an incoming encrypted call. He was at the clubhouse, drinking and watching a game, and he answered it, told her to give him a sec, put his finger over the mic, the camera against his pant leg, and walked outside.
He stood so she’d see the trees behind him and told her, “Sorry about that. I’m glad you called. Everything okay?”
“Yes. I’m going to spend the weekend with my dad. It occurs to me I’ve only shown him the Iris he wants to see. I need to try to have a relationship with him, let him understand I’m a person and not just his daughter. Let him see I’m not a child anymore.”
“I hope it goes well for you. Harmony told me a little of what Sophia advised, and while I’m not sure it’s going to work the way you hope, I agree it’s worth trying.”
“I made a ninety-two on my math test, and I actually understood what the professor taught yesterday. Thanks so much for helping me. How’s your week going?”
“I have to admit, now that I know you’re so close, it’s hard to stay away. I mean, we’re just a few miles away from each other. You know?” He breathed out. “But I will.”
He could tell he wasn’t going to like what she said next just by the way the muscles around her eyes clenched.
“We’re going to a gala charity thing Saturday night, and there’s a decent chance my dad will try to set me up with some billionaire’s son. If you happen to see me dancing with someone on social media, please know nothing is going to happen. Okay?”
“We haven’t made any promises, Blue. I’m not sitting all alone every night, and I don’t expect you to keep yourself pure while you figure shit out, either. If I ever promise myself to you, I’ll never cheat, but that hasn’t happened.”
And there it was. His Iris was pissed.
“You’ve been with someone this week? This week!?”
“Three someones, if you must know. They don’t mean anything to me, but you have to know I’m not sitting alone while I wait for you to decide, right?”
“You asshole!”
He shrugged. “I don’t think so, but you aren’t the first to call me one, and probably won’t be the last. If and when you get ready for me, let me know. You’re important to me and I’ve always loved you, Blueberry, but you can’t string me along. I’m no one’s lap dog.”
“Fine. Whatever. Maybe I’ll have a night of sex with a billionaire after the gala then. Who knows?”
His wolf wanted to growl, but he grinned into his phone. “Just be safe while you’re having fun. I truly hope you have a nice weekend with your dad.”
&
nbsp; They talked a few more minutes before disconnecting, and he could tell Iris was still pissed, but she didn’t want him to know.
Angelica stepped into view once his phone was back in his pocket. He’d smelled her and knew she was close, but didn’t care if she heard.
“I’m not certain that was the way to go with her.”
McGyver shrugged. “Me either, but my wolf insisted we be honest with her. I’ve fucked three sweetbutts, trying to get my mind off her. Felt important she know.”
“At least have the decency to stay away from her roommate.”
“Yeah. I figured that part out for myself.”
Iris was so mad she couldn’t see straight. He’d screwed three people in five days? What the fuck? Part of her knew she had no right to be pissed, but she didn’t care. Three women? In five days?
And what was that comment about not being her lap dog? She’d never treated him like that. Ever!
It was true she’d treated nearly every other man she’d dated like one, but not Danny. Never Danny.
She rubbed her eyes and didn’t give a fuck about her makeup. Shit. The old Danny would’ve given her a few months, if she’d needed it.
But the grown-up Danny was different. Better, stronger, smarter. A man and no longer a boy.
She wanted that man, wanted to know what he’d be like in bed, over her. In her.
And now she had to imagine him with other women. Fuck.
She changed into workout clothes, took the stairs to the ground floor, ran the eight blocks to the gym, and then worked out until she didn’t give a flying fuck who Danny screwed.
Okay, so she still cared, but she didn’t have enough energy to care much.
And then she ran back to her dorm, but she took the elevator up.
Chapter 10
McGyver Page 5
