Quarterback Keeper (Fall Lake Ballers #1)

Chapter Twenty-One

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

KYLIAN

I was furious Dad had stopped by the boat when he’d learned from Honeycutt that I’d been avoiding Melanie’s calls. I’d made no promises where she was concerned, and I resented what he was attempting. But for the time, all I could do about him insulting Gia was damage control.

After a quick shower and change into clothes I kept on the boat, I left Gia, who was sexy as hell and fast asleep. I had enough time to call for a ride, get to my condo, grab my laptop, and go to class. I didn’t like leaving her without a vehicle, and I tried to provide mine whenever possible. On the ride, I went through messages and emails, handling what I could until the driver pulled up along the curb in front of my building.

“Sir.” The doorman stopped me. “Your father left strict instructions to let you know the locks are being changed and the penthouse is no longer available to you.” George wiped a shaky hand along his forehead, pushing thinning brown hair to the side.

It was bullshit, but he didn’t know that. I weighed my options. Both Ares and Liam were in class and wouldn’t be any help. I could push my way past the doorman because my dad couldn’t change the locks or do anything to my condo. If he wanted to, he could make things very difficult for my roommates and me, since he’d bought the place before I had legal access to the trust from my grandfather. But I’d been paying the mortgage ever since I had access to the money. The ownership was supposed to change when I gained access to the trust, but I’d thought better of outright buying the condo—which had been the original plan—when Mom’s bills started rolling in. I’d taken over the payments, with my roommates contributing rent, but hadn’t bothered to refinance and transfer everything into my name.

I glanced at George’s immaculate suit and how tightly he clasped his hands. “My father is wrong in this.” I smiled to remove any perceived reprimand. It wasn’t George’s fight, and I could tell how much he hated being the bearer of this news. I could’ve gone in through the garage if I’d had my keycard. I didn’t. It was sitting in my SUV, which I’d left for Gia’s use. Is Dad having me followed? If so—and I wouldn’t put it past him—he would’ve been aware that I didn’t have my SUV and maybe the ability to access the garage.

I nodded at George, careful to keep my frustration from my voice. “I have class. Afterward, I’ll contact the office to update you and anyone else who needs to know that my dad can’t change the locks.”

It wouldn’t take much—a simple phone call from my lawyer to the building manager, which I would make immediately. It might take some time to update the staff, though. I left, since there was nothing more to do unless I wanted to waste time I didn’t have. Instead, I walked to class without my laptop. I had friends who could email me notes if needed. It was bright and sunny, already promising to be a warm day, but my thoughts were elsewhere.

My father was formidable, still a paper trail led to the trust and the condo’s monthly mortgage and association payments. That maneuver was just the start of what my dad planned to throw my way. I would have to figure out how to anticipate his game fast.

If he was having me watched and knew Gia was alone, that left her vulnerable. That’s his plan. Anger tore through me, and I whipped out my phone, opened my Uber app, and ordered a ride. There was one six minutes away. I could skip class for one day.

I used the time spent waiting for my ride to call my lawyer and get her on my condo problem. Even with one thing checked off my list, impatience continued to buzz under my sun-warmed skin.

When the car dropped me off at the harbor, I quickly spotted the dark sedan that my father favored. The marina wasn’t busy, so I hurried along the boardwalk and down the pier to my boat.

Water lapped at the sides of tethered vessels, masking any noise I made during my approach. Voices carried over the cries of seagulls and sound of rippling water. I recognized my dad’s and paused out of sight from where he stood, towering over Gia.

“I know your type”—condemnation layered Dad’s tone—“a gold digger who found the perfect target. Kylian’s connected. And when he gets into the NFL, which is a foregone conclusion, your life is set. It’s not going to happen. Here.” He must have shoved something at her.

I inched forward, taking care not to be spotted. I fought every nerve in my body telling me to go to her defense, to protect her. I forced myself to stay where I was, knowing I needed as much ammo as I could gain by listening and remaining out of sight.

“What’s this?”

“A check. Take it,” Dad growled. “Then disappear from Kylian’s life for good.”

“No.” Gia’s voice was clear, unwavering. “I’m engaged to your son. I don’t want your money.”

A bitter laugh carried from where they stood, facing one another. I had to see how far he would go, what he might reveal.

“Fine.” Dad reached into his suit, withdrew another check, and held it out to Gia. “This should seal the deal.”

Gia’s arms crossed over her chest, and her chin rose stubbornly. I couldn’t stop the grin from pulling at my mouth if I’d tried.

“That won’t change anything. Go ahead, keep upping the amount. It won’t matter. I don’t want your money, and I’m marrying Kylian.”

“That’s never going to happen.”

“Look, Mr. Wilder, I don’t know what type of relationship you two have, but I can promise you that once he hears about your attempt to pay me off, he’ll be furious.” Her head tilted, and I could picture her gorgeous blue eyes narrowed in challenge. “This”—she pointed at the check still in Dad’s hand—“is a surefire way to sever the relationship you should wish to have with your son. Now, if you don’t want me spilling about what you just tried to do, I suggest you stop pressuring him to help you in your political endeavors.”

“You’re knocked up, aren’t you?”

Gia said nothing.

“You manipulated then trapped him. When he wakes from your scam, he’ll leave you high and dry. I suggest you take the money now.”

“I’m not pregnant. But I do feel sorry for you. You have a wonderful son, and you seem determined to chip away at what you could have.”

“Kylian is cut off. He won’t be entitled to a dime of the Wilder money. I suggest you take what I offered, since that’s the most you’ll ever get out of him.”

As Gia shook her head, an idea about how I would play his game took life in mine.

“You underestimate your son.”

“No, I don’t. I see you for who you are, and I won’t let you ruin my chances in the election.”

“Please go. We have nothing more to discuss.”

That was my cue, and I made my way toward them. They turned as one when I climbed aboard.

I met my dad’s surprised gaze. “Nice job with the condo.” I didn’t let on that I’d heard what he’d just tried to do with Gia.

Dad grinned, but it didn’t meet his eyes. They remained cold, calculating. “If you like that, you’ll love what’ll happen with the shithole your mother lives in. And if that doesn’t convince you to get on board with the plan, you and your roommates will need to find other accommodations as well.”

I shrugged. He wouldn’t go that far, not if it might ruin his image, since reporters were well aware of our connection. “I bet Channel 6 will like it too. And so will the Honeycutts when they see it. They’ll love hearing that senatorial candidate and business tycoon Danbury Wilder kicked his ex-wife out of her home. Especially when they learn she has cancer.”

I stepped closer, enjoying the fury pinching his mouth and bracketing it with deep frown lines. I lowered my voice, delivering the threat with the precision of a dagger. “Stories like that have sticking power. They live on in people’s memories and paint a clear picture of what the asshole who’s bullying a dying woman is really like. Those headlines won’t go away. I promise that someone will continue to feed more to the press.” I had no doubt Mom had insulated herself, and probably me as well, from Dad’s threats, but that felt damn good to deliver.

Dad’s eyes narrowed, and he pointed a finger in my direction. “Meet me at the office in an hour, and we’ll discuss your betrayal.”

“That’s not going to happen. I have class”—that I’d missed—“then practice. And I expect to sleep in my bed tonight.”

“Don’t you dare threaten me. Tell the girl to find a new place to stay, or your mother will be put out before the news channel gets wind of what happened.”

He brushed past me, and I watched as he strode down the pier, got into his car, and drove away. The hatred I’d had for him before grew into something dark and unmanageable. My greatest concern was Mom and making sure he didn’t hurt her.

I turned back to Gia and gripped her shoulders. “I can’t let him get to Mom first. I need my keys for the SUV.”

Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She gave a clipped nod, wrenched her shoulders free, then pulled the keys from her pocket and dropped them into my hand. She turned, her long dark hair fanning as she raced down the stairs. I had to force myself to leave when she disappeared, though all I wanted to do was follow her.

As I hurried off the boat and down the pier, my thoughts warred over not reassuring Gia. I should have made my presence known and gotten between her and my father sooner. But I couldn’t focus on that until later. I had to make sure Mom was safe.