's Pers

, and I pulled it ajar, blo

ou should show up when you

und in the doorway. "It's nine in the morning; it's

father wants to see you; he's

was it, at four

ng me a pointed

ed blankly, maint

s I say, a

should I

enefit," sh

"Good thing you'r

to pat my cheek. "You've been gone for nearly eight months, and now y

at her. "Fine. I'll drop by his little

ll listen to me aft

did raise me." I stepped aside and

nside, but I said what I came to say, ki

ed, nodding once, sup

hall and I shut the front doors to the penthouse, hearin

ew York for five hours and

and most importantly, away from my father. I flipped the coffee machine on and dropped a shot of espresso in it, pressing the buttons for the larg

amiliar voic

the walk-in closet and placing my phone on speaker, on top

e you stayin

how much you've missed me," I s

ed in re

ming tonigh

tle party has nothi

the agent he used to b

cease to forget a man named Mason Castro exists. Not just

e man they caught eavesdropping, pr

t of my league and I'd like to keep it th

this, I'm unaware of it. And not

l give you a nice warm welcome," he snickered, "even the

chen downstairs to get my coffee. By the time I was finished with that litt

taurant infamous to New York's corrupted underworld society. People had most meetings there, if

men I had worked with or against in the past, exiting the restaurant after brunch. Once I was inside, I headed straight to

New York, no matter how long it was, was always that way. Bothersome, exhausting, and frustrating. With one too many rules to f

to being anything but ethical and moral; I was all fifty shades of immoral from the inside out. I was in no world of bringi

, I'm

eyes met my father's. I nodded to th

a look around. "Welcome back t

ied, going back to sorting my e

hold of you since

you had to send Tara to tell

han you do me. How was Ro

hat you're asking," I answe

te

my thumb traced my jaw. "Confidentiality is the key to staying al

in defeat. "Fair enough. Keep your myster

my j

ou sa

get on my nerves and called a

," my fath

odded in understanding, "I'll be right back with tho

s not just for a party you're hosting," I said, putting

ee my son more than a few

t happen. I have work to do

ound before clearing his thr

our two

er as he glared at the kid and

iter, "we'll let you know

thing,

hin," I noted, opening the m

you for

'm surprised you still

efa

lipping throu

seri

ge of the page with my f

o Del

him and the people he owes are starting to come after him

ed in su

ey tend to need my help so often," I

r him to t

ing," I replied,

to pay you fif

And is that where his neg

esponded, lift

. No deal if you'll pla

ssenger. He'll b

e there. The fried rice and chil

he waiter again. I placed my order and handed him

back facing me while a little kid sprinted over to her, blond curls bouncing over his eyes as he

he woman who trailed behind that boy, her blonde hair

ouldn't see, I now had a pret

ell I want nothin