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Then she dialed her dad’s number and lowered herself into one of the deck chairs. The mountain air swirled around her, and although it wasn’t cold, a chill touched the back of her neck as the line rang in her ear. Her nerves hiccupped, and the sensation had nothing to do with the wind or her father and everything to do with the G.I. Joe man inside.
“Hello?” her dad said gruffly.
“Hi, Dad,” she said, her tone a little terse. She was still annoyed he’d sent her off, but after being nearly killed twice, she couldn’t blame him. More or less she just hated the situations he always managed to put her in. Not to mention he’d tried to make her leave with Mark, as if she were just another one of his products and not his daughter.
Anger simmered at the back of her throat.
“Savannah,” he said brightly. Some of her frustration ebbed away. “I’m glad you called. I know you’re upset with me.”
“You mean for trying to get Mark to drag me out of your office?” she said dryly. “Why would that upset me?”
“Honey. I didn’t want to do that, believe me. But you wouldn’t go with Toth, and, well, you’re safer with him.” There was an edge to the statement that piqued her awareness.
“What do you mean?”
“He was in the Marines, for starters. Secondly, I can’t trust anyone inside Sinners Cartel right now. He’s an outsider, and that’s what we need.”
“So then why’d you almost send me with Mark?”
“Because I knew you’d go with Toth over him. I didn’t expect Toth to break his arm. That was unfortunate.” His words held no hint of regret.
Savannah pushed away the irritation buzzing inside her. He’d manipulated her and Toth, but that was just who her father was. He wouldn’t even see it that way if she pointed it out. He believed he acted for everyone’s own good and usually had little to no remorse for how his choices affected people, including her.
She sighed. “Well, I just wanted you to know I’m okay. We’re somewhere safe. I’m eager to come home Wednesday.”
Silence stretched. “Sweetheart, I don’t know if I’ll have everything taken care of by then. I promise I’ll do my best.”
Fury flashed in her vision. “I have to go.” She hung up and set the phone down next to her.
He’d never stop controlling her. For once, she wanted to be in charge of her own life. While she had her own apartment and business, none of that mattered when her father could interrupt her freedom at any given time. And working for him was a must. He wouldn’t allow her to quit, and if she tried, he’d probably force her to live under his roof, where he could keep her under his thumb.
She wrapped her arms around her midsection. She’d have to sell her apartment and run away. But even if she did all that, he’d find her... and figure out a way to keep her under his control. While attending college, she’d lived with friends off campus and later learned that her father had bought the house they were renting and paid her friends’ rent. They’d thought him some kind of hero, but she knew the truth—he was as ruthless as they came, and he’d stop at nothing to ensure he always sat in the driver’s seat. She wouldn’t be surprised if he’d set up Jace to date her.
Oh my god.
She pressed the tips of her fingers over her eyes. Of course he had. Had she really thought anything was spontaneous in her world? Even her meeting Toth washisdoing. Everything was by Danny Carrington’s design.
Nausea rushed from her stomach to her throat. She forced down the tsunami of tears that wanted to pull her into an abyss.
She was stuck.
***
Toth propped hisfeet on the coffee table. He stared at the fire. Alone. Savannah had gone to bed early. After speaking with her dad, she’d been withdrawn and sullen. They’d had steak for dinner, and for this meal, he’d kept the conversation mild.
But shit. He wanted her to confide in him more. She’d boarded herself up again and it bugged the hell out of him. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out. A text from Rami.
Any luck?
Toth heaved a sigh. All afternoon, he’d played with the idea of calling Nash. Part of him urged him to just do it, but he’d already been rejected. He wasn’t a lost puppy hoping people would take another chance on him. That said, Nash was their only in with Lionsgate. Rami’s request was valid. Surely Nash would see it as that, too.
Opening Nash’s contact, he hit call. The line rang in his ear and he cleared his throat.
“Yeah?” Nash asked, his voice guarded.
“Hey. It’s Toth.” He leaned forward as angst sizzled through his muscles. Unable to sit, he got to his feet. The warmth from the fireplace heated his bare chest as he hovered near the flames.
“Dude. Why’d you block your number?”