Page 14 of The Girlfriend Card (Vegas Sin #4)

Screwed

Ottavia

N othing felt real as Dakota’s car rolled along the familiar path to the house I’d called home for most of my life.

Memories, etched into every corner of the property, flashed before my eyes, blending with the present in a disorienting blur, as if two separate worlds had merged.

I felt trapped in a bad dream I couldn’t wake from.

And just like in a nightmare, I couldn’t move or speak—all I could do was watch helplessly as the scenery passed by.

But this wasn’t a dream. This was real life.

And I should’ve known, I thought. Dakota was so tall, so athletic, and obviously had enough money, despite his age, that he could drive fancy sports cars and throw around tens of thousands of dollars for a ludicrous stunt like it was nothing.

Suddenly, I knew a lot more about Dakota’s situation. I’m not into sports, but even I’d heard the chatter about one of Dad’s hockey players being caught partying last week.

It all seemed so obvious in retrospect. I was kicking myself for not putting it together earlier. But I’d missed it, and now Dakota was set for a head-on collision with my dad.

Poor boy, I thought, sneaking a glance at the dashing boy in the handsome suit. Sure, he was too cocky for his own good, and yes, he’d gotten himself into a serious mess with a bunch of lies. But part of this mess was my fault for not being honest with him, too .

And now we were in this mess together.

Dakota pulled to a stop outside my house, and the throaty engine fell silent, mirroring the stillness that settled over me. It was time to face the inevitable. We needed a plan. Quick.

Okay, think, I told myself. He’s got to know the truth. It can’t wait any longer.

Dakota turned a ghastly shade of white when I broke the news. He looked ready to run—but running off wouldn’t do him any favors with Dad. On the other hand, I wasn’t ready to give up yet. But how could we pull this off with Dakota looking like he was ready to faint?

And that’s when it occurred to me—we could kill two birds with one stone. I could help Dakota get out of his crappy situation, and he could help me get out of mine. And the key to pulling it off convincingly laid in Dakota’s shock and surprise at my identity.

Don’t fight it; roll with it.

“Just follow my lead, okay?” I said to an understandably bewildered Dakota.

I hopped out first, but Dad didn’t notice me, because the Porsche stood between me and him. Plus, Dad didn’t care all that much about “Jane”—the person he wanted was Dakota.

Dakota popped his door open and staggered out, looking dazed.

“Hey, there he is! The party boy!” Dad approached him with a massive smirk. He grabbed Dakota’s hand and yanked him closer for a handshake and hug. “What’s the matter? You look all white.”

Dakota stammered, unable to speak—and Dad, drunk on his power to turn a grown man into a stuttering mess, was loving it.

“Are you nervous , kiddo? Sure, we got a few things to discuss tonight, heh heh … but don’t be nervous!” Dad made a fist and held it against Dakota’s jaw. “I won’t hurt ya.”

But his tone changed when he saw me walking around the rear of the Porsche, and his voice rose an octave. “ Ottavia? ”

“Hi, Dad,” I said, trying to mask the uncertainty in my voice. We greeted with a hug, but his embrace was hesitant as confusion swirled around us.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, quickly pulling away.

“We’re having dinner, aren’t we?” I stood next to Dakota and slipped my hand through his arm, a gesture of unity and support. And even though this was just part of the charade, I couldn’t deny how comforting Dakota’s arm felt around my back.

“Wh-… What? ” Dad’s eyes darted between the two of us, his mind reeling as it tried to make sense of this new reality. “Get the fuck out.” He stared at me, long and hard. “ You? You’re Jane? Is that what you’re telling me right now?”

I nodded. I could feel Dakota trying to pull away from me. I held him tight, my fingers digging into his muscled obliques, silently pleading with him to not give up on us yet.

Dad let out a sharp laugh and set his sights on Dakota. “So this is how you tell me you’re dating my daughter? Gotta hand it to you, kid. You got some fuckin’ balls on you.” His voice hit an intimidating rumble, and he stared daggers into the athlete. “Big … brassy … ten-pound fuckin’ balls .”

Spooked, Dakota held both hands up in surrender. “Mr. Capuano, sir, I swear—I can explain everything.”

I could tell he meant it, too. Dakota was ready to come clean, but that wouldn’t do himself any favors with my dad or the team.

“Explain why you’re rolling up to my house with my daughter on your arm? Yeah, I think you’d fuckin’ better.”

I tugged on Dakota’s elbow. Don’t do it!

Dakota drew a deep breath, but I spoke up before he could get out a word. “Dad, Dakota didn’t know.”

He turned his angry and impatient gaze on me. “Huh? Didn’t know what?”

“Who I really am. He didn’t even know my real name until literally just a few seconds ago.”

Dad glared at Dakota. “Is that true?”

“Yes, sir,” Dakota said, and I could tell he was relieved he could finally say something true. “If I had known Ottavia was your daughter … I never would’ve brought her here.” He vehemently shook his head. “Believe me. No way. Never .”

“I told him my name was Jane,” I said.

Dad’s brow furrowed. “But why would you do that, Ottavia?”

“Because I didn’t want it to change things between us,” I said. “Boys are so intimidated when they find out who I am. And since Dakota plays for the hockey team you own, I knew that’d be doubly so. I had to keep it a secret from him.”

Again, Dad’s eyes flicked between the two of us, nostrils flaring as if he could smell a rat.

“So how long have you been dating?” he asked, clearly unconvinced.

“Not long. A couple months,” I said.

“Uh-huh. A couple months. Okay, then, I’m curious.” Dad turned to Dakota. “What do you know about my daughter?”

Dakota glanced down at me. I could see the battle playing out behind his eyes—come clean, or keep the ruse going?

Follow my lead! I begged him with my eyes.

“She’s studying theater at Stanford,” he began uncertainly. “She wants to be an actress.”

“Uh-huh. And did you know she’s a billionaire casino hotel heiress?”

“ What the fuck, ” Dakota murmured beneath his breath, apparently still coming to terms with that fact. “No, sir. Not until a minute ago.”

“And did she tell you she’s already spoken for?”

“Da~d!” I yelped in protest.

“I did not, sir,” Dakota said, and tried once again to step away from me—but I clung on tighter than ever and refused to let him go.

“I am not spoken for! My dad’s just trying to scare you off. Don’t fall for it.”

“Tell you what; Dakota, why don’t you go inside and have a drink?” Dad clapped Dakota on the back and sent him into the mansion. “I need to have a talk with my daughter.”

Once Dakota disappeared inside, Dad pulled me into the front courtyard. “What the fuck is really going on here, Ottavia?”

I shrugged. “Nothing. We’re dating, that’s all.”

“Bullshit. I don’t buy it. He looks scared to even stand next to you.”

“Because he’s scared of you. ” I rolled my eyes. “Why would we lie about dating each other?”

“I know why he would lie; because he’s full of shit and he got caught. What I don’t understand is why you would go along with it.”

“I’m not lying.”

“No? Seems like you lied to Dakota about who you really are.”

“Um, yeah, because I had to. If he knew my real name, he’d look me up.

And then he’d see that not only am I your daughter, but I’m also connected to Leo.

That’s enough to send most boys running for the hills.

What do you think Dakota, who plays for your hockey team, would’ve done?

” I pouted. “I really like him, Dad. I don’t want him to run. ”

“So you waited to tell him until the very moment he pulls up to our house? Hell of a time to drop something like that on somebody, don’t you think?”

I nodded. “Yes, but I didn’t know what else to do. I kept trying to get out of coming to dinner, but he wouldn’t let me. He said I had to come along, or his career would be ruined or something.”

“Hm.” Dad’s gaze bore into me, his eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and disappointment. I could sense his turmoil as he considered what I was telling him. “I don’t even know which is worse—if you’re lying to me, or if you’re telling the truth.”

I tutted. “Daddy, please. I like him. Why is that so bad?”

“Don’t you ‘Daddy’ me,” he said sternly. “A pro hockey player? Really?! Do you have any idea what you’re risking here?”

“What risk? We like each other. I don’t see any risk.”

He lowered his voice. “I’m talking about the risk to your future with Leopold.”

I shrugged. “You don’t think Leo sleeps around? Because he does, Dad; I know it for a fact.”

“Is that what this is about? You’re jealous? You think Leo’s spending too much time with the other girls and not enough with you?”

I chuckled. “Jealous? I don’t even want his attention like that. He’s just my friend.”

But Dad wasn’t listening. “I’ll tell you this much: going forward, you’d better be a lot more careful about being out and about with other men.

If you’re spotted out in public with a pro athlete, that could be it for you and Leo.

And I’m warning you now—that would be very bad.

Not just for you, but for the whole family. ”

“I am careful, Dad. Why do you think Dakota thought my name was Jane?”

“I’m serious, Ottavia. What you do in private is between you and Leo—but your marriage represents a union between our families. Please don’t do anything that would damage that union.”

I sighed. “But what about what I want? What if I want a man who actually loves me and is loyal?”

Dad placed a hand on my shoulder, and his tone softened as he tried to impart his paternal wisdom.

“Sweetheart, I understand your desires. And I want you to be happy; I really do. But sometimes we have to make choices for the greater good of our entire family. I know it may not seem fair, but life isn’t always fair. ”

“All I want is to be like everyone else, and be free to marry someone that I actually love. Why is that such a crime in this family?”

“It’s not a crime, but our situation is different; we have interests to protect,” he said.

“And love alone cannot sustain a marriage. A successful marriage is based on shared values, goals, and a deep understanding of one another’s backgrounds.

And that’s what will truly ensure your long-term happiness and security.

Now, Leo may not be as exciting as a famous pro athlete, but he does come from a similar background.

He understands our way of life. Our responsibilities.

And that connection, that understanding, is invaluable in a marriage.

” He pinched my cheek. “Now, no one ever said you can’t have others; that’s between you and Leo, of course.

But please, Ottavia, be smart about it. And that boy you brought here?

” He made a dismissive gesture towards the house.

“That’s not smart. He’s not smart. He’s a loser. ”

“Da~d.” I groaned. “I’m not breaking up with him.”

“We’ll see about that,” Dad sang, as if he knew something I didn’t. “Now let’s head in. I gotta grill this punk and show you what a loser he really is.” He hung his arm around my shoulder and walked me out of the courtyard. “So I’m curious—how did Dakota and ‘Jane’ meet, anyway?”

I giggled. “Nice try. I know exactly what you’re doing, Dad.”

“What I’m doing?” he repeated, his words laced with too much confusion to be authentic. “What do you mean, Ottavia?”

“You’re going to ask Dakota the same question later. And if our answers don’t match up, you’ll take that as proof that we’re lying.”

“Okay, smartie pants. Maybe I am doing something.” Dad flashed a grin at me. “But then again, if you two are telling the truth, you shouldn’t have anything to hide, and your answers will be the same.”

“If we were lying, don’t you think we would’ve worked out our story in advance?”

“Maybe. Maybe not,” he said. “Maybe you two just met and you haven’t had the time?”

I laughed. “Even if we just met, it’s a thirty-minute drive out here from the city. That’s plenty of time to talk and get our stories straight.”

“That’s nice and all, but you’re still not giving me an answer.”

I sighed. “Fine. You really want to know how we met?”

“Yes, honey, I would love to know.”

“Okay, but you’ll regret it,” I warned as we made our way up the steps and to the front door. “We met at a bar. I thought he was the tallest, sexiest, most handsome man I’d ever seen in my life.”

Dad was practically squirming already.

“He struck up a conversation with me. An hour or so later, he took me home, and my clothes were off before he even got me to his bedr—”

“OH!” Dad yelled, clamping his hands on his ears.

I kept talking. “To tell you the truth, I think Dakota thought we were going to be a one-night kind of thing. But after the night we had together? I was not going to let him get away that easily. Oh no.”

“Okay, okay!” Dad pleaded with me to stop as he held the front door open for me. “Enough!”

And that’s why our stories won’t add up,” I said with a sly grin. “Dakota’s a sweet boy, so he’d probably tell you we met through mutual friends, or at a party or some such.”

“Forget it! I’m sorry I asked,” he said as he followed me into the house.

On one hand? I was pretty sure Dad believed me about Dakota, so I’d saved his ass.

On the other hand? My ass was just as screwed as it ever was …