Page 87 of Word to the Wise

“Listen to the girl.” Dad grins, taking a step back, and the tension in the room is so thick I can barely breathe. “I’ve got to get going. But let me know if you change your mind. I was looking forward to expanding into California, but if you come back, I’ll reconsider. I’d even help you get the girl.”

He smiles like he actually thinks he’s doing me a favor. Really, he’s asking us to trade one evil for another.

I glance down at Reed, and she looks like someone stepped on her heart.

“That’s not going to happen.” I shake my head. “Enjoy your party.”

He nods, and we turn to leave.

“Mason.” Mom stops me, pulling me in for a final hug. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Mom. I’m here if you ever need me.”

She won’t. She’s been accepting my father’s faults for too long.

We make our way out of the suite, and my father is probably already moving on to his next meeting, and it’s for the better. At least this ride in the elevator doesn’t require security.

Reed is silent as we make our way through the casino floor again, not saying a word until we reach the door to the outside.

“I guess that was pointless.” She sighs.

“Not exactly.”

“Mason.” She stops, spinning me to face her. “You can’t seriously think that self-sacrifice is an option. I get your dad is the asshole of all assholes, but I’m not losing you because of him.”

“I hear you.” I brush her cheek, not missing that she said she didn’t want to lose me.

We came to Vegas to see if I could call my father’s bluff, and maybe a few months ago, it would have worked. I didn’t care about my own well-being, and I would have willingly gone down if it meant taking my father with me.

The plan was to threaten him, and for him to be scared and to listen. But I didn’t account for Reed.

Dad saw how she looked at me, and immediately sensed she is my weakness. My threat fell flat when he knows I won’t take him down if it hurts her.

I fucked up by bringing her with me, and I should regret it. But she’s in my arms and at my side. So I find it difficult.

“We’ll figure something else out, okay? At least he showed his hand.”

“What do you mean?”

“He doesn’t care about Carter. He’s just a means to an end. If things don’t work out, my dad will move on to protect his investments. He’s not our biggest problem.”

“Carter is.” She sighs.

“Yeah.” And from what my dad said, Carter won’t go down without a fight. “Sorry this didn’t work.”

“I’m not.” She shakes her head. “If I knew the whole plan hinged on you throwing yourself under the bus to get him to kill the deal, I’d have stopped you from coming here in the first place. Why would you do that?”

“Because I want you free of him, Reed. And you’re so close.”

She reaches up, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “I’m already free of him in all the ways that matter thanks to you.”

Leaning down, I brush the softest kiss against her lips.

“You’re too good to me,” she whispers.

“Nah, Sticks.” I brush her cheek with the back of my knuckles. “I’m the bare minimum of what you deserve.”

She smiles, the lights of Vegas brightening her cheeks.