Chapter 4 - THE PRICE OF A FAMILY JOKE
Dominic did not threaten Ethan.
He didn't raise his voice.
He simply stood beside Audrey and waited while she collected her coat.
Somehow, that was worse.
Her father cleared his throat.
"Mr. Serrano, I don't believe we've met."
"Dominic."
Richard extended his hand.
Dominic shook it.
"Richard Palmer."
"I know."
Audrey closed her eyes.
Of course he did.
Her mother looked between them.
"Are you Audrey's boyfriend?"
Audrey opened her mouth.
Dominic answered first.
"No."
The word landed heavily.
Then he added, "But I would like to get to know her."
Audrey turned.
He looked at her.
Not possessively.
Not triumphantly.
Just honestly.
For some reason, that was more unsettling than anything else he'd done.
Victor cleared his throat.
"Dominic, perhaps we should discuss business."
Dominic didn't look at him.
"Not here."
Victor's smile tightened.
"We have unfinished matters."
"Yes."
Dominic finally turned.
"And they'll remain unfinished until my attorneys review your latest documents."
Victor went pale.
Audrey noticed.
So did Ethan.
"What documents?" Ethan asked.
Victor waved a hand.
"Nothing relevant."
Audrey looked at her brother.
"Ethan, please tell me you haven't transferred any money."
He hesitated.
Her stomach dropped.
"Ethan."
"Just the initial deposit."
"How much?"
He looked away.
Audrey felt cold.
"How much?"
"Two hundred thousand."
Their father stood.
"Two hundred thousand dollars?"
Ethan swallowed.
"It's an investment."
Audrey stared at him.
"Whose money?"
Silence.
Then her mother whispered, "Ethan?"
He looked toward Victor.
Victor said nothing.
Audrey's voice became very quiet.
"Whose money?"
Ethan finally answered.
"Part of Dad's retirement account."
Richard staggered backward into his chair.
Audrey closed her eyes.
There it was.
The real reason she'd been invited.
Not dinner.
Not family.
Money.
Ethan had wanted her to approve the deal.
To reassure their father.
To use her professional reputation as cover.
And when she'd asked questions, they'd called her difficult.
Dominic looked at Victor.
"You're done here."
Victor's expression hardened.
"You don't control me."
"No."
Dominic's voice remained calm.
"But the financial records will."
Victor stared.
Then reached for his folder.
Daniel stepped into the doorway.
Not blocking it.
Simply watching.
Victor gathered his papers and left.
Nobody spoke until the front door closed.
Then Richard looked at Audrey.
"Can you get the money back?"
Audrey stared at him.
Not I'm sorry.
Not You were right.
Just another problem for her to solve.
She looked at her father.
"I don't know."
His face fell.
She swallowed.
"And I'm not going to pretend I do."
Then she turned toward Dominic.
"Let's go."
Outside, rain fell across the driveway.
Dominic held an umbrella.
Audrey looked at him.
"You carry an umbrella?"
"Daniel does."
"Of course."
He smiled faintly.
They walked toward the waiting car.
At the door, Audrey stopped.
"Dominic."
"Yes?"
"Why did you come?"
He hesitated.
Then answered.
"Because I knew Victor Hale was at your family's dinner."
"That's not the whole answer."
"No."
She waited.
Dominic looked at her.
"Because I wanted to see you again."
Audrey stared.
Then smiled faintly.
"That was a terrible way to ask for a date."
"I've been told."
"Frequently?"
"Apparently."
May you like
She laughed.
And stepped into the car.
