He whispers sex life like it’s a dirty word, which makes me laugh. But he’s right. Even as a dad, he never shied away from anything, especially not like my friends who had moms to go to about that stuff. Dad was on the ball, always.

He had a basket of pads and tampons in the bathroom for me well before I started, and yep, he taught me how to use them. I don’t know how he knew, and I was too red-faced and dumbstruck to ask at the time, but he learned so he could teach me. Same when he bought me condoms along with a mini fridge for college. He never questioned it, just sent a fresh box with every care package. Real-life practicality went hand in hand with the bigger life lessons with him.

He’s the absolute best. And I’m still not ready to discuss my boyfriend eating me out. Just a hard no on that conversational front, always will be.

“Oh, by the way . . . that lesson on saying no and being safe?”

Dad’s brow raises. “I thought you said Colton didn’t take advantage? Do I need to have Billy and Ricky have a talk with him? They’d definitely be onboard for that.” Dad punches the air a little like he’s shadowboxing.

I chuckle, knowing he would if I gave the slightest indication that Colton had overstepped. “No, not that. I met Colton’s sister in London. Her name’s Lizzie, and she was having a particular problem with a neighbor boy. I taught her the same skills you taught me. Worked like a charm.”

I grin proudly, both of myself for sharing the lesson and of Lizzie for being the brave badass to actually do it.

Dad beams, proud of himself too. “Well, you tell Lizzie that if she has any more problems, I’m sure Billy and Ricky would love a trip oversees to handle some business.”

“Sure thing, Dad. Will do.”

Chapter 32

Colton

Heading into the office, my gut is tight. Not nerves, exactly, but resolution. Today is going to be an utter destruction of everything I’ve built professionally. I will have to stand tall under curious gazes, hold my tongue as sharp barbs are volleyed my way, and most importantly, not let my temper control my fists.

That’s my biggest concern as I enter the lobby and see Billy and Ricky waiting for me. Billy is keeping watch on the door from one of the sleek leather couches, and Ricky is chatting up Miranda. She doesn’t even pretend to get to work as I come in. My power is that depleted.

Actually, perhaps she’s just that engaged with Ricky? Her eyes are sparkling and locked on his like laser beams, and her body is leaning dangerously close to him. Even from across the room, their chemistry is explosive. Not exactly workplace appropriate, but I’m certainly not one to disavow workplace relationships, now am I?

“This way, Wolfe. Daniel’s waiting to see you.” Billy’s order is only slightly softened by the Vanna White arm gesture as the lift doors open. If I wasn’t certain my odds of surviving the trip up a couple of floors were fifty-fifty at best, it might even seem kind. But then again, he just maneuvered me to the back of the square cage and strategically placed him and Ricky in front of the doors. There was definitely no kindness intended in his moves.

We ride up silently, or at least I’m silent. Billy and Ricky are virtually screaming at me, but only with their eyes and popping knuckles. I hear them loud and clear, though.

Billy does the same arm trick at Daniel’s door, though I go in willingly. I’m not an arse who will run from this. He’s a protective father, and I’ve made his daughter front-page tabloid news. He’s got the right to rip me a new one. Billy closes the door, and Daniel, who’s been staring out the window overlooking the canyon, turns to face me.

“Colton. Sit.”

“Daniel.” I should stop there. If we were on equal footing, I would, so that he would throw the first pitch and I could adjust from there. I’m willing to give him the advantage this time, though. For Elle. For us.

So I don’t stop. “I am sorry, truly sorry, for the pain and embarrassment I have caused Elle. I never meant for anything like that to happen.”

From behind me, I hear a snort and can’t help but turn around. Ricky’s eyebrow, just one of them, is raised nearly to his hairline in question. You sure about that, bucko? that brow says.

To Daniel, I explain carefully. “Obviously, we both meant for certain things to happen. I meant that I didn’t intend for the entire globe to be included in our private matters.”

Daniel waves his hands. “Stop. I’ve already talked to Elle about that part. And I don’t want to talk about my little girl’s ‘private matters’ ever again.”

Thank fuckin’ God. Because it’s not something I want to discuss with her father, either. But there are other things . . . “If things were different, I’d be coming to you man-to-man for your blessing—” Three growls sound out around me. “But understandably, now does not seem to be the time.”

That seems to settle them, but only slightly. “What is it the time for, then?” Daniel bites out.

A hard question, one I don’t have the best answer to.

“All I know is that I love Elle and want to be with her.” Blunt, brutal truth is all I can offer.

“Be honest, just you and me,” he says, forcing out every word. “Did you use my daughter to hurt me?”

I try to find the right words and hesitantly explain. “I knew when I found out her name that having her with me would gum up your mental gears. I didn’t plan on using her as anything beyond that, though. She was to be a distraction for you, simply by her presence on my team, and I was bluntly upfront about that. Did you intend for her to sabotage me?”

Daniel reluctantly nods. “Not to harm you, but I did ask her to give me some inside info if she heard anything, an early scoop so that I could counter you if need be.”

“I see.”

The silence stretches out, but Daniel doesn’t relax. He turns back around to the window, looking out at the fog surrounding the building for a moment, then turns back. “Do you care for her? Truly?”

“With all my heart.”

He grunts, but I think I see the tiniest softening of his jaw. I choose to take it as a hopeful sign. “Does this mean you’ll be coming to Tennessee with us?”

“Yeah, one big, happy family.” I turn behind me, not sure if Billy or Ricky made the comment. Their blank expressions give zero clues.

I stand and offer my hand to Daniel. “I haven’t lost the HQ2 proposal race yet.”

His grip is hard, a punishment for so many things. “I’m going to destroy you. May the best man win.”

Even though I’ve been on the board for a few years now, the boardroom has an intimidating feeling to me. Part of it is that with its sterile glass table, brushed steel chairs, and white walls, I feel like I’ve just stepped into some science fiction medical exam room. The other part is the overwhelming sense of power within these walls. While the room might feel modern, the suits sitting around the table are old-school, strategic, power-hungry types. It’s not a dig. I’m one of them myself.

Except today, that power has all been stripped from me. Perhaps not formally, not yet. And I was talking a big game with Daniel, but there’s no escaping this. I overplayed, both with the HQ2 site and with my behaviors that have painted Fox unfavorably, not just in the UK but in the US. Seems tabloids are gossipy about the royals the world over.