My Dad's Rival

“Hey, sweetie. Did you stay out all last night? Must have been one hell of a party you ended up at. How was it? Did you find out anything interesting for me?”

I press my lips together, staring him down. He has no idea of the bombshell I’m about to hit him with. He has no idea what I’ve done that’s going to break his trust entirely.

I take a deep breath.

“Dad, maybe you should sit down with me.”

“Ooh, is it that juicy? Did you get some good information?” he asks eagerly, his eyes gleaming. And suddenly, my anger flares. Why is everything about the damn business when it comes to my dad? Doesn’t he realize that there are bigger things in life than money and trade?

“Dad, this isn’t about the little mission you sent me on. Sit down.”

He looks shocked at how firm I’m being, but he does as I ask. Feeling frustrated, I sit down opposite him, trying not to let my anger shine through again. I have to remain level-headed if I’m going to do this.

“Dad, the past few days, they’ve been…very strange for me. Unlike anything, I’ve ever experienced before. Ever since going to spy at Callaghan Industries, I’ve felt…well, everything. I’ve experienced frustration, fear, anger, anxiety, but it’s also been one of the best experiences of my life. And I know you’re not going to be happy about what I have to say, but I want you to put your feelings aside for one moment and listen to me…like, really listen to me.”

He frowns. “Well, sure. I can do that.”

I take a deep breath. This is it. I’ve got his attention. Now, I just need him to understand what he’s hearing. That’s the hard part.

I swallow.

“Dad, when I met Wyatt Callaghan, he wasn’t anything like you told me he was. He…he’s a good man. And from the moment I met him we had…we had a connection.”

I pause, letting my words sink in. I watch confusion and anger cross my dad’s features as he tries to process what I’m saying.

“What on earth are you trying to tell me?” he snaps. I swallow, my heart racing.

“I’m trying to tell you…that I’ve fallen in love with him. I’m sorry, dad. I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear, but I’m done spying. I’m done lying. It’s all true. I fell in love with your rival.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Wyatt

Even though Lucy asked me to stay outside, when I hear shouting coming from inside, I know I have to get in there. If Lucy is in trouble, then I have to be there to protect her. I throw the door open, rushing to her side. Her dad clocks me as I enter the kitchen and snarls at me like a wild animal.

“You,” he snaps. “Haven’t you done enough? After all these years of rivalry, you’ve really crossed the line. I knew you were capable of stealing my customers, my livelihood, but stealing my daughter from me? I could kill you.”

He’s about to launch himself at me when Lucy steps in between us both. “No, Dad. Don’t you dare,” she snaps right back. “You’re going to sit down and listen to me like a grown man. I won’t have you acting like a savage in front of Wyatt.”

“You don’t get to talk to me like that, young lady. Not after what you’ve done,” her father snarls, but he doesn’t try to go for me again. I put my hands in the air, showing that I come in peace.

“This doesn’t need to be violent,” I tell him. “I think you need to listen to your daughter and hear her out. You don’t understand what you’re seeing here.”

“Oh, I understand all too well. You knew immediately that she was my daughter, didn’t you? That’s when you decided to seduce her, make her fall for you. Your version of revenge right?” he snarls. “You wanted a way to dominate me once again, and you took it without a thought.”

“You’re wrong. I didn’t know until yesterday who she was. Not really. But she was honest with me because she grew tired of the lies. Lies you forced her into. I know you sent her in as a spy. So perhaps you should sit down and listen instead of continuing to be so bullheaded.”

Her dad looks lost for words. I hope he can see now that I’m actually making sense. He’s the one here who’s being unreasonable, who is causing all this trouble. The one that started all of this in the first place.

All we want to do is talk. Slowly, he takes a seat at his breakfast table and Lucy sits down too. I stand behind her chair, towering over her protectively with my hands on her shoulders for support. She reaches back to touch my hand and I know she’s glad that I came to her rescue. I guess she didn’t expect things to get out of hand so quickly, but I knew from the start this whole situation could blow up at any time. I’m just glad I got here in time before it could escalate. Now, I’ll be here to protect her from any fallout.