There weren’t many things that made me nervous. But sitting across from a man who’s looking at you like he knows you want to spread his daughter’s legs apart and eat her out, is definitely one of them. Especially, when the dude is packing a pistol.
He folded his hands together and tilted his head to the side. His expression suddenly turned serious. In fact, he looked pissed. “My daughter tells me you punched her in the eye.”
My heart started to pound faster. A long moment of silence passed as I just sat there speechless.
She what?
What in the ever-living fuck?
Then…Gia snorted. Tony looked at her, and they both busted out into laughter.
Am I being punked?
“I’m just kidding, son.” He wiped his eyes. “It was a joke.”
They were both assholes. My pulse finally calmed down.
Can’t believe I fell for that.
“He knows the truth about what happened,” she said.
I looked him dead in the face. “If I had been there to monitor things, she wouldn’t have gotten that black eye. I’m sorry she got hurt.”
He simply nodded.
“We were just talking about you before you walked in,” Gia said.
“Must have been why my ears were ringing.”
Tony turned to me. “I hear you gave Gia a job and that you make sure she’s safe in getting home at night. I never really loved the idea of her moving out there all alone and so far away from me when I have no choice but to be here for work. But you know Gia. She has a mind of her own, couldn’t be stopped. So, I really appreciate any help I can get in looking out for her.”
I felt like a fraud. My thoughts when it came to Gia were far from “safe.”
Nevertheless, I took credit. “No problem. It’s my pleasure.”
He brushed a piece of food off his navy uniform. “I raised my daughter to be smart and independent. But there’s only so much she can do to protect herself. I worry about her, particularly because she can be hotheaded like her dad. She can be minding her own business one minute and breaking up a bar fight the next.”
“Well, I can definitely agree with you on that one.” I chuckled. “Gia is definitely…spirited.”
Gia winked at me. She seemed to be enjoying this interaction, whereas I was watching the clock, rearing to leave.
The waitress set a glass of water and a steaming mug of coffee in front of me. I took a sip of the hot liquid.
Tony was just watching me and then caught me off guard when he said, “So…that being said…in all seriousness, what exactly are your intentions when it comes to my daughter?”
I nearly spit out my coffee.
A long moment of silence passed before they once again turned to each other and burst into laughter. These two were in cahoots—a couple of pranksters.
Tony cackled and pointed. “I loved the look on your face.”
“Don’t worry,” Gia said as she placed her hand on my forearm. “He knows you’re not interested in me and that you’re harmless, despite how dangerous you might look.” Leaning her shoulder against mine, she said, “Right, Rush? He has nothing to worry about?” She batted her eyelashes at me.
I swallowed. “That’s right.”
The better to eat you with, my dear,
Said the big bad wolf.
She addressed her father, “Rush says because he’s my boss, we can’t date.”
He took a sip of water then said, “Well, that’s smart, I suppose. Never hurts to keep things professional.”
I glared at Gia. “I completely agree.”
“Although, you’re probably kidding yourself,” Tony said. “I see the way you look at my daughter, and I’m not sure I like it, to be honest.”
My eyes narrowed.
Shit.
He must have sensed the worry on my face when he said, “Man, you’re gullible.”
He was fucking with me again. Gia and her dad were once again laughing at me. Two peas in a pod.
“You want to know the truth, son?”
I let out a long breath. “Sure…”
“I did my best to lead by example as far as my daughter is concerned, show her what a good, decent, hardworking man is like. I trust her judgment. So, if Gia feels that someone is worthy of her time and trust, then that’s enough for me, whether it’s a friend or more. Who she associates with…well, it’s not my decision to make anymore.”
I nodded once. “Alright…”
“Plus, I ran a full background check on you a little while ago as soon as she told me about you. Came up clear.” He grinned. “Heathcliff Rushmore. Interesting name.”
Thanks a fucking lot, Gia.
Gritting my teeth, I said, “It’s a family name.”
“Speaking of family...your father is Edward Vanderhaus…”
Hearing him mention that name made my skin crawl.
“I’m quite aware of that, yes. He’s my biological father, but he didn’t raise me.”
“I was on patrol once for a private event in the City that Vanderhaus booked. He’s kind of a dick. No offense.”