Ominous (Private 13)

“Because … if whoever is doing this is really after the Billings Girls, they won’t be able to stay away,” I said.

“Which is exactly why we’re canceling,” he replied, speaking slowly, as if I were somehow addled. My face burned and I looked to Noelle for help.

“But Daddy, if we have the party, we hold the home-field advantage,” she said. “We can draw them in and pounce.”

Someone in the corner cleared her throat. We all turned around to find Ginny, the head guard, raising a finger. “If I may say, sir, as a strategy … it’s not bad.”

“Using my daughters as bait is a good strategy?” he snapped.

My skin tingled uncomfortably. It was the first time he’d referred to me as his daughter. I reached back for Josh’s hand, and he stood up and hugged me instead.

“I don’t like it,” he said unhelpfully.

“Sorry, Hollis, but I don’t think you get a vote,” Noelle said over her shoulder.

“Yes, he does,” I said, my mouth half against his shirt.

He kissed the top of my head.

“Sir, I promise you that if you allow me to run the security for this event and to bring in the rest of my team, not only will no harm come to your family, but we’ll catch whoever’s doing this,” Ginny said, her voice low with emotion. “Let me do my job.”

Mr. Lange glanced at his mother. She gave the slightest of nods. He closed his eyes for a moment, pinching his forehead between his thumb and forefinger.

“Fine,” he said finally. He dropped the phone back into its cradle. “But I want to see all security plans at least twenty-four hours before the party begins.” Then he looked up at me and Noelle and wagged a finger between us. “And I’m not taking my eyes off the two of you the entire night.”

“Sounds like a blast,” Noelle said sarcastically.

Mr. Lange let out a sigh and looked down at his desk, shaking his head. “Is that it?” he asked finally. “Because I have a lot of calls to make.”

“Come on, you two. Somewhere in this house there’s some French toast with our names on it,” Noelle said to me and Josh, heading past us for the door.

“Actually, Reed, I’d appreciate it if you’d stay for a moment,” Mr. Lange said.

I looked up at Josh, gripping him even harder. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I’ll be right outside.”

I nodded and let him go. Mrs. Lange and Ginny left the room as well, closing the door behind them.

“Have a seat,” Mr. Lange said to me. He tapped the end of a pen atop his desk as he walked slowly around it. As I retook my place on the love seat, he sat down near the end of the couch again, kitty-corner from me. I pressed my legs together, clasped my hands atop them, and held my breath. He opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head and laughed.

“Wow. I normally don’t have any trouble making speeches,” he said.

“You don’t have to make a speech,” I blurted out. “I get it.”

Although I got nothing.

“And I’m sorry I didn’t call you back,” I said. “I was just …”

I trailed off. What was I supposed to say? I just wanted nothing to do with you?

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about that,” he said. He leaned forward with his forearms across his knees and pressed his fingertips together. “I’m sure you have a million questions. I just want you to know I have zero expectations here. As much as I’d like to get to know you, I can only imagine what you think of me, so I understand if you’d rather me just be the peripheral father of your best friend.”

The humble nature of his words was so unexpected, I was touched. The few times I’d been in Mr. Lange’s presence, he’d always been larger than life, in charge, and somewhat gruff. That he would soften so much for me had to mean something.

“Can I ask you a question?” I said.

“Yes. Anything.” He leaned forward, forearms on his knees, and touched all ten fingertips together.