Impulse (Billionaire Secrets 5)

“So, what are your theories?” his dad asked.

“I still think the documentary crew is behind it,” he responded. “They have the most to gain from creating this kind of drama. Their first day of shooting is next week and the beefed-up security would just help their narrative.”

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“Sounds nuts if you ask me,” his father muttered.

Heather shook her head. “Simon has an antagonistic relationship with the press. He’ll always suspect them.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m wrong,” Simon said firmly. “Anyway, I sent a message to the security head and told him to keep this under wraps. If the documentary producers really are the ones behind this, keeping the news about that phone call to ourselves is the right play here. If we keep the call a secret, the producers won’t be able to talk about the call without exposing that they know about it somehow.”

“That makes sense,” she conceded. “Just remember that if we keep the call out of the press, you can’t go around and act like you’re angry with the producers over it.”

Simon shrugged. “It’s not like I have a particularly friendly relationship with them.”

“True, but you promised to give them a chance,” she reminded him.

He sighed again. “I did. And I do stick to my promises.”

“I still think it’s a prank,” he father said. “Some yahoos hiding behind a computer screen.”

“Maybe, but I’m not taking any risks,” Simon said. “Which is why I’d rather you didn’t come to the board dinner next week, Dad.”

His father looked at him, taken aback. “Why? Because some crazy people made a phone call? I’m no coward, Simon. Besides, I want to see you on your big night.”

“I’m sure you do, but what if the threat is real?” Simon folded his arms. “I can’t put you in that kind of danger.”

“If you don’t want me there you can just say it, son,” his father said icily. “Say it instead of hiding behind this.” He threw his hands up in frustration, his narrowed gaze sliding to Heather. “Did she put you up to this? This sounds like something she would come up with.”

Simon held up his hands, doing his level best to keep the peace before this disagreement got out of control. “No, she didn’t. Yes, she thought that I needed to focus on protecting you, but she didn’t suggest it for selfish reasons. She’s concerned about your safety, Dad, and so am I.”

With a scowl his father said, “I know what this is about. You don’t want me around your fancy friends. You’re ashamed of me and you’re too chicken to say it to my face.”

Heather reached across the table and gently squeezed his father’s hand. “Of course that isn’t the reason. Simon wants you there. We all do.”

Deep down, he knew that wasn’t true. His father had practically invited himself, which Heather had definitely not approved of. If she could choose she’d rather his father didn’t come to the dinner at all, so he knew that she was trying to calm things for his benefit. She was doing this to help Simon, to take the heat off him, and knowing that made his chest tighten.

Despite her disapproval of his father, she was still trying to smooth things over.

As he watched her squeeze his father’s hand again, Simon marveled at how anyone could be so selfless. So focused on making his father comfortable. Maybe the death threats had started to put things in perspective for her.

There was still a chance that someone out there wanted to hurt his father, and that knowledge made an icy claw of fear slash across his heart. That was why he worried about his father coming to the dinner. The Dover building itself was well-secured, but the dinner was going to be held away from headquarters. Security was always tricky when Dover security moved off-site.

“You do?” his father finally asked, his eyes shining.

“We do,” Simon forced out. If he outright banned his father from coming, there was liable to be a major argument on his hands. “We’re just worried about your safety, that’s all.”

“So, I can come to the dinner?” his father asked.

Simon nodded, fighting back a grimace as anxiety knotted his gut. “Yes. I’ll get you a tux and everything. But we all have to do exactly what Dover security asks during the dinner. Is that clear?”

“Crystal clear. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior,” his father said enthusiastically. “You’ll see, Simon. You won’t regret it.”

Chapter 12

As she applied the finishing touches to her red lipstick, Heather sized herself up in the bathroom mirror. She had decided to wear her hair down for tonight’s dinner, allowing her long locks to cascade down one shoulder. Her long yellow dress billowed around her. The dress was a designer gown, but its simple, flirty elegance made her feel comfortable. Though the bright color wasn’t her usual style, she had loved how soft and feminine the butter-yellow had made her feel. Simon couldn’t get enough of it, which was an added bonus.

Satisfied with her makeup, she put the tube of lipstick in her glittery red clutch purse and stepped out of the bathroom and headed for the living room.