The Professor (Forbidden Encounters 1)
“I’m glad you kidnapped me tonight.”
A slow smile takes shape on his lips. “Me too.”
Chapter Fifteen
Bryce
I gaze at the sea of elegantly dressed people from the second floor balcony. Marshall manor is packed with the who’s who of Wyoming. They’re all dressed to the nines in designer dresses and tuxedos. My eyes dazzle from the amount of bling in the room. Everyone seems to be having a great time. Diana throws one hell of a party. She knows how to make Dad look good. The old man really should show her more appreciation.
I spot my stepmother in the throng of guests, working the room like a pro. Holly is in a secluded corner, arms folded, watching everyone with a scowl. She looks about done with the pomp and circumstance. I share her sentiment. Tugging at my tie, I let out a long sigh. Holly glances up in my direction. She shapes out a gun with her fingers and pretends to blow her brains out. Her eyes close and her tongue lolls. I chuckle at her antics. Yeah, the boredom is practically killing me too.
“Bryce.”
I turn at the sound of my father’s voice. Hopefully, he isn’t coming to lecture me about not mingling with the guests. His strides are long and confident? bordering on arrogant.
“Yeah, Dad?”
“Great crowd we have tonight, eh?”
I sigh quietly. “Sure. Great turnout.” I’ve been putting up with society parties since I was a kid. I’m sick of them at this point. But, family duty calls. The Marshalls mustn’t look anything less than unified and perfect in the public eye.
“I invited Chief Traverse.”
“Yeah, okay…” I don’t even have the energy to try to be interested. The Chief is a great guy. I respect the hell out of him but I can’t imagine what his presence here has to do with me.
“And his daughter.”
I look skyward and moan. “For christ’s sake, Dad. You’re still trying to play matchmaker?” He hadn’t mentioned anything about the Chief’s daughter in weeks, so I assumed he was over it.
“You two should talk. Get to know each other.”
“I’ve told you numerous times that I’m not interested.” Besides, I’m with her best friend. Talk about awkward. Abby and I have been seeing each secretly for weeks. I wish she were here right now, saving me from utter boredom. But no one can know we’re together. For a moment, I’m tempted to tell Dad because...to hell with what he thinks. However, his disapproval isn’t the only problem. Abby is still my student. And she’d kill me if I let the secret out.
“It doesn’t matter if you are or not,” Dad says.
“Excuse me? Considering that I’d be the one dating her, it matters a lot.”
Dad sighs, his brows drawing together. His gaze sweeps over the room and lowers his voice to a whisper. “Just do your old man a favor, boy. It’s time you took your duties as a Marshall seriously.”
It all becomes clear and I’m pissed. “You want me to date Kenton Traverse’s daughter, so you can have the Chief in your pocket?”
Fucking unbelievable.
Or maybe not so unbelievable. We are talking about Dad, here. He’ll do anything to stay on top. He’s wearing a disturbing smirk and he isn’t denying it. “We all have to do what we must. It’s full time you stopped fooling around with that teaching job of yours and do what we Marshall’s are good at.”
Gritting my teeth, I keep my temper in check. I have to remind myself not to make a scene that will end up in tomorrow’s paper. “Yeah? What’s that?”
“Running this town and eventually the state.”
“It’s all about power for you, isn’t it?”
He shrugs, grips the wooden banister and stares into the crowd as if assessing his kingdom. “What else is there to achieve but ultimate power, son?”
I gaze at him, disappointed by what he’s become. Perhaps he’s always been like this and I just didn’t notice. “I can think of many more important things,” I mutter.
Eyes almost identical to mine swing to me. “What was that?”
Blowing out a breath, I say, “Alright, if I meet the woman, will you get off my back?”