Dakota stood outside the door of Bradford’s Talent Agency, her father’s office, debating on whether to go in. After Hamilton dropped her off at the hotel the night before, she had called her dad, hoping he’d mention the incident from the other day. He hadn’t, only making her more concerned about his well-being.
They might not get along, but they were the only family each of them had, and it was time they worked on rebuilding their relationship.
Pushing open the thick wooden door to the office, Dakota stepped in and the first person she saw was Wesley’s long-time secretary. “Hey, stranger,” Dakota greeted.
Lynn beamed. “Oh, my goodness.” The grandmotherly woman with her gray hair in a tight bun at the back of her head, and stylishly dressed strutted around the desk. She pulled Dakota into a loving hug. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in months.”
“Oh, I’ve been around. I’ve missed you,” Dakota said, returning the woman’s hug.
“Are you still spending most of your time on the west coast? Your dad mentioned you had a few assignments out there.”
“Nope, I’ve been here for over a month. Just busy with a new project.” They caught up for a few minutes with Lynn filling Dakota in on the staff changes and the number of new clients Wesley had acquired. He went through more staff members than most people went through toothbrushes. Though he paid well, he wasn’t the easiest person to work for.
“Did Wes know you were coming?” Lynn reclaimed her seat behind the desk.
“No, it’s a surprise. I figured I’d swing by on my way to work and invite him to dinner later.” Dakota glanced at the numerous photos of her father’s clients. Mixed in among the familiar were several new faces.
“That’s lovely, dear. He’s been working so much. It would be good for him to do something fun. I know how much he misses you.”
She missed him too, but no matter how they tried, they just didn’t get along, especially lately. That’s why she kept her distance, only talking to and seeing him on occasion. Hopefully, they could change that negative dynamic.
“He’s meeting with someone right now but let me call him. He’ll probably be glad for the interrup—”
“Wes, you owe me!” A woman’s voice carried to the outer office. Dakota could only hear every couple of words, but whatever they were discussing was getting more heated.
“Who’s in there?” she asked Lynn.
“Zondra Monroe.”
Dakota rolled her eyes. Her nemesis. They’d started in the business around the same time and were often up for the same roles early on. That was when Wesley was Dakota’s agent, making her the victor each time.
The door swung open and Zondra stormed out, her long hair whipping around her face.
“And don’t come back until you get some talent!” Wesley yelled.
“Screw you! I can do better than you anyway!” Zondra screamed back and stumbled when she saw Dakota. Grabbing hold of the wall, she righted herself and acted as if nothing happened.
“Hello, Zondra.” Dakota struggled to keep a straight face.
Instead of responding, Zondra gave Dakota the finger and blasted out the door.
Lynn gasped. “I cannot believe a grown woman behaves like that. Each time she comes in here, they go at it like alley cats. Why does she keep coming back?”
That’s a good question, and what was Zondra talking about when she said he owed her?
Instead of voicing her thoughts to Lynn, Dakota said, “She probably wants the big bucks my dad demands for his clients.” Dakota strolled toward her father’s office and stopped in the doorway. “Hey, Dad. I see you’re still making enemies.”
Wesley startled. “Dee Dee, I didn’t know you were here.” He reached for something, and Dakota spotted the nine-millimeter on his desk.
Shocked, she hurried and closed the door. “A gun? Really?” He quickly shoved it into the desk drawer before standing. “Do you have a permit for that? Do you even know how to use a gun?”
“Yes, to both questions.” Wesley hugged her, and Dakota wrapped her arms around him. “What are you doing here?” he asked when they separated, and he returned to his seat.
Ignoring his question, Dakota dropped down into the chair in front of the desk. “What did Zondra want? She left out of here pretty steamed.”
He waved off the comment with a flick of his hand. “Don’t mind her. That girl has issues. I will never represent her. She’s too hard to work with.”
Dakota laughed. “Hard to work with? I’d think that would make you two a perfect fit. Do you think she’s behind the threats? Is that why you had the gun out?”
“Like I told you the other day, I don’t know who’s sending me those letters. Which is why I don’t want you running around town without a bodyguard. Hearing about that shooting at your building scared me to death. What if it had been you? If someone goes after you because of me, Dee Dee, I’d never forgive myself.”
Flashbacks of the shooting pierced Dakota’s mind. She no longer felt paralyzed by the memories, but only hours ago, she had to force herself to leave the hotel. Even then, she kept looking over her shoulder, scared someone would catch her off guard.
“I’ve been so worried about you,” her father continued. “I know you think you can take care of yourself, but it wouldn’t hurt to have security, just in case.”
“I already told you. There’s only one way I’ll agree to have someone follow me around.”
Wesley shot out of his chair. “Don’t start that mess. I don’t want you anywhere near that man!” he spat and turned to the window behind his desk. He stood rigid for a moment as if expecting her to argue. When she didn’t, he released a drawn-out sigh.
Dakota shook her head, deciding not to go there about Hamilton. “Dad, what happened to your security detail?”
Her father didn’t respond but then turned to her with narrowed eyes. “How do you know I hired security?”
Crap! Laz had told Hamilton, and Hamilton had mentioned it to her, but it wasn’t common knowledge. “I—I assumed since you stormed out of Supreme Security last week you would’ve found another company.”
He hesitated before saying, “I did, but it didn’t work out.”
“When are you going to stop alienating everyone you meet?”
“Why do you assume it was me who was the problem?” he asked indignantly, as if pissing people off wasn’t his M.O.
“Because I know you. It’s what you do.” She walked over to him. He seemed to have aged ten years since she’d seen him days ago. This situation was really weighing on him. “Dad, you know how you worry about me? Well, I worry about you, too. That’s why I came by, to make sure you’re doing okay.”
“You don’t have to worry about me, sweetheart. I carry protection and instead of a full-time bodyguard, I have a driver who has a military background.” Wesley placed his arm around her shoulder and kissed her on the forehead. “He’ll serve as security when I’m out in public or traveling. And now I want to make sure you’re taken care of. You should seriously consider getting—”
“How about dinner tonight? My treat,” Dakota interrupted, not wanting to argue. She pulled out of his hold. Now that she had spent time with Hamilton and saw how his team had come through for her, there was no way she would consider another agency outside of Supreme.
Wesley smiled for the first time since she had arrived. “I can’t remember the last time you and I had dinner together. I would love that, but you don’t have to treat. It’ll be nice to spend time with you.”
“It’ll be good to hang out with you, too,” she said. “I have to work this afternoon, but I can pick you up around—”
“There is no way in hell I’m letting you drive me anywhere.”
“Wh—”
“Dee Dee, you drive like a damn maniac.” He chuckled. “No. I’ll have my driver pick you up.”
“Fine, but where’s the fun in that?” Dakota joked but then turned serious. “Did you remember Mom’s birthday?”
“Of course.” He turned back to the window. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about your mother. I still miss her and wish I could go back all those years ago and do things differently.”
Dakota stood next to him, wishing she could have had more time with her. Her father used to talk about her often. Sharing stories of how they met and recalling funny tales of her mother’s shenanigans around the house. He often said Dakota reminded him of her, not just in looks, but also their personalities and need for adventure.
“She would’ve been pissed on how I’ve been living my life,” her father said, interrupting Dakota’s thoughts. “But she would’ve been so proud of the woman you’ve become.”
Dakota smiled at the thought, and they both turned at the knock on Wesley’s door before it swung open.
“Hey, why didn’t anyone tell me we were having a family meeting?” Tymico joked as she walked in carrying a large white paper bag with grease stains.
“Hey, you. What are you doing here?” Dakota moved across the room, giving her friend a quick hug. “I thought you were still out of town.”
“I returned a little while ago, and thought I’d bring Wesley lunch.”
Dakota frowned, but before she could question that, Wesley approached, gathering them both into a hug.
“I feel like the luckiest man alive.” He kissed them both on their cheeks. “My two favorite girls came to see me at the same time. That hasn’t happened in years.”
“I was concerned when you called me the other day looking for Dakota,” Tymico said, setting the bag of food on the round conference table. “Since you didn’t sound like yourself, I decided then that when I got back in town, I’d stop by and visit you.”
“If only my daughter could be that thoughtful.” Wesley quirked a brow at Dakota.
Tymico unpacked the bag, the pungent scent of garlic and other spices filling the space. “Dee, why haven’t you been answering your phone? I’ve been calling you. I was going to see if you wanted to come here with me, but I guess we had the same idea.”
“Oh, I forgot my cell at home.” Dakota hadn’t thought to grab her phone when she returned the night before to pack enough clothes for a few days. She wouldn’t have one at all if Hamilton hadn’t given her the burner phone she had used while at the safe house.
“I hope you guys are hungry. I stopped by that little bistro up the street. There should be enough for all of us.”
“It smells delicious, but I can’t stay. I need to get to work,” Dakota said, distracted at how her father pulled out a chair for Tymico to sit at the table. Her friend smiled up at him as if he were an Egyptian prince. Now that Dakota thought about it, her dad totally lit up when her best friend walked in. Now they seemed really comfortable as if they ate together all the time.
“You sure you don’t want some of this, Dee Dee? There’s a lot of food here.” Wesley bit into a steak sandwich.
“I’m sure, but you guys enjoy lunch.” Dakota headed to the door. “Ty, I’ll talk to you later, and Dad, I’m looking forward to dinner tonight.”
As Dakota left, she overheard her father invite Tymico to dinner with them. Dakota should’ve been glad about the possibility of the three of them dining together. But instead, she walked out feeling conflicted about her friend’s familiarity with Wesley.
She’s treating my father better than I do. I have to do better if I want our father-daughter relationship to go back to what it used to be.