Book 1 - Page 11 (1/2)

I stood as he approached, and he bent to kiss my cheek. ”You look lovely, Eva.”

”Thank you.” I looked like my mom, who was also a natural blonde. But my gray eyes came from my dad.

Taking a chair at the head of the table, Stanton was aware that the requisite backdrop of the New York skyline was behind him and he took advantage of its impressiveness.

”Eat,” he said, with the command so easily wielded by all men of power. Men like Gideon Cross.

Had Stanton been as driven at Cross's age?

I picked up my fork and started in on a chicken, cranberry, walnut, and feta salad. It was delicious, and I was hungry. I was glad Stanton didn't start talking right away so I could enjoy the meal, but the reprieve didn't last long.

”Eva love, I wanted to discuss your interest in Krav Maga.”

I froze. ”Excuse me?”

Stanton took a sip of iced water and leaned back, his jaw taking on the rigidity that warned me I wouldn't like what he was about to say. ”Your mother was quite distraught last night when you went to that studio in Brooklyn. It took some time to calm her down and to a.s.sure her that I could make arrangements for you to pursue your interests in a safe manner. She doesn't want - ”

”Wait.” I set my fork down carefully, my appet.i.te gone. ”How did she know where I was?”

”She tracked your cell phone.”

”No way,” I breathed, deflating into my seat. The casualness of his reply, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, made me feel ill. My stomach churned, suddenly more interested in rejecting my lunch than digesting it. ”That's why she insisted I use one of your company phones. It had nothing to do with saving me money.”

”Of course that was part of it. But it also gives her peace of mind.”

”Peace of mind? To spy on her grown daughter? It's not healthy, Richard. You've got to see that. Is she still seeing Dr. Petersen?”

He had the grace to look uncomfortable. ”Yes, of course.”

”Is she telling him what she's doing?”

”I don't know,” he said stiffly. ”That's Monica's private business. I don't interfere.”

No, he didn't. He coddled her. Indulged her. Spoiled her. And allowed her obsession with my safety to run wild. ”She has to let it go. I've let it go.”

”You were an innocent, Eva. She feels guilty for not protecting you. We need to give her a little lat.i.tude.”