Dare Me Not | 18+ ✔

39. The Edge of Reason (Parker)

My dad's sudden appearance prompts us to jump away from each other. When I realize a few men and Margie also stand behind him by the door, I know that the shit is about to hit the fan.

He turns to face the guys I know from the IT team and forces a smile. "Gentlemen, I'm afraid we will need to postpone our discussion. Mr. Hunt and I have an urgent matter to discuss."

My dad doesn't have to say further for them to awkwardly nod and flee from the potential war zone. No one wants to be around my old man when he's like this. Poor Margie for not being able to escape because her desk is right in front of Xander's office.

"Tim, I can explain," Xander starts.

My dad's eyes narrow, an eerie smile growing on the corner of his lips. "Explain how? What kind of explanation can make me understand why your finger was buried in my daughter's pants? Are you playing doctor, Hunt?"

"Dad, let's not make it a big deal," I say before Xander responds. "We are all adults, and stuff happens, but I assure you it's nothing. We're just a bit distracted."

"Not a big deal, you said?" My dad's voice raises an octave. "You had him fingering you here at work, in front of people from the IT team."

"In my defense, you didn't knock," I reply.

"That doesn't justify what you two were just doing. This is my office, my company, my fucking rules."

"That's my fault," says Xander. "I'm to blame."

"I trusted you, Hunt." Dad glares at Xander with a sharpness that can cut a diamond. Disappointment and disgust are written in his eyes. "First, you violated the company rule of fucking your subordinate under the same team. Second, she's my daughter and she's off-limits. No matter if she acts like a hormonal kid, it's your job to ignore her."

"Dad, it's not how it happened," I say, even though he's just an inch closer to the truth. I did act like a hormonal teenager around Xander, and he tried to ignore me at the beginning.

"Silence. This is not your turn to talk," Dad replies to me, but his eyes are still on Xander's face. "I want to know why you betrayed me like this?"

"Tim." Xander raises his hands over his chest, his palms facing my dad. "I'm so, so sorry. Can we just–"

"Did she offer herself in exchange for anything?"

"Huh? I'm not sure I'm following you."

"We know she needs the money."

His words are like a blow to my face. Did he just say I seduced Xander for money? Well, it was the idea a few months ago when I started this job, but we are in a different predicament now. Hearing my dad say it now makes me feel like I'm a prostitute.

"That's not what happened. Can we just talk? You and me? Leave Parker out of this. I'll tell you everything."

My dad glances at me, seeming doubtful at first, but then he nods at me. "Parker, go home. We'll talk after I get to the bottom of this with Hunt."

"No," I say. "I'm not going anywhere. This is about me, and I have a right to be here, to be included in this talk."

"It's not a time to act like a spoiled brat. I'm not going to repeat myself."

"I'm not acting like a spoiled brat. I'm done with you two deciding my future without including me."

"Or," he says, his voice hardened, "I will terminate your internship, and you will be very, very sorry for that."

Here we go again. He's becoming that man who puffs his chest, acting like he's a god because he has all the power and money. But what choice do I have now? I can't lose this job now, not without access to my trust funds. Fuck, this makes me feel so darn cheap.