The Bodyguard

Chapter 13

TORI

Before dinner with my father and his new family, I needed an outfit change, so Theo drove me back home and then back to my father's house. I had been wearing leggings and a plain T-shirt before. I didn't want to look like a bum in front of people that could potentially become a part of my life.

"You look beautiful no matter what you wear. They're going to love you. I don't see why they wouldn't," Theo said. He admired me as he glanced up and down, taking in the sight of my royal blue jumpsuit. Theo kissed my cheek, holding hands, and we entered the dining room together.

"This is her?!" The younger girl screamed out.

"Morgan, please keep calm. Tori may be a celebrity, but she is also your half-sister," Patterson said.

Theo pulled out the chair for me, and I sat down, feeling everyone's eyes on me, but mostly I felt Hayley's eyes. I bet she felt a pang of jealousy that my father was with another woman before her and had a child, and she's only now finding out about it. I'd be mad, too, but I wouldn't glare at the daughter who had no part in what her father did.

"Tori, this is my wife Hayley, my oldest Peter, Brielle, who you briefly met, and the youngest Morgan. She just graduated high school."

I half-smiled. "Nice to meet you." I didn't know what else to say. This dinner was awkward, and Theo could tell I felt uncomfortable because he grabbed my hand while sitting next to me and stroked it with his thumb.

"I'm sorry that Patterson didn't inform us about you sooner and that you have been alone for seven years. I imagine that must have been tough," Hayley said.

I nodded. "It was tough, especially since my mother passed two days before my birthday. I didn't do any celebrating for turning the big eighteen. I was too busy planning a funeral."

"Tori, I'm so sorry. If I'd known your mother was sick, if I would've done better, I-"

I interrupted, "Can we not discuss this? I didn't come to this dinner to talk about the past. I came to learn about you and your family. I came for you."

"Sorry, of course. What would you like to know?"

My eyes glanced around the table. All of my bodyguards were present, but my eyes landed on Peter. "How old are you, Peter?" I asked, taking a sip of my water.

"I'm about to be twenty-five." I choked on my water. "Are you okay?" Peter asked.

Theo patted me on the back, and I was able to relax. "I'm sorry. Did you say you're about to be twenty-five?"

Peter nodded, and I heard my father sigh. I turned my attention to him with a frown on my face. "Remember when I said to quit being an asshole and start telling the whole truth? The time for that began earlier. I'm done."

I threw my fork down onto my plate out of anger and got up. Theo followed behind me, and I found myself in the backyard of my father's home, tears streaming down my face.

"Tori, come here," Theo said with open arms.

I wiped my tears and felt myself almost collapse into Theo's arms. "Why does he have to keep lying, and why did he not want me?" I cried. I couldn't wrap my mind around it all. "I'm almost twenty-five, so is Peter younger or older than me? I-I don't know if I can ever trust my father."

Theo consoled me, and we sat down on an outside bench. "I used to think of Patterson as an honest man, but I can't say I do anymore. I swear to you, Tori, I didn't know about this. I've met his kids in passing, but I've never learned about any of them. Other agents are assigned to them."