The Scars That Make Us (Second Generation Book 3)

Chapter 18

CATARINA

I spent as much time lounging in bed with Jace as I could. Deacon had just woken up when I was getting ready to leave and they both had already heard from Granger who was on his way. Jace tried to talk me out of going back to the house, but I wanted to meet with my parents before Margot spoke with them, and to do that I needed to get there first thing in the morning.

I stopped for a coffee on my way back home because I needed the coffee kick and went right to my room until Jace called me to say that he was back by the tennis court entrance. I still think he was overacting a bit, but I wasn’t going to argue with him over it. He was being protective of me and it isn’t very often that I actually feel like somebody is totally on my side.

When my phone goes off, I pick it up right away. “Hey, find the place?”

“Yeah, we’re good.”

“Okay, I’m going to head down to his office.”

“Keep the phone on the entire time, please.”

“Do you honestly think it is necessary?”

“I don’t know, but I know there are a lot of really shitty people in the world and I want to be prepared. Just put the phone on speaker, mute it, and stick it in your pocket.”

“Okay, just a second.”

I slide on a pair of jeans and do exactly what Jace said.

“Okay, this is a test, can you hear me?”

“Yeah, I got you baby. Now put it on mute in case Deacon decides to curse.”

I smile and tuck the phone into my back pocket. I’m a nervous wreck walking down the stairs, but I know that I have to do this and I need to do it now. I stand in front of my dad’s office and take a deep long breath. I think about Jace and close my eyes and imagine him right here with me, giving me the strength to do this. I put my hand on the doorknob and push the door open, but my heart stops when I see Margot standing next to my dad and my mom sitting on one of the chairs.

“Looks like we didn’t have to call for her after all.” Margot smiles at me with a predatory look.

“Good morning, Mom...Dad.”

“Good morning, Catarina. Can you please come in here and take a seat?” My dad motions to the chair next to my mom.

“I’d actually prefer to stand right now, thank you though.”

“As you wish. I must say, I’m a bit speechless right now. I’m assuming that you know why Margot is in here right now with your mother and me.”

“Yeah, I was hoping to have the chance to speak to you before she said anything, but I guess I am just a bit too late for that.”

“Watch your tone, Catarina, this isn’t a joke,” my mom snapped at me.

“I do apologize for having some attitude Mom, but I don’t understand why this has anything to do with Margot. I get that she’s your personal assistant, Dad and I know that she does a lot for you and the family, but this is not professional business. This is a conversation that I would like to have with my parents, not the Senator and his wife.”

“Your father’s personal business IS professional as far as his constituents are concerned,” Margot responded.

“Margot,” my dad took off his glasses and looked at her, “I agree with you, but perhaps if you get the three of us a chance to talk and then we can bring you in for advice on how to handle this.”