Wrong (Breaking the Rules) (19 page)

“What about this one?” my mother asked, holding up a pearl necklace. I held it up to me so I could see it in the mirror. The dress was at the apartment, but I remembered how low the neckline was on it.

“Nah, it doesn’t go with the whole ‘red dress’ look. I need something sexier.” She nodded her agreement and continued to peruse the pile on the bed.

“Ah, here you go. This is gorgeous,” she exclaimed, smiling, holding up rather large teardrop diamond necklace. It was beautiful and would go perfectly with the dress. I took it from her to look at it closer.

“Mom, it’s exquisite. I think this is the one. Do you have earrings and a bracelet to match?” I asked, clasping it around my neck so I could admire it in the mirror.

She handed them over so I could try them on. “Honey, I feel like we’re dressing you up for the prom you never attended. I can’t help but feel ecstatic over this gala. Your father and I look forward to meeting your boyfriend. The relief on your dad’s face was evident when I told him you had a love interest. He’s always worried that you would have been too jaded to ever successfully have any future relationships after what that jerk did to you.” Her eyes were teary, and my own misted over as well.

“Mom, he’s wonderful. You are going to love him. He adores his family, he’s successful, and he is drop-dead gorgeous. I’m still amazed at how much he likes me,” I admitted honestly.

“Sweetie, you are beautiful and intelligent. Any man would be lucky to have you.” I grinned at her and took the jewelry off.

When the doorbell rang, we both shrieked like teenage girls, running for the door. I opened the door to a brooding Jordan. After he saw me, his face morphed into a grin.

“Hey, babe,” he greeted, embracing me.

“Hi, Jordan. Meet my mother, Sandra.” I gestured to her. She grinned as she held out her hand for him to shake. Instead, he brought her in for a quick hug, and I swear she blushed.

“Nice to meet you, Sandra. I got these for you.”

She gasped when he handed her the box of Godiva chocolates. I just rolled my eyes. He knew the way to a woman’s heart.

“Why, Jordan, how adorably sweet of you. Thank you for the chocolates. We can certainly enjoy these after dinner with some wine.” Smiling, she walked back towards the kitchen to check on the lasagna.

“I missed you.” He chastely kissed me on the lips.

“I missed you too, Jordan. Daddy is running a few minutes late. Something came up at work. He’ll be here soon.”

He kissed me again, this time deeper. I sighed as my body involuntarily ignited at his touch. Finally, he withdrew and smiled at me.

“You better cut that out. Otherwise, we’ll never make it to dinner, babe, and that won’t make a good impression on your folks.”

I sighed again but grinned back at him. “Fine, but I can’t promise I’ll be able to control myself in the car on the way back home,” I teased. “I took a cab so we could ride back together.” Grabbing his hand, I dragged him into the kitchen.

“Dinner is about ready, guys. Your daddy is almost home. He just texted me. Why don’t we enjoy some wine while we wait?” She poured three glasses for us, and we chatted easily while we waited for him.

Jordan, ever the charmer, had Mom eating out of his hand by the time I heard Daddy enter the kitchen. She had resorted to calling him Jordie, making my heart swell inside.

“Darling, I’m so sorry I am late. I got caught up with some hothead asshole,” he grumbled as he leaned over to kiss my mother’s cheek.

Jordan visibly tensed at my father’s words, and I sent him a worried glance.

“Honey, what happened to your nose?” my mother shrieked.

Daddy’s nose was swollen and his eyes were turning black underneath.

“Don’t worry about it. We’ve got a guest. Hi, I’m Calvin Jones.”

When he turned to introduce himself to Jordan, his face turned bright red with fury.

“Fucking Jordan Compton!” he shouted, causing me and Mom to jump.

What the hell is going on with these two?

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Jordan muttered under his breath.

“Daddy, what’s going on?” I asked, grabbing Jordan’s hand.

“Your
boyfriend
punched me in the nose!” he yelled over at me. Daddy never got this upset, but he was seething with anger. This dinner was turning to shit really fast.

“Now, Calvin, calm down. I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but Jordan is a nice young man. And I hate to remind you, but he is also your daughter’s boyfriend,” Mom told him calmly.

Daddy was having a hard time keeping his cool. Jordan was tense beside me, ready to snap. He was also never like this. I couldn’t understand the whole situation.

“Daddy, I don’t understand. Why would Jordan punch you? How do you two know each other?” I questioned, concern lacing my voice. This was not how this meeting was supposed to go down.

Jordan spoke up before Daddy could. “Your
daddy
represents the man that’s trying to take money from my company. He called my father incompetent and insulted my ability run my business,” he fumed.

My mouth dropped open as I realized what had happened.

“Get out of my fucking house,” Daddy ordered nastily, glaring at Jordan.

“Calvin! Absolutely not. You both need to chill out!” my mother shouted at Daddy. Your daughter is dating him, and I suggest you learn to deal with it if you don’t want to hurt her.” His jaw was visibly clenching and unclenching as he considered Mom’s words.

“I’ll be waiting at the dinner table,” Daddy uttered coldly as he stormed into the dining room, Mom on his heels. Jordan sighed in relief once he’d left the room.

“You punched my daddy?” I hissed at him.

His features softened when he looked at me. “Babe, he got in my face and insulted my father. It was instinct. I felt horrible after I did it. I’m so sorry. That was completely out of character for me. This fucking sucks.” He ran his hands through his hair. I could tell he was really upset over the whole ordeal.

“Come here. We’ll figure it out. Just make it through dinner, Jordan. I’m sure Daddy will cool off.” I smiled at him and pecked his lips. He didn’t look convinced but nodded anyway.

We made our way to the dining room and Mom patted my Daddy on the shoulder before returning to the kitchen to retrieve the lasagna.

“Darling, how is the gala coming along?” Daddy asked, not looking over at Jordan as we took our seats.

“Daddy, it’s going great. Stan and I have been working endlessly to pull everything together, but I am pleased to say that everything is a go. I’m looking forward to showing him my abilities on my first big event. He said that if I prove myself, I’ll be able to handle the entire thing next year. I’m terribly excited!” I beamed, hoping he would get past the whole Jordan thing.

His smile was genuine, letting me know that he was trying. “Princess, that’s wonderful! I am so happy for you. It really seems like your life is just the way you want it.” Daddy was trying to be the bigger man, which made me incredibly pleased.

“Yes, Daddy. I am excited about the gala. There are going to be hundreds of influential people there. It will be an exciting time for me.” I grinned at him, trying to lighten the mood.

Jordan sat silently beside me. He too was trying for me. These guys really cared for me, and it made my heart hurt that they already hated each other.

Mom brought out the lasagna in one hand and the salad in the other. She was smiling her fake entertaining smile. I felt bad for her and threw her a look of encouragement.

“Dinner is served, everyone. Please enjoy,” she said breezily. We all took turns putting portions of food on our plates. Mom poured Daddy a glass of wine as well and set the bottle down in front of her. It would definitely be one of those nights.

“Sandra, this lasagna is delicious. You are quite the cook,” Jordan complimented, smiling at her.

She chuckled at him. “Thank you, Jordie! It was my mother’s recipe. I’ve spent the better part of thirty years perfecting it,” she explained, blushing.

Daddy frowned, which made me cringe.

Daddy and Jordan were making a point not to look at each other or talk to each other. That meant that the attention was brought upon me and Mom.

“Daddy, I need to tell you something,” I revealed, growing serious. “I was mugged Sunday night and I think it was Cole,” I confessed.

His face turned red with fury again, but this time it was directed at Cole. “What the hell, Pepper? Why didn’t you say anything?” he bellowed.

“Her name is Elizabeth,” Jordan growled from beside me, shocking both me and Daddy.

“Excuse me?” Daddy asked.

“I said, her name is Elizabeth. That dickhead gave her that name. Don’t encourage it.” His glare met Daddy’s, and I shifted nervously in my seat.

Mom quietly ate her lasagna, trying to stay out of the argument. Daddy stared at Jordan, mouth gaping.

“You’re right. I’m so sorry, Elizabeth. Now tell me why in the hell you didn’t tell me this the moment it happened!”

“Daddy, I didn’t want to worry you. I wasn’t hurt. He held a gun to Jordan’s head and demanded my purse.” Daddy smirked when I said the part about Jordan and tears filled my eyes. I could tell he instantly regretted it.

“Elizabeth, I’m sorry.”

I blinked back the tears and tried to focus on eating my lasagna. Jordan reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing it.

“It’s okay, Daddy. I’m just bummed. He knows where I live now,” I told him as my chin quivered.

“He won’t touch you. I’ll kill him,” Jordan promised.

The look of surprise on my Daddy’s face made my heart swell. Maybe they could learn to get along for my sake. Jordan gently kissed my cheek and went back to eating his lasagna. When I looked up at Daddy again, he was looking at Jordan, his mouth open.

“Jordan, keep my Elizabeth safe,” Daddy said to him.

Jordan looked back at him with confidence in his eyes. “Sir, I will fucking choke the life out of him if he even looks at her.”

And for the first time that evening, Daddy smiled at him.