Sloan lifted a brow. “Or else what?”

  “Or else he’s going to make you suffer needlessly. Putting a hold on your funds and credit cards is just the beginning. Do you honestly think it was a coincidence you got evicted?”

  Sloan sat up straight in her chair. “Please don’t tell me Dad had something to do with Priscilla’s check bouncing.”

  “Okay, I won’t tell you.”

  Sloan rubbed a hand down her face, not believing this, although she knew she should.

  She didn’t have to wonder how he’d found out about her plans with Priscilla. Her father kept on retainer a man who owned one of the most reputable investigative companies in Ohio. She wouldn’t have put it past her father to hack into her phone to retrieve all her text messages and phone conversations with Priscilla. Did he also know about the money Lisa had agreed to send her? Would he try sabotaging that, as well? She then thought about how difficult it was for her to open a bank account online. She suddenly felt uneasy. Perhaps he already had.

  “What Dad did to Priscilla’s bank account was illegal,” she said, not caring if she raised her voice.

  “You might think so, but he considers it a necessary means to an end. I don’t think you realize just how important your marriage to Harold is for this family.”

  “And what about my survival, Mom? Better yet, what about my happiness?”

  “I’ve discovered a person can force themselves to be happy under any given situation.”

  “Happiness shouldn’t have to be forced.”

  “I blame your grandfather for putting all these foolish ideas into your head. Being born a Donahue comes with certain costs that must be paid.”

  “I refuse to pay them.”

  “Then you’re only asking for trouble, Sloan Elizabeth. Not only for yourself but for any allies you drag into this mess.”

  A lump formed in Sloan’s throat. “What do you mean?”

  “What I mean is that your father can be ruthless. Please don’t drive him to be that way with not only you, but also with others you might befriend in your quest to disobey us. We know Harold called to make amends. He told us you’re being difficult with him, too. It’s time for you to stop this foolishness. Harold is coming to Phoenix and we expect you to be nice to him when he gets there.”

  Like hell she would. Sloan was ready to end the call. She knew that nothing she said to her mother would get through to her, so there was no need to waste her time. “And it’s time for you and Dad to stop trying to control me. I won’t let you do it. Goodbye, Mom.” She clicked off the phone.

  “I gather your folks still are causing problems.”

  Sloan swiveled around in her chair to find Mercury standing in the office doorway.

  * * *

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Mercury said, coming to stand in the room.

  Sloan glared at him. “Are you apologizing for eavesdropping, as well?”

  He leaned against a file cabinet while remembering how Galen had described her to Eli. A sizzling-hot looker who was also prim and proper. He wholeheartedly agreed with the description and found it fascinating that any woman could be both.

  “I didn’t have to eavesdrop. You were talking loud enough for the entire house to hear. Where are my parents, by the way?” He wasn’t ready to discuss the parts of her phone conversation that he’d heard and wished he hadn’t. Doing so would only make him mad about the things her mother had said.

  “Your parents went out for the evening. They had a dinner date with another couple.”

  “Probably the Connors,” Mercury said, thinking aloud. Deciding to return to his earlier comment, he said, “Sounds like your parents are trying to stir up trouble for you.”

  She shifted in the chair, and that was when he noticed she had changed from the skirt and blouse she’d been wearing earlier to a pretty pink sundress. Why did the color pink make her look both sexy and feminine?

  “A part of me wishes you hadn’t heard that, but in a way, I’m glad you did. Now you can explain to your mother why I left, when she returns.” Sloan stood. “I need to go pack.”

  Mercury shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. “And just where do you think you’re going?”

  She shrugged a nice pair of shoulders beneath the spaghetti straps of her dress. “Not sure, but I have to leave here. I don’t know how much of the conversation you heard, but if my father thinks you and your family are befriending me, he will cause problems for you.”

  Mercury just stared at her. Did she honestly think his family needed to be protected against a man who was acting more like a bully than a father? Mercury had heard what her mother said about Sloan’s father’s ruthless side. He’d also heard there was a strong possibility her ex-fiancé was coming to town to talk her into going ahead with their wedding plans.

  “I don’t know where I’m going, Mercury, but I need to leave here.”

  He shook his head. “Honestly? In the middle of the night, with no place to go and no transportation to get there? And before you even think to ask me to take you anywhere, the answer is no.”

  He watched her nibble on her bottom lip and wished like hell he didn’t feel a tightening in his gut. He didn’t like the way his thoughts were going with her. He could accept being attracted to her, since it came with the territory of who and what he was. A reaction to any beautiful woman was automatic. Only problem was that he had no desire to be attracted to this one.

  “Okay, I won’t leave tonight, but I will be leaving in the morning. That will give me a chance to explain things to your mother.”

  “Good luck with that.” Mercury knew his mother. There was no way Eden would let Sloan go anywhere after she explained things.

  “Regardless, I will leave first thing tomorrow for the airport.”

  He raised a brow. “The airport? To go where and how will you pay for a ticket?”

  “I have a college friend living in Florida named Lisa. I contacted her and she said she’ll be able to loan me a thousand dollars. I’ll use it to hide out somewhere in another state where nobody knows me.”

  “Another friend you can trust?” he asked sarcastically.

  She lifted her chin. “You obviously didn’t hear what my mother said about my eviction today.”

  No, he hadn’t heard that part. “What about it?”

  “My father was behind that, as well.”

  An incredulous expression settled on Mercury’s face. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “Sadly, I’m not.” She then told him what her mother had said.

  “But how could he remove funds from someone’s bank account?” Mercury asked.

  “Dad is on the board of a number of national banks. Unfortunately, one of those includes Priscilla’s bank. He didn’t have the funds removed—instead he probably worked with the banker to have them appear as if they weren’t there to accomplish what he needed to have done.”

  As far as Mercury was concerned, her father was worse than ruthless. He was a tyrant.

  “So, as you can see, my father will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He doesn’t care who he hurts or maligns in the process. I refuse to let your family become involved.”

  A frown settled on his face. “That’s not your decision to make.”

  “What do you mean it’s not my decision to make?”

  “The Steeles can take care of ourselves.”

  “But you don’t know my father.”

  “Wrong. Your father doesn’t know us.”

  She shook her head. “Look, Mercury, no matter what you say, I am leaving town tomorrow.”

  “Aren’t you afraid he will cause this Lisa retribution, as well?”

  She shook her head. “No. Lisa’s father is a US senator and her mother is a high-profile judge. My father isn’t crazy enough to mess with their daughter.” Then after she’d thought for a moment, she said, “But what Dad is doing is blocking my ability to open a bank account online.”

  Mercury rubbed his hand down his face in frustration. The main reason he had come here was to meet with his mom and quell any foolish notions she might have about any type of relationship developing between him and Sloan, because it wouldn’t be happening. But now, after overhearing that phone conversation, protecting Sloan from her tyrannical father had become more of a priority to him.

  “Obviously your father is tracking you with your phone. You need to get rid of it.”

  She nodded, agreeing. “I’ll ditch it. One of the first things I will do when I get the money from Lisa is buy one of those burner phones.” Then she asked him, “Do you have a way to receive funds through your phone?”

  He had a feeling why she was asking. “Yes.”

  “Do you have a problem with Lisa sending the money to your bank account since I can’t open one of my own?”

  “Yes, I have a problem with it.”

  First of all, he didn’t like the thought that she was willing to be on the run like some hunted animal. And second, he refused to believe her father had a way to block her from opening an account at every damn bank in the country.

  “Why?”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. Earlier today he would have pegged her as a spoiled, rich woman, used to getting whatever she wanted. He’d even felt she had gotten easy treatment at police headquarters. However, the hurt and humiliation he’d seen during her eviction had been real. He’d even felt her defeat. He was somewhat feeling it now and he didn’t like it.

  “I prefer not being an accomplice to your cowardice.”

  An angry look appeared on her face and she was out of her chair in a flash. She got right in his face. “How dare you insinuate that I’m a coward? You don’t know me or my parents. You don’t know how manipulative they can be to get what they want.”

  He wished she wasn’t standing so close. His gaze suddenly became fixated on the delicious shape of her lips. He was staring at them and not her eyes. Unfortunately, she was too fired up to notice.

  Not liking where his thoughts or his libido were headed, in a voice gruffer than he liked, he said, “Maybe it’s time you stand up to your parents. Running away is not going to help and they will see that as a weakness to prey on.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” she snapped. “I know my parents a lot better than you, and I’m trying to prevent all of you from getting to know them. Trust me—you wouldn’t want to.”

  She drew in a deep breath, and when she did, the suction was like a vacuum, drawing his mouth closer...and she still didn’t notice. “Whether you help me or not, I am leaving Phoenix tomorrow. I’ll tell your parents when they return tonight and that’s final.”

  Mercury wasn’t sure what pushed him to make the next move. It could have been the frustration he felt at that moment or the proximity of his mouth to hers. All he knew was that he was trying to talk some sense into her, and she wanted to give in without a fight. That annoyed the hell out of him. Reaching out, he pulled her into his arms.

  He hesitated only a moment—long enough for her to pull away or not—and captured her mouth with his.

  He wasn’t sure what he expected when his mouth connected with hers, but it definitely wasn’t the way fire blasted through every part of his body. Nor had he expected the taste of her tongue to go straight to his groin. And he absolutely had not expected her mouth to soften beneath the forceful demand of his.

  This was what he would call a mind-blowing kiss, definitely one for the record books. And the way she followed his lead with her tongue tugged at everything male within him.

  When the sound of someone clearing their throat intruded, Sloan all but jumped out of his arms. He released her and turned to find his mother standing in the office doorway with an unreadable expression on her face. This wouldn’t be the first time his mother had caught him kissing a girl and he doubted it would be the last. But he could just imagine what Eden was thinking and he knew he needed to get something straight before she got any wrong ideas.

  Stepping away from Sloan, he said, “It’s not what you think. I was trying to talk some sense into her.”

  Eden lifted a brow. “Oh? Is that how it’s done now?”

  Mercury released a heavy sigh. “Maybe you will succeed where I’ve failed. She is about to make a big mistake,” he said in a curt tone. Knowing he needed to put as much distance between him and Sloan as he could, he asked, “Where’s Dad?”

  “In his man cave. Maybe you ought to join him there and chill a minute.”

  “I think I will.” Without giving Sloan a backward glance, he strolled past his mother and out of her office.

  Walking quickly, he took the steps down to the basement, where his father’s man cave was located. His father stood in front of the huge flat-screen television holding the remote while trying to find a decent channel.

  Without bothering to turn around, Drew said, “I saw your car parked in the driveway, Mercury. Do I need to wonder why you’re here?”

  Mercury slid down on the sofa. “It’s not what you think.”

  Drew turned and looked at his fifth-born son. “It’s not?”

  “No.”

  His father stared at him a minute too long to suit Mercury. “Is something wrong, Dad?”

  His father shrugged his shoulders. “I hope for your sake there’s not.”

  Seven

  Sloan figured she had a lot of explaining to do to Eden. But first she needed to give her head a chance to stop spinning and her body time to cease throbbing.

  What man kissed like that? Definitely not Harold and certainly not Carlos Larson, that guy she’d dated in college and the only man she’d slept with.

  She hadn’t known someone could capture your lips in a way where you felt under siege and too filled with pleasure to do anything but be a willing participant.

  “Are you okay, Sloan?”

  She glanced at Eden and saw the concern in her eyes. “I guess I need to explain.”

  “Only if you want to.”

  She didn’t want to, but she knew she should. “I owe you one regardless. You’ve been nothing but kind. And Mercury was right. He started out trying to talk some sense into me. Then something happened we didn’t expect and both now strongly regret. I apologize that you were privy to our foolishness. There is no excuse for our behavior.”

  “No need to apologize, but why did he feel the need to talk some sense into you?” Eden asked, coming to sit down on the love seat.

  “Mainly because I’ve made decisions about a few things.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes. I got a call from my mother letting me know my father was behind my eviction today.”

  “He was?”

  “Yes. Mom also informed me that Dad intends to make trouble for anyone who tries to help me out of the predicament they’ve deliberately put me in.”

  Sloan noticed that Eden didn’t seem bothered by that revelation. Instead she said, “I think you need to start from the beginning.”

  Sloan told Mercury’s mother everything. When she’d finished, Eden didn’t say anything for a minute. “All this time I was under the assumption that when they made my father, Elijah Tyson, that they broke the mold. Obviously not, if your father is his clone.”

  Sloan lifted a brow. “You told me about your father at lunch. Are you saying your father was like mine?”

  Eden chuckled. “Close enough. When he discovered Drew had helped me cross state lines, he tried to have him arrested. When that didn’t work, he tried destroying Drew’s trucking business.”

  “Oh, my.”

  “Yes. But Drew was determined not to go anywhere, even when Dad tried paying him off. Dad literally disowned me until his first grandchild was born, especially one with the Tysons’ trademark green eyes. That’s when he began changing.” Eden smiled. “You can say Galen captured his grandfather’s heart. Then I guess he figured Drew couldn’t be all bad since the two of us could make a child so perfect. There was also the fact that Drew had money. He was a self-made billionaire who’d turned his trucking company into a huge success.”

  Eden paused and then added, “He came around, asking for our forgiveness.”

  “Did you forgive him?” Sloan asked, coming to sit beside Eden on the love seat.

  “Yes, because we knew his apology was sincere. My mother had died and he didn’t want to spend the rest of his years a mean and hateful man without any family. By the time my second child was born, I honored my father by giving my son my maiden name of Tyson. All six of my sons were very close to their grandfather until the day he died nearly eight years ago.”

  Sloan didn’t say anything. She had lost her grandfather as well, six years ago. “Do you think I’m making a mistake by running away again?”

  Eden reached out and took Sloan’s hand in hers. “Only you can answer that. You are an adult and what you decide to do is your rightful decision to make. However, please don’t make it on the assumption you have to protect my family, just because we are people decent enough to help a young woman in need.”

  Sloan took in those words and then said, “I have decisions to make.”

  Eden nodded. “Yes, but the good thing is that you don’t have to make them tonight. Or tomorrow. Our offer still stands. You can stay here for as long as you need.”

  “Thank you.”

  Eden stood. “I suggest you get a good night’s sleep. I can imagine Mercury was overwhelming. That’s how he is when he cares about something—or someone.”

  Sloan hoped Eden wasn’t thinking that way because she’d walked in on Sloan and Mercury kissing. They had just gotten caught up in the moment and the clashing of wills. “He only brought me here because he wants to wash his hands of me.”

  Eden waved off her words. “Don’t worry about Mercury. I’m sure he’ll get over it.”