The Love Of Money - Episode 236
06-08-25 (17:50)
That was Vikram. He found some notes in some of your
grandpa's old files. A lot of it seemed to be about things
that went down between him and his kids."
"Where are the keys to the lockboxes?"
"We're still trying to work that out," she sighed.
"And there's no guaranteeing any of this might be tied
to this drive they were asking me about..."
"Unfortunately, no," Erin said.
"Okay, well, at least it's something. Good work, and
thanks."
"Thanks, boss, but hold off on the gratitude until we find
something that might actually be useful. I'd like a bonus
if we strike oil, though."
My eyebrows raised at that. I heard the door open
behind me and saw my dad stepping onto the balcony
with me. "Oh?"
"Yeah. I'd like to fist fight that bitch you have collared in
the apartment."
I laughed at that. "You mean..." I glanced at my dad,
who had leaned up against the railing a few feet away,
scrolling on his phone. "The one you fed?"
"That's the one," Erin said.
"What happened?"
"I found her in one of the bedrooms fast asleep, and
after what she did yesterday morning, I thought I'd
retum the favor. I woke her up by going down on her. I
scared the shit out of her, but she seemed receptive. In
no time, I had her creaming all over my face. Then I
tried to kiss her, and she slapped me in the face and
then kicked me between the legs."
"Yeah... that scans," I said.
"I knew she had some fight, but damn... I didn't expect
that."
"It might be best for you to leave her alone unless I or
Helen are with you."
"Noted. Anyway, I want to kick her back. Hard."
"How about we settle for something a little more
pleasurable for all parties involved?"
"I'll take it," she said.
"You can have that anyway, you know."
"Thanks, but I want to feel like I've earned it."
"Kind of like gaming the system... setting a reward for
yourself?"
"That's it."
"Deal," I said.
"Just like that? She'd be okay getting a little more
involved with me?"
"She will be if I tell her to be," said.
"Okay then," Erin said. "I've got a drive to find."
"Real quick," said. "Did you, by any chance, happen to
set up my flight?"
"Yes, sir. It leaves at eleven like you asked."
"Thanks, Erin."
"Yes, sir. Enjoy the rest of your dinner."
I ended the call and just stared at my new screen.
"We need to let you go?" Dad asked, still looking at his
phone.
"No. Not yet. I have a flight that leaves at eleven, so
we have time."
"Good." He said. Silence reigned for a few minutes, and
then he said, "Listen, son.."
Looking over at my dad, I said, "Yeah?"
He looked over at me with the same silver-gray eyes
my sister had. They were warm and soothing. For a
brief moment, I felt like I was six again, curled up in my
dad's lap, watching one of those cheesy action movies
that he loved so much. "Thanks," he said.
"No problem," said.
"I'm proud of you."
it was the fact that he didn't say, "We're proud of you'
that got me He said, "I'm proud. I'd been a little
sensitive about this entire thing where' my dad was
concerned. It was a reminder that he wasn't my
biological father and that had things turned out a little
differently, I might not have known him at all. I didn't
want this whole situation to make things awkward for
him. Collin Gerrard might have been my biological
father, but Henry Upton was my dad, and hearing my
dad say he was proud of me meant the world.
Thanks, Dad, but I don't know if you should be."
"Well," he said, looking back over the city skyline. "I
am."
I sighed. I wanted to tell him everything-The
kidnapping. The women. Bobbi. Jessica. Ashlee, Danni.
The board meeting. The mysterious drive. The fact that
an entire side of my family hates me.
Instead, I crossed my arms on the railing and sighed. I
wasn't even sure where' to start, had felt like could
actually open up to him about everything. We
continued in silence for the next several minutes until I
felt him clap me on the shoulder and pull me into a side
hug as he said, "No matter how dark things seem. No
matter how far down a hole you feel like you get, if
you ever need anything -anything at all-I'm always in
your comer, son."
"Yeah," said, giving him as much of a smile as I could
muster before resting my chin on my arms and looking
out at the night sky. "Thanks, Dad."
To Be Continued... Don't forget to leave a Comment 
