“I distinctly remember, and Parker and Roman will agree, the moms raising us. They made sure we went to school. They made sure we ate. They made sure we didn’t turn into complete disasters.”
“I was there!” he snapped.
“Were you, though?” Julian narrowed his right eye.
“I provided for this family.”
“Oh, you provided. No one is arguing that. You funded us beautifully.”
“That’s called being a father,” Harrison said.
“More like a sponsor. Bro, back me up?” He glanced at Parker.
“A sponsor? What the hell are you talking about?” Harrison asked.
“You know, like those plaques on buildings? The ones that say, ‘Funded by.’”
“You are completely wrong.”
“Am I? Who taught me how to tie a tie? Mom did. Who taught me how to cook? Mom did. Who sat through every school meeting, knew all of my teachers’ names, and showed up when I got in trouble? Because I can tell you who didn’t, Papa.”
“I was working!” he snapped.
“Oh, I know,” Julian said. “You were always working. Important things. Big things. Very impressive things. So let’s not rewrite history and pretend you were at home teaching us life lessons.”
“I taught you three boys discipline and hard work.”
“Sorry, Papa. You taught us how to be afraid of disappointing you. Look. You gave us a lot. You really did. But the moms raised us. But to give you credit, you did teach me something.”
“Enlighten me, son.”
“To be there for my children, no matter what. I will never put my job before my family.”
“You’re unbelievable, Julian.” Harrison shook his head.
“I learned from the best.”
Harrison narrowed his eyes. “Let me guess?—”
“The moms.” Julian grinned. “But don’t worry. I still love you with all my heart, Papa.”
“You need therapy, son.”
“I know.” Julian chuckled.
Chapter Thirty
Paige
“Claire Simmons, daughter of Senator Travis Simmons.” I put her picture up on the board. “Twenty years old, attends UCLA, last seen two days ago in the library. Go!” I pointed to my staff sitting around the office table.
“I hacked into her phone records and found several texts over the last two months to a number that was traced to a burner phone. They were planning to meet up. Cam footage showed her leaving the library at nine p.m., and then someone wiped the rest of the footage,” my tech guy, Logan said.
“I want you two to go and talk to her roommate and friends. See if she mentioned the guy's name she was texting. We have a small window here, people, so let’s move.”
A sickness suddenly erupted in my belly. Placing my hand over my mouth, I ran to the bathroom and hovered over the toilet. What the hell was going on?
“Boss, are you okay?” Christine stepped into the bathroom.