Chapter 77: Paul Calls Scott Out

-Scott's POV-

"Francesca had nowhere to go this Christmas, so I offered her our hospitality. As Molly did to Becca and YOU did to Noah," my father defended himself casually.
"I see," I said slowly.
I was trying to decide if my father was punishing me for inviting friends or if he was just using it as an excuse. My money was on the latter.
I sincerely hoped that someone had thought to invite someone single. I thought to myself. Because otherwise, Francesca was about to have a night full of disappointments.
"Why don't you go find Willimina and have her make you up some of her signature eggnog?" Paul suggested. "It does wonders to improve your spirits."
Francesca looked between the two of us for a moment. But finally nodded and headed back downstairs.
"What are you doing, Dad?" I demanded as soon as we were alone.
"Me?" Paul scoffed. "What are YOU doing, son?"
I stiffened. "I'm not doing anything except having Christmas with my family."
"Your FAMILY?" Paul emphasized.
I crossed my arms over my chest and gritted my teeth to control my anger. I reminded myself over and over again how important it was to not fight on Christmas.
"Yes, Dad. With my family... as we do every year. So, why don't we cut the shit, and you tell me what this is about? The last time I spoke to Francesca, she was going to Iowa to visit family. So, why is she here?"
"Son," Paul started after a thoughtful moment. " I think it's high time you settled down."
My brain stuttered to a stop as I reeled back in shock. There was no way my father had really said that phrase out loud... to me. In all my twenty-nine years, Paul had never interfered in my personal life.
"Excuse me?" I finally pushed out of my frozen month.
"Settle down! Find a nice girl and start a family," Paul expanded on as if I didn't understand the words.
"And what exactly makes you think I don't already have my eyes on a decent woman I was hoping to do just that with?" I demanded.
My father's eye actually twitched for a moment, and I couldn't help but stare at it in fascination. That was a new one... I wondered how much strain would cause that stress-induced tick.
"Well, maybe, I don't like the girl you have your eyes on," my father replied.
My back stiffened at something in his voice... something that sparked a flare of guilt deep inside me. Anyone else would have backed down, not wanting their father's disappointment.
But me? It pissed me the fuck off. He was not in control of when I decided to settle down, much less WHO I chose to settle down with.
A door shutting behind me caused whatever I was about to say to die on my lips.
The woman I had been elusively referring to stepped out of her room and walked toward us with a quizzical look on her face.
I tried not to let my eyes linger on her, but the sight of Molly took my breath away.
Her hair floated in soft curls around her head and shoulders, the soft hallway light radiating off it and giving her an angelic look. The beautiful, elegant emerald green dress she wore hugged her bodice before flaring out at the hips in a delicate, flowing skirt, stopping just above her knees.
Molly looked like a beautiful temptress, walking toward me, intent on stealing not only my soul, but also my sanity. It took all my control not to sweep her up in my arms and prove to everyone that she belonged to me. Not just as my submissive but as my woman through and through.
When I saw the little strap of her red bra poke out of the slender straps of her dress,
my control almost snapped. She had listened; she had obeyed. Her need to submit to me was still there, and I felt that pleasure in my soul.
If it wasn't for my father's long, loud throat clearing, I would have taken a step towards her.
Molly jumped at the same time, seemingly caught in the same trap that I had been in. However, Molly managed to compose herself much faster than I did.
"Is everything alright?" she asked quietly, her eyes darting between us.
"We're fine," Paul told her. "Why don't you head downstairs? Your mother is waiting for you."
"I'm going to be picking Becca up here shortly," Molly told him, a tight frown on her face.
"Well, we won't keep you," Paul said to her as he waved her further down the hall.
Molly rolled her eyes. "I'll catch you guys later. Please let Mom know that I'll be back."
She began to move away, but I put my hand out to stop her. "Give me a minute, and I'll drive you."
"Scott, you have guests here, remember?" Paul reminded me firmly.
"Dad, you can entertain Francesca while I'm gone. After all, you're the one that invited her," I replied with a tight smile.
Molly raised an eyebrow at me, asking a million silent questions about what was happening. "That's not necessary... Scott. I have my license now. I can drive myself."
My hand tightened on her wrist as I leveled her with a stern look. “I will be driving, Molly. Go wait by the door. I’ll be down in a moment.”
I could see an argument flare, then die in her eyes. Her mouth snapped shut as she turned and headed downstairs.
I felt the corner of my mouth tip upward as I watched her sexy ass sway provocatively while she walked away. Every little piece of submission she gave me was just more proof that she was still mine. It was hard to keep the smile off my face until I caught my father's glare.
"You need to stop," Paul snapped. "Whatever is going on between you both needs to stop. It's inappropriate and disgusting."
I reeled back from the contempt dripping from his voice. He had never looked at me with such disapproval and dislike before. It almost hurt having my own father treat me like that. The pain and judgment made me angry... furious.
I took a step toward him. "Whatever is going on between Molly and I is none of your concern. Furthermore, you are the only one that sees it in any sort of perverse light. Molly and I are two consenting adults NOT RELATED by blood. So stow your judgment. You have no say in my love life."
My father, in turn, took a step toward me. "If you want my money and support, you will do as I say. The last thing I need is the world to discover that my future V. P. Of Operations is into something so... perverted."
I opened my mouth to tell him exactly what he could do with his job and money, but he cut me off before I could even try.
"Before you say another word, I want you to remember all the business you have brought in and what will happen to them should you leave," my father warned me.
I stilled and searched his face, unable to believe what he was insinuating. I hadn't brought in many companies, but the ones that I had were very important to me.
"The most important one, I'm assuming, is your friend Eric's business that we helped expand into America," Paul finally got to the heart of my concerns.
Eric had already gone through so much with Jean-Pierre and his bullshit. I didn't want to add the stress of my own father backing out of the deal.
"We will discuss this more when I get home," I told him firmly, then turned and walked downstairs before I gave into my desire to tell him to shove it up his ass.