Arabella watched the standoff, her frown deepening by the second.
On the surface, it looked like nothing more than a tense father-daughter dispute. But she couldn't shake the sense that she was the axis around which it revolved.
Like they wouldn't be having this conversation if she weren't here.
After a few more clipped exchanges in lowered voices, Jacob finally relented. He gave a sharp nod to his men. They stepped back at once, though their eyes remained fixed on Lana as she hurried toward the exit, dragging the large duffel with her.
When the girl disappeared from sight, Jacob changed.
The practiced calm fell away, replaced by something tighter. More restless.
Arabella leaned back slightly, her fingers resting against the arm of her chair.
"What was that all about?" She asked in the end.
Jacob turned back to her, a twisted smirk touching his lips.
"My daughter," he said lightly. "She's going through a rebellious phase."
