8. Permission

Sky practically bounced down the hallway.

Elisa Campbell, the queen bee of the senior class had just invited her to a party. Sky didn’t even like Elisa. She didn’t like half the people Elisa hung out with. But that wasn’t the point.

The point was:

Charlie would have to go now and he looked beyond annoyed about it.

If Sky had to suffer through high school, then Charlie would, too. She pictured him in some loud house party surrounded by screaming teenagers and messy chaos with no rules anywhere. He would hate every second.

A warm, satisfied feeling spread through her chest.

Charlie passed them on the way to their next class, pretending to read a note card, but Sky caught the muscle twitch in his jaw. He hated this. He was already mentally preparing. Already stressed. Already imagining all the awful possibilities.

Good.

But as soon as the school was over, Charlie cornered her.

“Why did you agree to go to Elisa’s party?” he hissed.

Sky raised an eyebrow. “Why? What do you mean by why? Why wouldn’t I agree? I am a teenager and I like to have fun. Not all teenagers are boring like you, Charlie.”

Charlie winced. “You don’t like Elisa Campbell. You called her a bimbo once.”

“Ah, so you were eavesdropping. Of course you were. Anyway, it doesn’t matter whether I like her or not. She is a senior and very popular. I think it will be good for me to go. It might even improve my social life you’ve been trying to ruin,” Sky barked.

Charlie’s expression didn’t move, but his jaw tightened like he was grinding gravel between his teeth.

“I’m not trying to ruin your social life,” he said.

Sky scoffed. “Really? Because you dragged me out of a club like a sack of potatoes. That kind of kills the vibe, don’t you think?”

“That was for your safety,” he shot back. Charlie stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Your father wouldn’t allow it.”

Sky rolled her eyes so hard she momentarily saw her own brain.

“Oh, yes, Father Dearest. How could I forget the King’s royal decree?”

Charlie’s brows pulled together. “This isn’t a joke.”

“It’s literally a joke. My entire life is a joke,” she said dramatically, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I have a bodyguard and I am not even famous. I am a teenage hermit with a babysitter.”

“I’m not a babysitter,” Charlie snapped.

Sky lifted her chin. “Look, I’m going. And you can’t physically stop me. Again. Because that would be embarrassing for both of us.”

Charlie let out a long, slow breath like he was trying not to spontaneously combust. “Fine. You’re going.”

Sky blinked, surprised at how quickly he surrendered.

Charlie continued, voice flat. “Only because I will be there to keep an eye on you.”

Sky snorted. “Shocker.”

“And if you manage to get permission from Mr. Foster,” he added.

Shit…

Sky knew that wouldn’t be easy. Her father barely agreed to let her have sleepovers in the past, let alone going to some wild party. “Do I have to?” she whined.

Charlie crossed his arms. “Yes. You have to.”

Sky stared at him like he’d just suggested she eat nails for lunch. “But he’s going to say no. He always says no.”

Charlie didn’t blink. “Then don’t waste your breath.”

Sky clenched her fist dramatically against her heart. “Wow. Thank you, Captain Optimism. Truly inspiring.”

Charlie just looked at her, expression unreadable. “If you really want to go, talk to him and I’d be happy to escort you there.”

God…he is such an asshole.

“Fine, I will ask Dad for permission first,” she said through gritted teeth.

Charlie nodded once, like a judge granting bail.

Sky narrowed her eyes. “You are enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Charlie blinked, completely emotionless. “I don’t enjoy anything.”

Ain’t that the truth…

Sky grumbled something about dictators and climbed into the car.

~-~

Later that night, Sky tiptoed to her Dad’s office.

Her father’s office door was slightly cracked open. Sky steadied herself, inhaled, and knocked twice.

“Come in.”

River Foster’s voice was calm. Always calm. Like nothing could shake him.

Sky pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Her father sat behind his desk, sleeves rolled up, glasses resting on paperwork. He looked up, immediately noticing her fidgeting. His brows lifted a fraction.

“That look,” he said. “It either means you want money, forgiveness, or permission.”

Sky forced a smile. “Permission. Definitely permission.”

River leaned back, crossing his arms slowly like he was bracing himself. “Go on.”

Sky took a deep breath. “So, there’s this party. This girl…um…Elisa Campbell invited me. Everyone is going. It’s like… a big deal. Like…like a huge social opportunity for me.”

Her father didn’t blink. “No.”

Sky’s jaw dropped. “You didn’t even let me finish!”

“I don’t need to finish hearing anything about a teenage party,” he replied. “No.”

Sky clenched her fists. “Dad, please! I never go anywhere. I don’t hang out with anyone.”

“You have friends over all the time.”

Sky groaned. “They come here to watch movies and eat snacks because I’m not allowed to go anywhere!”

River raised an eyebrow. “So you want permission to go somewhere loud, unmonitored, full of teenagers with alcohol? On a Saturday night?”

“Yes!” she nodded emphatically.

“No.”

Sky threw her hands up. “You are literally creating a sad lonely childhood for me!”

River set his pen down. “Sky, I’m trying to keep you safe. The world is…”

“The world is dangerous, people are untrustworthy, and I must remain a protected porcelain doll,” she interrupted sarcastically. “I know. I memorized the speech by age six.”

River locked eyes with her. Stern, but not angry. “You think this is about making you miserable?”

“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate.

River sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sky… I know you want a normal life. I want that for you. But your last name complicates things.”

Sky swallowed. “I bet Tiffany and Lucas didn’t have to be imprisoned like this!” she exclaimed.

River exhled loudly. “Tiffany and Lucas were trained when they were young to fit into our lifestyle. Because they were expected to take over my businesses. You, on the other hand, are too naive and too innocent because your mother insisted on keeping you out of everything.”

Sky’s spine stiffened at the word innocent.

It felt like some kind of insult.

“I’m not innocent,” she argued. “I have… thoughts. And opinions. And…violent impulses!”

River blinked once. “That is not the defense you think it is.”

Sky deflated, folding back into the chair like a balloon losing air. “You treat me like I’m breakable.”

“You are,” he said, quieter now. “And not because you’re weak, Sky. But because people like me, like us, have enemies. Enemies who would use anything to get to me.”

Sky stared at her knees.

She hated it when he spoke like that. Like the mafia world was a thing that lived under the bed, waiting to drag her away.

She swallowed. “Then why did you let me go to public school at all? Why not lock me in a tower like your little mafia Rapunzel?”

River exhaled through his nose, like he was fighting a smile. “Your mother insisted on it. She wanted you to have friends. To laugh, to be normal.”

Sky scrunched her nose. “Some normal life I am having. Dad please. Mom would let me go. Do you want me to call her?” she threatened.

You want to call your mother,” he repeated slowly, “Do not bother her when she is trying to have a girls’ trip with your aunt. She won’t like that.”

Sky smirked. “Why? Are you scared of getting scolded, Daddy?”

A nerve twitched in River’s cheek. “I am not scared of your mother,” he said, too quickly.

Sky tilted her head, crossing her arms. “Then let me call her. She’ll totally approve. She’ll probably tell you to loosen up. Again.”

River held her stare. She held his. It felt like a medieval duel.

Then…

He broke first.

River stood, rested both palms on his desk, and frowned.

“Fine,” he said slowly.

Sky leaned forward, eyes wide.

“But,” he continued, “you do not drink anything. At all.”

“I swear!” Sky nodded rapidly.

“And you are home by midnight. No exceptions.”

“Yes.” She bounced. “YES!”

“And Sky?”

“Yes?”

River pointed at her sternly. “Charlie will be with you at all times.”

She nodded. “Of course he is. He always is.” She jumped up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.