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“I was out picking up food and figured you could use some dinner since you’re working late,” Hailo shifted to me, swallowing the pain of seeing Trent.
“I appreciate that, Pretty Lady.” Making my way across the room, I ushered Hailo out of my office, shutting the door behind me. I knew Hailo well enough to know that seeing him upset her despite how strong she appeared. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I want to go home.”
“Let me walk you out.”
“It’s okay. I know how to find my way to the parking lot,” Ignoring her words, I walked Hailo out, tucking her safely in the car because that’s what she needed even if she didn’t admit it.
“I’ll be home after I finish with him.”
Her mouth opened an inch, likely ready to remind me she was fine and I didn’t have to end my day early. It was evident Hailo needed me, even if she couldn’t fix her lips to say it.
Instead, she nodded, and I shut the door watching the brand-new truck she’d picked out a few weeks ago roll out of the parking lot. Quickly making my way back to my office, I needed to wrap up this conversation and get home to my wife.
“What the fuck are you doing with my daughter?” Trent seethed the moment I entered my office.
“From the sounds of it, you don’t get to question me about my wife.”
“Gianni, you’re playing a very dangerous game. First, my business, now my daughter,” Trent seethed so hard I thought the vein in his neck would explode.
“You’re thinking too highly of yourself if you think I sought Hailo out just to get at you.”
“It seems mighty fuckin’ coincidental. If you hurt her-”
My jaw clenched at the nerve of him thinking he could tell me shit about Hailo. “Again, out of fuckin’ line, Trent. It seems like you’ve done enough damage for both of us. Hailo is my wife. My priority now, so stay the fuck away from her. That’s an order.”
“She’s my daughter! Business is business, but I don’t take orders from you where she’s concerned.”
“Maybe if you had that same energy earlier in her life, she’d be a lot less fucked up. I need to get home and take care of my wife. So we don't have anything to talk about until you explain how the Mayans got their hands on your shit,” I replied, packing up my belongings to finish my work at home.
Trent wanted to say more but instead buttoned his suit and exited my office. His absence had broken things in her that I don’t even think he realized. I saw it in the way she beat herself up about our situation. Her desire to give her child what she never had. He was why she was so guarded. Trent didn’t do his job. Now I had to fix a heart I didn’t break.
Sadie’s warning made a lot more sense now. She’d failed Hailo before she was even born, procreating with Trent- especially since he was married. He had children both older and younger than Hailo, which explained her comment regarding his wife- Maria.
I stopped at the corner store and grabbed Hailo’s favorite snacks. I couldn’t believe myself buying all this shit neither of them needed. The sadness in her eyes forced me to put my feelings aside. When I got in the house, Hailo was upstairs in my bedroom, struggling to get comfortable.
“Wow, dangling food in front of me like I’m a fat kid,” Hailo joked, wearing a smirk as I entered the room, holding up her favorite hot chips.
“I can take them back to the store.”
“Thanks, Gianni. You can put them in the kitchen for later.”
“I bring home your favorite snacks, and you’re going to eat them later?”
“We’re not hungry right now,” she replied slowly.
“Have you thought about names?” I asked, changing the subject to something more positive.
“Yes, but nothing seems to fit, you know. Part of me wants to wait until she’s here so I can look her in the eyes.” Hailo informed me, making herself comfortable in the bed. “What do you think?”
“Shit, I didn’t expect you to ask my opinion. I thought you’d tell me what her name would be.”
“Wow, I’m not that bad.”
“Nah, you’ve been aite lately. I’m shocked.”
“I’m good to people who are good to me.”
