She sighs heavily, messing with the frayed ends of her shirt. I’m going to have to replace her entire wardrobe and all my blankets at this rate.
“My father will be mad,” she says quietly. “I used to always suspect he was hoping something bad would happen to me out here. He’d never admit it, but when I told him I wanted to come home…I watched a burden lift off his shoulders. It’s going to be a fight.”
“You’re a grown woman. You can make your own decisions.”
“Like howyoulet me make my own decisions?” she snaps, turning her head to look at me. There’s truth to her accusation, but it still stings. I’ve always let her make her own choices, but I’ve used fear to steer her in certain directions. I’ll admit it. I’m ashamed of the methods, but not the outcome. “You remind me of my dad, you know. Your inability to take ‘no’for an answer. You’d both do anything to get what you want. And worst of all, you’re both smokers.”
I glance at her before setting my eyes back on the road and scoff. “I don’t think your dad likes me very much. Last time I talked to him, it seemed like he’d rather be doing anything else. Every time I walk in the same room as him, he walks out.”
“It’s not you. My dad doesn’t like anyone.” Elena shrugs. “He’ll come around. My mom likes you, though.” She laughs quietly to herself, and it’s the first real sign of life I’ve seen in her in days. “She thinks you’re cute. I also think she has a crush on Paolo.”
“It’s the eggs,” I deadpan. “Told you they were the best on the East Coast.”
A short while later, we pull into the driveway of the estate. Elena lets herself into the front door without waiting for me. It shouldn’t hurt as much as it does. She doesn’t like me right now. In fact, I’m probably one of her least favorite people on the planet.
But she loves me, and those three words are the glue holding our relationship together. Holdingmetogether.
I wonder what’s holdinghertogether.
When I walk into my home, Elena’s parents are lingering in the foyer with their luggage. Bethany smiles when she sees us. Elliot frowns. At me.
“Whew!” Bethany exclaims. “Thought we were going to miss our flight. Ellie, I packed a bag for you with the essentials. We can get a moving company to get the rest of your things.”
Elena clears her throat. “I…decided to stay.”
The room instantly goes still, and Elliot’s face turns bright red. Elena sighs and her shoulders slump. “Dad—”
“Elena, I say this with nothing but love in my heart. Grab the damn bag and say goodbye.”
My body is strung tight with the need to say something, starting with ‘don’t talk to your daughter like that’and ending with ‘fuck off’. But this is her father, and I can’t make enemies with her family. Not if I want her in my life. I’ve always known her family was important to her, but I didn’t quite understand how deep that love went until her father arrived at the hospital and she nearly jumped out of the bed to hug him.
I guess after spending almost my entire life without a real family, I had forgotten how important it is to the people that have them.
I keep my mouth shut. For now.
I watch Elena shrink into herself, as if getting ready to shield herself from his verbal attacks. “No.”
Bethany and I clash awkward gazes, and she puts a hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Honey—”
Elliot turns abruptly to face me. “I need to talk to you,” he growls, and then stomps away to the glass door leading to the back patio. I share another awkward look with Bethany and Elena, and then follow him outside.
He’s already halfway into a cigarette by the time I get out there. His shoulders bounce like he’s warming them up for a fight. “What the fuck have you done to my daughter?” he asks. No bullshit, no sugarcoating. A very direct question that demands a response.
“I don’t know what you mean, sir.”
He points into the mansion. “That woman in there is not my daughter.” He stares me down with a glare that could melt steel.
I sigh. “She just went through a traumatic experience. She’s not going to be herself. It’s normal.”
“You think I’m stupid? I’m not talking about her being kidnapped and raped. I’m talking about the fact that you had something to do with it.”
“Me?” I take a step back from him to keep my fist from connecting with his face. “Are you insane?”
“Are you or are you not thegreatChristian Reeves?” he prods, his mouth curling into a sneer at my name. “The great Christian Reeves that took over his dad’s empire. The CEO.”
I shrug. “What the fuck does that have to do with anything?”
“Neil Hayden was your employee. Elena is your employee. I know she hated that dickhead. She vented to me about him all the time. But tell me, Reeves, what’s the common denominator here?” I stay quiet and take a deep breath, my hands trembling to keep myself from knocking him on his ass. “You were arrested for assaulting him. Twice. You’re dating my daughter. He kidnaps and rapes my daughter.”
