He scoffs. “Your family?”
“We both know who Noah’s father is. And I’ll adopt the others once Emma and I are married.”
My gaze is fixed on his and he’s studying me closely—presumably to see if I’m bluffing.
“Married?” His voice cracks. He thought he was going to get away with bullying Emma—that no one would be on her side.
But she’s got me.
She’ll always have me.
“Yes.”
“I have rights. They’re my grandchildren.”
I take a step forward. I’m taller and bigger than him. He might be an elderly man now, but I have no problem in intimidating him the way he thought he could do the same to Emma.
“You have nothing.”
He’s silent for a moment. His attempt to scare her isn’t working. “This isn’t over.”
“Oh, I think it is.”
Our gazes are locked and for a moment we both stand there, saying nothing. He knows he’s lost, but I suspect he’s too proud to acknowledge it.
“I’ll see you soon, Emma. In court.”
He turns and walks away, and I grip Emma tighter as she stumbles.
When he’s gone, she buries her face in my chest. I close my eyes as her tears soak through my shirt.
“What is his issue? Why does he want so desperately to make you feel like he’s in control and you have nothing?”
Emma shrugs. “I guess Malcolm lied about his assets …”
“No, babe. It’s more than that. I get him being after the money, but why is he threatening to take the kids?”
Her eyes meet mine. The horror in them makes my throat tighten. “The girls. They want the girls.”
I set my jaw. They married her off at sixteen—what would stop them doing the same to Bailey and Kiera? He wants to crush the rebellion out of her and show her he’s in control again.
“Tough shit. He’s not touching a hair on either of their heads.”
She pats my chest. “Thank you. You didn’t have to lie to him like that though.”
“I’m not lying.”
Her eyes search mine. “Caleb …”
“I love you, Emma. Marry me. Be with me.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “Is this what you really want?”
I cup her cheek. “You are what I want. I meant everything I said.”
“I know you want to protect me from Dad, but?—”
“Hey.” I slide my hand down to grasp her chin and pull her gaze to mine. “This would have happened eventually because you and those kids are mine. Doesn’t matter if I’m not the father of all of them—I will be. We’ll just bump up the timeline.”
