“I don’t know if I can. And how do I know you won’t hurt her or—”
“I’m glad you finally got to that. Do youalways put your son first?”
His tired eyes find mine, and he creases his brows in confusion. “What are you talking about? Of course, I don’t do that. I love both my children.”
“But you don’t love them the same, do you? Your priority was making sure your son was fine. Cori is an afterthought.”
“Cori isn’t facing felony charges. Devin is.” He waves his hand in dismissal. “What the hell do you know? You don’t have children. You think it’s easy? It’s not. So, answer me. How do I know you won’t hurt my daughter?”
“You’ll have to trust me. For the record, I’d never hurt a woman, least of all my wife. I’m not that type of man, and my mother raised me better than that. You have my word.” He leans back in his chair and covers his face with both hands. “And I need this done today. I’ve waited long enough. It’s time everyone in this town knows who I am, and I’ll be less formidable if I marry one of Shadow Cove’s very own.”
He sighs again. “It won’t work.” He hangs his head in despair. “My daughter will never willingly marry you. Why can’t you court her and get her to fall for you?” He eyes me up and down. “You’re a handsome guy. You can’t have problems getting a woman. Wine and dine her. She’s a sweet girl and very beautiful.” I want to snort at the sweet part. The woman is a lot of things, but sweet ain’t one. She’s nosy, sneaky, conniving, and a damn liar, but that’s okay. I’ve always preferred spicy to sweet.
“You shouldn’t have any problems—” I hold up my hand, and he shuts up.
I don’t. Until Cori, I’ve never had problems getting women, but I’ve never been a player. I was busy building an empire, and I prefer a connection to empty sex.
“Don’t worry about that.” I point at his phone. “Call and tell her to meet us here right now. Tell her it’s an emergency, and she has ten minutes to bring her behind to you. And listen to me when I tell you this, Leander, because this is the most importantpart.” He tosses his reading glasses to the table and stares up at me. “Under no circumstances is she to go home before she gets here. Make sure of it.” He gives me a blank stare. “Now pick up the fucking phone.”
Chapter 23
Cori
It’s not often that Leander Lamb summons me to meet him. I don’t remember the last time I met with him alone for a meal. Mom is always with us.
I would have stopped off at home to change my shoes, but the tone of his voice had me worried, so I left the office to head to Seven Heaven.
As I pass my apartment complex, I notice a white moving truck, and hope and pray that if I’m getting new neighbors, they won’t be noisy.
The parking lot at Seven Heaven is nearly empty, which is not surprising since it’s closing time, but the owner will make exceptions for someone like my father.
“Your daddy’s in the back, honey.” Ms. Hazel, owner of Seven Heaven, points to the rear of the restaurant when I walk in. As expected, the place is empty as she counts the cash out of her register. “Do me a favor, darling, and lock the door forme.” She hands me a set of keys. I do as she asks and return the keys to her before searching for my father.
I spot him. He sits in a secluded booth in the back. He stands, looking nervous, but my dad has never been nervous around me. He’s not perfect, but I love him.
“Hey, Dad. What’s—”
The rest of the question dies on my tongue when Daxton Hunt steps from the side and walks to the booth. My steps falter, and I offer Dax a tentative smile. I smooth down my pants and really wish I had changed before coming here.
I wanted to put on something sexy, invite him to my apartment tonight, and tell him that I’ve agreed to be with him and take our relationship public.
“Cori,” Dad says. He stands and gestures, with a shaky hand, for me to take a seat at the table. He clears his throat and sits back down. Dax stands next to Dad, and I’m suddenly uneasy.
“What’s going on? Why is he here?” I point at Dax.
“It’s nice to see you, too, sweetheart.” I swallow the sharp rebuke and refocus on my father. If I’m going to be Dax Hunt’s girlfriend, I should probably be nicer to him.
Dad rubs his hands over his bald head, and a coldness takes over my body. Whatever this is, it’s not good, but I don’t understand why Dax would be here while my father delivers bad news.
Whenever they have to give bad news, he and Mom do it together. A horrifying thought hits.
“Is Mom okay?” I quickly grab his hands.
“Yes, your mother is fine, Cori.” I exhale in relief and let him go. “Why are your hands so cold and clammy?” He rubs his hands on his pants and sighs.
He clears his throat. “It’s actually good news.” I don’t buy that for a second. He’s sweating so much, he wipes his shiny forehead with one of the handkerchiefs I gave him last Father’sDay. I embroidered his initials on them, and he said it was the best gift he had ever received. And here he is, nervous and sweaty, two things he’s never been around me. I brace myself for whatever this is.
Dad slides a folder in front of me. While I scan the contents, he speaks. “There is an orthopedist in Chicago who has agreed to see your mother. He’s a specialist, and if she qualifies for surgery, there’s a good chance she might be able to ditch that wheelchair.”
