Page 113 of Miss Trust

Chance

I’d sell every business I had in order to prove myself worthy. If I was to become a father figure to her daughter, then I needed to ensure they came first.

But instead of smiling at my offer, she shook her head and took my hand. “The edge-of-the law investments, fine, good, get rid of them. I wouldn’t want the risk of you getting arrested or forced to deal with the FBI again. But I’d never ask you to sell your clubs. Hey, I was a stripper, and so was my sister. I refuse to be ashamed of it, and I’d do it all over again if that was the only way to keep food on the table and my baby in treatment. But the world needs more owners like you, who ensure the women are safe and the patrons are on their best behavior. I wouldn’t even consider asking you to sell those businesses you worked so hard to build.”

Was it any wonder I was completely gone for this woman? She accepted me for who I was and saw me for more than my money. “With the club openings in Spain and Germany, I’ll be gone a lot this summer.”

She put her hands back on her hips in the sexiest way. “Are you trying to talk me out of this?”

I grinned. “Not at all, but I am trying to be completely transparent in case being away from you appears selfish. Maybe it would be better if I just tell you I love you again.”

She smirked. “It is better, especially since I’m in love with you too.”

Her words filled a space I wasn’t even aware had been empty until now. “From the first day we met?”

She let out a hearty chuckle. “Not even close. Or the second meeting. Or the third, or the—”

I cut her off by taking her lips. “I get the picture. But you love me now.”

“To such depths I have to do my best not to let it freak me out.”

I smiled, feeling content in a way I hadn’t believed possible. “Will you be okay if I’m gone for a few weeks over the summer?”

“Only if you promise to get better at phone sex.”

A hearty chuckle left my throat. “You have my word. Come on, let’s go tell everyone we’ve made up before I haul you off to my bedroom, and neither one of us is ever heard from again.”

There were nothing but smiles from our group of family and friends when we found them in the living room, and they saw us holding hands and grinning at one another like lovesick teenagers.

“Change of plans. We’re unpacking the car.”

That evening, Reid and I picked up Kelsey and brought her over for dinner. While Reid and I plated the food, the ladies set the table. As we passed the plates of pasta ordered from a nearby Italian restaurant and laughed at embarrassing childhood stories Mona told, it occurred to me I felt the most content I’d ever been. A family dinner. The type I hadn’t realized how much I’d wanted until now.

Tory squeezed my hand under the table as if she sensed how much it meant to me. I hoped it was the first of many family celebrations to be hosted in this house.

“You think you’ll visit over the holidays?” I posed the question to Reid.

“Absolutely. Aiden and I were talking about a big Christmas Eve party. This house would be a good place to host it.”

“It would.” I could almost picture all of the decorations and a big tree with a ton of gifts under it for Penelope. A sudden thought of playing Santa made me smile.

“Maybe after Penny’s treatments are done, you can all visit us in Sydney.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

Later, after everyone had gone to bed, I lay with Tory wrapped around me. Peace settled over me. “You make me happy,” I whispered.

She lifted onto my chest, giving me a smile I could see in the glow of the bedside lamp. “You make me happy too.”

“Are you okay with my sister staying here after she leaves the facility?” The plan was for her to switch to outpatient care in a few weeks. “If not, I can make other arrangements.”

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I just didn’t want to assume. I heard a rumor about a relationship including this thing called checking before assuming.”

She giggled. “It’s probably a good rule. I’m looking forward to having her stay here.”

“You’re a good influence on her. She can use a friend.” When Kelsey had learned we’d collected all of her things from New York and had left her key and engagement ring on the counter, the expression on her face had been priceless. She was more than ready to start a new chapter.