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“Juan was live streaming the audio of his little home invasion, Murph. I guess he wanted to record them killing you and—and all the other sick shit they’d do. I heard what you called Molly. My woman. I heard how you defended her. I heard it all.”
“Let’s sit down,” Murphy says.
I expect Dad to lash out at him, to roar that he’s not sitting down, not until he gets to the bottom of this, but instead, he nods and walks over to the sitting area. I take my place on the couch and Murphy does the same, leaving Dad to sit opposite like we’re at a freaking job interview or something.
“My intention is to be with Molly forever,” Murphy says firmly. “We’re going to start a family together. I’m going to protect and support her for the rest of our lives. That’s my intention, Henry, and I know it must be fucking weird for you. But you know that woman I always talked about, the one I’d know as soon as I saw her? It’s Molly.”
My chest flutters at his words, warmth infusing me.
“I feel the same,” I say quickly. “I know it’s crazy, but I’ve always…”
Uh oh. I don’t want to get into the whole crush deal right now.
“Wanted someone,” I finish. “And Murphy is it for me, Dad. I know it’s not how things are usually done, but I…”
I love this man.
My lips sure are being disobedient right now.
“But I really want this. And most of all I want you to be okay with it. I’d hate for anything to come between us.”
I cough back emotion, trying to swallow it because I don’t want to cry and make Dad feel guilty. But then everything that’s happened barrels into me and I can’t take it anymore.
Tears stream down my cheeks and I start to cry, my cheeks flaming.
Murphy reaches across and places his hand on my shoulder, clearly forgetting for a beat that Dad is right there. He turns, flinching, and I stare at Dad, trying to pick apart his expression through my blurry eyes.
“This is real,” he says.
“Yes,” Murphy and I answer at the same time, as though we can’t stand the idea of anybody thinking otherwise.
“When did this start?”
I giggle, shaking my head. “My first day as his driver. I know it’s fast, but—”
“No, that’s good. That’s good.”
“It didn’t start before that,” Murphy snarls. “If that’s what you’re implying.”
“No.” Dad’s gaze snaps to Murphy. “But a father has to be sure. You’re a woman now, Molly. You can make your own decisions.”
Battling emotions move through my chest, one part of me wanting to rejoice and another plummets. He doesn’t sound happy about it, though, and I know I have no right to expect that.
But the moment seems to deflate as we stare at each other.
Then Dad’s lips twitch, and a soft smile spreads over his face, the same smile I remember from my childhood before Mom died.
“This is so weird, but looking at you two, it feels right. And you proved how much you would do to protect her, Murphy. They would’ve done terrible things, wouldn’t they?”
“Yes,” Murphy says. “But I’d never let that happen.”
Dad nods, a few tears of his own glistening in his eyes. “If you’re both happy, I’m not going to stand in your way. You both deserve happiness, and I think I’d be able to tell if this wasn’t real. It is. I can see it is. And, strangeness aside, I’m happy.”
“Really?” I whisper, hardly daring to believe it.
Dad meets my eye solidly, staring hard. “I know Murphy will take better care of you than any other man ever could. He’s the best person I’ve ever met. This doesn’t change that.”
Tears of joy fill my eyes, as I reach across the coffee table and clasp onto Dad’s hand, so much relief flooding into me I’m afraid I’m going to burst.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Murphy
“Where are we going?” she murmurs as I walk carefully behind her, my hands over her eyes.
I lead her from the car toward the best spot outside the private rally track, the viewing box that looks over the entire course. It’s only thirty minutes outside the city, perfect for my woman to come and practice whenever she wants, and I purchased it five hours ago.
As I’ve instructed, they’ve laid out my flower arrangement exactly like I asked them to in the center of the course. It cost a fortune for such a huge display to be arranged so quickly, but my woman is worth the universe.
I lead her up the stairs, still with my hands over her eyes, and then – when she starts fumbling and giggling – I scoop her into my arms and cradle her to my chest.
She squeezes against me, looking captivating in her light-fitting summer dress, accentuating her tempting body. Her hair spills down, wavy and alluring, and it takes everything I have not to bend her over the steps and take her raw.
