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“I lost over a year with my family—yes, I chose to leave, but you shunned me. And for what? Because I wanted something more and dreamed of being bigger than bottom rung? You guys worked your asses off to give Simone and me a better life. Why can’t you understand I would work my own ass off to go the next step up?
“Staying with Jacob wasn’t going to get me anywhere, and he took advantage of me and our relationship. Four years I poured my heart and soul into that job. I earned that promotion, and it was ripped away by the firm and given tohim. I deserved better than what he and that company gave me.”
My dad reaches his hand across the table to me and takes mine. His emotions getting the best of him as tears fill his blue eyes. “We were foolish to assume you were any different from us. Hard work is in your blood, and we’re damn proud of you for finding your own path.”
He stands from the table and pulls me into a giant papa bear hug like he used to when I was little. My mom stands and wraps her arms around both of us.
“I’m still angry with both of you,” I admit.
“It’s okay,” my dad says, looking at me. “We’ll take it one day at a time.”
I nod, and we sit down. Maceo drapes his arm around my shoulder, leaning in to kiss my temple and whispers, “Thank you, Pixie.”
Our food comes, and we all eat and chat about safe topics, like the weather, my work, and anything not related to the wedding or our feud.
Curious if my parents were serious at my condo, I ask, “Are you serious about moving here and coming out of retirement?”
My dad nods. “I’m too bored staying at home. You know me, I’m not happy unless I’m busy.”
I know exactly what he means because I’m the same way.
“Maybe you wouldn’t mind coming to work for me on the builds. Your career as a welder speaks for itself. You could pick your hours—full or part-time—or work when you want, as long as you don’t have a problem with your daughter bossing you around.”
Shocked, all three of them stare at me. Yeah, I’m kind of surprised it came out of my mouth too.
My dad’s eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles. “You’d want to work with your old man?”
“Sure. Why not.”
My dad looks like I handed him the moon. He’s beaming with joy, and I’m rocked by how fucking happy it makes me too.
My mom smiles. “We’ll need to sell our house and find a place here.”
Maceo sets his fork on his empty plate. “You can stay in Josephine’s old condo ‘till it’s sold and after we’ll move you into headquarters. We have six rooms still available. We can store your items in one of the garages on the property until Josephine has your cottage complete.”
My dad looks uncomfortable. “I’m not sure we can afford a new cottage,” he manages to say. “Josephine’s work is high end and probably well out of our range.”
Maceo raises an eyebrow. “Who said anything about buying it? Josephine and I are gifting it to you.”
Now it’s my turn to be shocked. I’ll build them a wonderful retirement home to their comfort and style, but it costs money to build, and I don’t have much in the bank after investing all of my savings into my company. I’m selling my condo, but I was planning on throwing what I make from the sale at our new home.
Maceo takes my hand and gives me a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
“We couldn’t possibly accept it?” my dad stutters, surprised.
“Why not? You’re bringing your thirty-five years of experience to Josephine’s company, and Stella will provide childcare to our children when the time comes. Your daughter designs beautiful homes. She would be upset if you didn’t live in a place she created. I have the property already, the expense is nothing to me,” Maceo says nonchalantly.
“Dear, I know you do well with your security business, but we can’t take money away from you guys when you’re growing your businesses, building a future home, and planning on starting a family,” my mom interjects.
I have to agree with her. Maceo can’t go around spending all his hard-earned money like it grows on trees.
Maceo throws back the last of his whiskey before looking at both of my parents. “I brought in one million on my last government contract mission with the governor, and that’s not including the stand-by fee I get monthly from state security or any of my other paid assignments.
“My schedule is booked with high paying mercenary gigs and security detail jobs. Our business has been booming, and we’re growing.
“Josephine and I have briefly discussed our finances, but we haven’t talked about my net worth yet. She and our future children will be well taken care of if something were to happen to me. I have more than enough in the bank to give you guys a cottage. I want our children to have a relationship with their grandparents the way I had a relationship with myabuela.”
I knew Maceo had deep pockets when he hired me to design the MC headquarters, but I didn’t know how deep. We agreed to combine our finances after we get married, but I really don’t care what he has in his bank accounts. I’m not with him for his money.
