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Moving down the concrete steps, my lips curve into a smirk when I see Bishop, head down as he focuses on something on his cell. I briefly wonder if he is talking to another woman—a man that looks like him is in no way without a woman or women warming his bed—and then quickly shut that thought down when jealousy consumes me. Turning to Edward, I say, “Can you give us some privacy?”
He sighs. “You know I can’t leave you Aria. I will wait here though just so you can talk.”
“Thank you. It shouldn’t take long.”
Edward smiles, leaning back against the railings.
Taking a breath, I straighten my shoulders and start toward the man who broke my heart. As if sensing me, Bishop lifts his head, his intense blue gaze landing on mine before slowly traveling down my body. I shiver at the way he looks at me, at the hunger in his eyes. Everywhere his eyes touch, my body heats and comes alive. By the way the asshole smirks, he is aware of the effect he is having on me.
Pushing to a stand, he closes the remaining distance between us as if he couldn’t wait any longer for me to get to him. “Princess,” he murmurs.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t call me that. We are here for our son. Not us.”
Bishop sighs before waving his hand toward the bench. Then, I spot the coffee carrier on the ground. Taking a seat, he drops down beside me, then bends to grab the takeaway cups. “Oat milk Chai latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon.” He hands it over, and my heart lurches that he remembers my favorite drink.
“Thank you,” I say.
He grins. “You’re welcome.” Jerking his head toward where Edward stands, he says, “Guard?”
“Of course.” My tone is curt.
Bishop chuckles, shaking his head. “Your parents clearly learned their lesson with me and assigned you an old man this time.”
I glare at him, ignoring his words, and clear my throat. “Let’s get to the point of why we are here, shall we?”
Bishop’s face sobers, and he runs a hand through his hair. “So, I’m a father.” It’s not a question, but I nod anyway. He exhales a sharp breath. “When I saw that picture online, I knew deep down he was mine. I booked the first flight here, Aria.” He scrubs a palm down his face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I grit my teeth. Is he for real? He knows why I didn’t tell him. “Because you vanished. Your cell was cut off. How the hell did you want me to contact you?”
Bishop’s head snaps to mine, no doubt at the annoyance in my voice. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I am just so pissed that I have missed so much of his life.” He sighs. “What is he like? When is his birthday?”
I smile despite the tense atmosphere and push a strand of hair behind my ear. “His birthday is December third. He is amazing and such a happy boy. I moved to Wellington when I started showing. I didn’t want to be in the spotlight and answer questions I didn’t have answers to. I also didn’t want…”
“You didn’t want to risk me finding out?” Bishop finishes for me, his tone gruff.
I nod. “Yeah. I was angry and hormonal. You just left, so I didn’t think you wanted me, let alone a baby.”
“I did. I do.”
“Anyway,” I say, ignoring him and the flutter of my heart, “I stayed with Thalia and Theo and gave birth in a private hospital with my mother and sister by my side. It was a quick birth with no problems. When they placed him in my arms, I remember feeling so much love, I can’t even describe it. Everything just slotted into place like he was my every reason. Like I was put on earth to be a mom. Despite the situation with you and not knowing where you were, in that moment, I knew everything would be okay. That Baron and I would be okay, whether you were a part of his life or not. He is loved. He is protected. He is my everything. So, if there is any part of you that thinks you will flake at the first hurdle, then I would rather you walk away now.” No matter my feelings for Bishop, my son comes first.
“Princess—” he starts but I cut him off with a hand.
“I am not your princess.”
His eyes darken with anger as he grinds out. “Jesus, Aria, if I want to call you that, then I will. You aremyprincess. You always will be,” he snaps before he takes a breath, and his voice softens. “I understand we need to take this slow until you trust me again and trust that I am here to stay. For both of you.” Emotion clogs my throat. I want to believe him, but after what happened, I don’t. He needs to prove himself. Actions mean more than words. “I am not going to walk away. I want to be a father to our son.” he says, a look on his face I can’t quite decipher. “It’s just not going to be as easy as that, unfortunately.” And there it is. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Pushing to a stand, I glower at him. “I knew it. I knew this was a mistake.” I turn to walk away, but he grabs my elbow.
“Sit down, princess.” His voice is low, leaving no room for argument.
Glaring over my shoulder, I say, “I will not have my son messed around.”
Bishop pulls me until I am sitting on the bench and drops down beside me. “I am not going to messourson around. I want to be in his life. In your life. There are things you don’t know. Things you don’t understand. It might take me some time to sort those things out, but I will be back in New York full-time. It might be in a month, might be a year, but it is happening.”
“What things? I am not just going to blindly trust you, Bishop, and go with what you say. I will protect Baron in any way I can, even if it is from his father,” I snap.
“Myson does not need protection from me.” His eyes snap shut, and he takes a calming breath.
