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We sweep up the glass from where Frank threw the mug. Then I wrap a towel around my fist and clear the rest from the frame. Michael cleans up inside while I go outside to get more glass and the mug. I kneel and pick up the mug. I stare at it with a lump forming in my throat.
World’s Greatest Dad, written in clumsy, childish lettering. Michael peers through the window. “That was Emma when she was five. Is it broken?”
I clear my throat. “N-no.”
“That’s my most valuable possession,” he says.
“I can see why.”
I go back inside and place the mug on the desk. Maybe this is the moment I’ll tell him. I know I should wait for Emma, but…
My cell phone starts ringing. I take it out and see a missed call from the symbol at the top of the screen, but I can’t tell from whom. Frank is calling me now.
“Hear that, Mr. Ice?” Frank says, laughing. He must be holding his phone up. I can hear sirens. “Your boys thought it would be a good idea to rob a liquor store before they made their run for it. Luckily, we were tailing them. We managed to stop them, but not before they fully implicated themselves. They’ll be doing time for this.”
“That’s good to hear,” I say.
“Oh, please tell Mr. Ferrier I’m sorry about the window. We’ll pay for the damages. Got carried away there.”
“It worked. Got them hyped up enough to commit another crime.”
“Yep. Now, they’rescrewed. I know you’re paying me a lot, sir, but thanks. This was one hell of a job.”
After hanging up, I check the missed call. It’s from Emma. There’s a text too.
I’m going to tell Dad this morning. Mom and Eric already know. It’s a long story, but yeah, today, lunchtime. Or whenever he comes home. I’m sorry for bothering you when you’re training.
“Is everything okay?” Michael asks as I stare down at the phone.
I nod and try to smile at him, but this is it. The last minutes or hours before he learns the truth. Before he knows I’ve been sneaking around with his daughter—claiming her, owning her, impregnating her, and loving her.
“All good,” I say. “I just need to step outside to take a phone call.”
I walk outside and dial Emma.
“Logan?” she says in a desperate voice. It makes me wish I was there with her. The phone calls and the video chats have been a unique kind of torture, making me feel like an ass for not being there for my woman.
“I’m here,” I reply.
“Eric read my texts. Mom overheard us. She knows, and she doesn’t hate me. I told her everything you said about having a house and a family. I told her you’re going to stand by the baby. She seemshappyabout it, but—”
“I’mhere, Emma,” I cut in, “in California. I’m with your dad.”
“What the… What the…”
“Heck?” I offer.
She laughs softly, despite everything. That’s my Emma down to a tee.Despite everything, she’s always got light in her, no matter how messy it gets. “Yeah.”
“It’s a long story,” I say, “but if you’re going to tell him, I think we should do it together.”
“Wait, are you coming home with him?”
“Yeah, I think I have to. I think it’s the only honorable thing we can do now.”
Listen to me talking about honor. I fucked Emma with her dad sleeping maybe ten or fifteen feet away, separated by a few walls. I fucked her hard and deep, and if I were back there, I’d do it again. Maybe I’d try not to, but I would.
“Okay,” she says. “You’re right. Together.”
