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“And uncle, I mean …”
“My brother.” He interrupts, sparing me from having to name the man himself.
“We met the day after you exposed his lies in the restaurant. He was hiding away from the press camped out on his doorstep and I stormed around there to have it out with him.”
“Did you?” Rafferty says angrily, and he nods.
“We fought. I’m sure you get the picture. The worst thing was, he never fought back. Just took the punches and told me constantly how sorry he was. It wasn’t helping, so I left. That was the last I heard from him.”
“And mom?”
I enquire gently, and he shakes his head. “I moved into a hotel. I’m never going back. She will be served with divorce papers and I’m walking away. But not from you. Never from you.”
He says roughly, “I don’t care what anyone says. You are my children. I love you and I always have, and I will fight for you. You may have your mother’s family name, but you are my kids. I’m here for you and I always will be. You are not on your own.”
He draws me in for a hug and I cling to him, the tears cascading down my cheeks as my heart crashes and burns. Rafferty joins us and we hug it out, knowing that nothing will ever stop us loving the man who will always be our dad.
* * *
Later,I fix us some lunch and, as expected, the conversation soon turns to my love life and they both stare at me with concern.
“This man.” My father says with a sigh.
“Shade.” I add with a smile.
“What’s going on, Ally? Is he blackmailing you?” Rafferty says angrily, and it makes me smile.
“No, Rafe. I love him. He’s, well, he’s been amazing.”
“Are you sure about that?” My father says with a worried frown.
“Of course. You know, it didn’t start out that way. I’ll be honest about that, but I believe he loves me. He’s not your typical boyfriend, but at least he’s genuine with me. I appreciate his honesty, even if I don't always like what I hear.”
“Those photographs tell another story, Ally.”
My father’s expression is loaded with disapproval and Rafferty says in a worried voice. “He’s a criminal, Ally. Some say he’s mafia. He’s not for you.”
The fact we have two of his guards outside his apartment makes for no denial and I merely shrug and say lightly, “Look. I’m aware of what Shade represents. He has never tried to disguise that from me and if you think I’m his prisoner or something, that he’s playing with me, you’re wrong. Who knows, we may end things when the shine rubs off. We may wake up one day and decide we’re not right for one another, but not today and probably not for the foreseeable.”
I shrug. “I can’t help that I love him. I really do before you tell me I’m a fool, but I’m not going into this with my eyes shut, whatever you both think and those photographs…”
I take a deep breath. “They represent the best weekend of my life, followed by the worst, and Shade is responsible for the first weekend. So, give him a chance, giveusa chance and if it all ends tomorrow, at least I had the best time ever.”
I smile at them both. “Trust me and don’t judge me. That’s all I ask.”
My father nods and shares a look with my brother, who sighs heavily.
“Okay, but if he does anything to hurt you, conker, I’ll be looking for him. Mafia or not.”
“Don’t call me that!” I yell, laughing as they join me.
For a moment, I could believe everything was normal in my life. It feels so good I almost don’t want to leave, but then I remember what tonight is and I’m needed back at the club.
Tonight is make or break for my career but I didn’t realize it was also make or break for my life with Shade.
CHAPTER46
SHADE
