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“A room?” She sits up, hair falling across her shoulders, outlining the shape of her tits in her top. I’m a savage bastard, almost leaping on her, tearing the fabric down, indulging in those juicy nipples as she moans and begs for more.
“Yes. There’s something I have to do. Jackal will stay with you while you get ready.”
Turning, I leave the room and walk down the hallway. Angela was awake when I walked into the apartment, sitting cross-legged in the light of the TV. Now, she stands behind the couch, her sinewy arm gripping it.
“Is this what I think it is?” she asks.
I nod. She deserves the truth. “Yes, ma’am.”
Angela bites her lip and lets it go. I see where Katy gets it from. “What do you want with her? Is it—”
I have to cut in because I can see the pain about to arise on her face. She’s thinking the worst because of the people she’s met and the experiences she’s had. She’s thinking about why a wealthy older man would be so generous to her young daughter.
“I want to marry her,” I say, my voice urgent and low as I step forward. “I love her, ma’am. I love her. Maybe I’ll find a way to tell her soon. I loved her the second I saw her. Not even in person. A photo.”
Angela’s eyes fill with tears.
“We were meant to meet. I want to marry her, care for her, and protect her. It would be the greatest honor of my life.”
“Does she feel the same?”
I nod and laugh, eyes stinging. Rubbing my face, I shake my head in disbelief. I’ve got this goofy smile on my face. “Yeah, she does. It’s a miracle.”
“I knew something was different at the station. While she watched the video you sent me, she seemed desperate to be there with you. I think she loves you.”
“Mom?” Katy walks into the room, raising her hand to place it on my arm, then lowering it and pulling up short. “Um, hey.”
Angela laughs, shaking her head. “Oh, Katy. You’re not going to be winning an Oscar anytime soon.” She lowers her eyes, lips pursed. “If I’d been paying better attention, I would’ve learned to read you better. I would’ve seen the signs sooner. Is it true?”
“M-Mom?”
“Is it true? Sam says he’s told me the truth, so let me hear it from you.”
Katy licks her lips and glances at me, Jackal standing in shadow at her side. His eyes gleam bejeweled in the dark. “We’re made for each other, Mom. It’s destiny. I know how that sounds, but we’re going to get marr—” She bites down on her lip as if she thinks she’s gone too far, flashing a look at me.
“Married,” I say fiercely. “You can say it. It’s the truth. You’re my woman, Katy. I’m going to put a ring on your finger.”
She glows, flushing red, and I almost say I love you. The emotion feels almost choking, the sudden tsunami of it. “I want that.”
“You’re going to have it. It’s going to happen. A life with me, if that’s worth anything.”
She laughs, nudging me playfully. “If that’s worth anything… It’s worth everything.”
I chuckle, then glance at her mom. Angela unfolds her arms, shaking her head slowly. The same disbelief swimming through me is touching her features. “After the day you’ve had, Katy, and to be able to laugh… There were entire weeks, months when I never saw you l-l-l…”
She sits on the couch, shuddering. Katy rushes to her quickly, and Jackal sits at my side, looking up, whining. I reach down and stroke the top of his head.
“It’s not your fault, Mom—”
“It is,” she cuts in, wiping her cheeks. “It is. I’m ready to admit that. I chose pleasure over you. I chose to disappear. I chose to bury my grief, or whatever you want to call it, but I’m here now, Katy. I’m not going anywhere.”
“We’re going to help,” Katy says, her voice cracking. “Aren’t we, Sam?”
“Yes,” I say, stepping forward. “Whatever you need.”
“This is all I need—you and Katy happy. A place where the walls don’t feel like they’ll collapse any moment.”
“It’s my only wish to be with your daughter forever,” I tell her. “That means taking care of her family. Taking care of you.”
“I’m going to be better.”
“Mom, you’re doing great.”
Katy glances at me. A savage need thunders through me, but I can see the message in her eyes. The flush spreading over her neck tells me she’s getting excited thinking about the hotel room despite her daughterly loyalty. She’s wearing a hoodie and sweatpants. My mouth waters as I look at her shape and thickness.
But no, focus.
“We can reschedule—”
Angela stands and waves a hand. “As strange as this may seem, I don’t want to stand in the way. You’ll look back on this as a magical day, Katy. The day your husband avenged your poor father’s death. No, go, please.”
