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“I don’t know what to say. She made it clear that she wants nothing to do with me.”
“If you say so,” he sounded exasperated. “If it were me, though, I’d be confessing my undying love and begging her to come back.”
“I will.” I promised myself that before this drive was up, I’d tell Sarah how I felt about her.
When we arrived at Sarah’s parents, she was exhausted and felt sick. She got out of the car, grabbing it and wobbling. I felt as uncertain as she did when I reached for her. My head felt dizzy and unbalanced, much like my soul.
“Thank you for the ride,” she said stiffly and then stifled a gag. Her face was pale and drawn.
“Let me help you,” I held her arm to steady her. We walked to the door together, my hand on her shoulder.
Sarah’s dad opened the door before I had a chance to ring the bell. He held a shotgun in his hands.
“Daddy,” Sarah squealed.
“Pumpkin! It’s the middle of the night,” he said. “The motion lights woke me.”
“I know, Daddy.” Sarah’s eyes shined with tears. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m the one that should be sorry. I never should have ever considered that merger. I’m disgusted by my actions. I just wanted a way to change things and I made an enormous mistake. Can you forgive me?”
“Yes,” she sobbed. “Dad, this is Warwick. He helped me.”
Sarah’s dad looked at me for the first time. “I know you,” he said. He remained with his gun at chest level.
“I’m Anthony Warwick,” I said and stuck my hand out. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“I know who you are. I’m Frank. Thanks for helping her,” Frank said. He looked like he wanted to say more but remained silent.
“Okay, well thanks, Warwick.” Sarah turned to face me.
I looked at her hopefully. Now was my chance. I opened my mouth to speak, but as I did, Sarah grabbed her stomach hard. She covered her mouth and ran for the washroom, and I was left standing with Frank at the door.
“Is she okay?” her dad asked as she ran.
“I think so,” I said slowly. I glanced at Kevin who nodded encouragingly. “There’s something I want to ask you,” I began.
“I know she’s pregnant,” Frank interjected. “Did she actually think her mother wasn’t going to tell me?”
I gaped at him. He already knew. “I don’t know,” I said carefully. “That’s between you and her, and her mother.”
“Are you the father?” Frank asked. His dark eyes pierced into mine and his fingers clenched the gun. I held his gaze and responded.
“Yes.”
“What are your intentions? Both of you?” This man was right to the point.
“I want to marry her,” I said without hesitation. “I’m in love with her and I want to marry her and be with her.”
“Great,” said her father, his expression hard and unreadable, “But what about Alex?”
I paused. “He knows and he’s fine with it. He’s going to change the family business now that Pauly’s in prison. He’s going legal. Like all the others.”
Should I tell Frank I had a way for him to do that as well?
“Good for him,” said Frank. He looked wistful as he carefully put the safety on the gun and hung it on the rack beside the door. “I’m not thrilled about any of this. She is my little girl, you know. And I know I’ve made huge mistakes, but the last thing I want is for her to wind up with some no-good criminal like me.”
“I’m not a criminal. In fact, I have a business venture that’s opening if you want to talk merger again,” I began. “Legal. My brother is involved, sort of, but not directly, so both families would have their own capital and revenue. And if one fails or changes, the other will still be fine.”
