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I inhale slowly, drawing in the strength I need to confess my darkest pain. “That is what I need to share. Mom. Is the shortest answer. The longer version being I wanted to prove I could take down our enemies when I found the proof of them killing mom. I was desperate to find any reason that would prove my mother didn’t end her own life. I thought for sure the Mounts killed her to get at you and I didn’t care about my safety. I was going to break into the Denatti mansion next,” I confess when the words are flowing. I pin my eyes to the flames, unable to look anyone in the eye.
Darius, Augustine and Victor all let me know they understand my pain. Victor’s fingers curl around mine. Darius has his arm around my middle and Augustine. The man’s presence fills the room, and he doesn’t have to say a word. His hand on my lower back feeds strength into me and I absorb it like a sponge.
“Your mother was troubled, Bailey.” My father’s expression fills with regret and pain. Gray overpowers what I remember as jet black hair. A year of stress did a lot to him, too.
“I know that now.” I unroll the sleeves to my sweater and cover my hands with the warmth of the cotton, suddenly feeling frozen.
“Precious, we’re so damn sorry you have this pain inside you.” My men pull me in closer and absorb my tears with kisses and tender touches.
“You’re safe here and loved,” Victor whispers.
“In time your heart will heal and we will be there the whole time.” Augustine’s words serve as a balm over my wounded soul.
“Thank you.”
“Dad, I have something else to tell you.” There’s no hiding that I have a thing for the enemy so I don’t try.
I take another deep breath, pulling from their strength and say the truth. Turns out it is the easiest thing in the world when you have love in your heart.
“I’m in love with your enemy.”
The worry pulling at the edges of his eyes softens. “I have eyes.”
“Are you mad?”
“You have no explaining to do. I see the glow on your face, child, and I know these men put that smile there. After the misery of what I did to you, you deserve happiness.”
I cross the living room and lower my weight to the cushion next to my father. “No, Daddy. I was foolish.”
“You were hurting, and I was so tangled up in my grief, my girl.”
“I still could have come to you. I meant what I said. I put you in an impossible situation and forced you to choose.”
He’s shaking his head before I finish. “I’ve made terrible mistakes. So many. Your mother is not here because I couldn’t give her the love you’ve found with these men, and you—”
I take his hand in mine. “I’m here now, Daddy. Let’s start over. You haven’t lost me. Not if you still want me in your life, that is.”
My dad—the father I grew up knowing who could not share his emotions—has so many pouring out of now. “You’ve grown so much and I regret far more than I can ever express in one afternoon. You would give me another chance at having you in my life?”
Tears well behind my lashes and this time I don’t fight to keep them at bay. They freely fall down my cheeks. I give my dad a watery smile. “I would love that. I can’t think of a better Christmas gift.”
“And these men? Do you love them, sweetheart?”
“I didn’t yesterday, to be honest.” I smile up at Darius who stands the closest like he’s looking for an excuse to pull me away and have me all to himself. Our eyes lock. “But a lot can happen in twenty-four hours.” I look to Victor and Augustine. “All three men saved my life when they could have used me to get what they wanted instead. They protected me, brought me here and called you in. I thought they brought me here to blackmail you, at first. But that didn’t happen. I’m also not blind to the fact that saving me cost them something in return.” I pick my next words carefully. The fresh connection is so fragile I fear fracturing it before it can grow strong.
“Dad, I need a favor.”
Wise eyes hold mine. He’s seen so much in this life and has so much to teach. Why I couldn’t see that before now is a testament to my blindness while suffering in silence.
“Anything.”
Five minutes ago I would have said my father wanted nothing to do with me and now I literally have his full attention and the weight of his gaze isn’t as heavy as I once considered it to be. It's comforting and a treasure I will never take for granted again.
“I hope you mean that. And I need you to know the trust you are giving me now doesn’t go unnoticed. Please keep that in mind with what I say next.” I pause and wet my suddenly dry lips. “When I returned from the Mounts, I gave you the contracts I pulled from their safe. Do you still have those?”
My father draws in a deep breath and turns to the crackling fire. I don’t breathe again until the green of his eyes meets mine once more. “I do, but why would you need those? I need them. It’s my only hope of getting them to drop their contract they took out on you. There’s damning information in those papers.” Pain and confusion passes over my father’s weathered face. I’m walking on thin ice and that is okay. I expected no less.
“This is a terrible and dark game of contracts. I don’t need them for me. I know the Mounts did not order a hit out on my mother. I know what I read on those contracts. I’ll never forget. But I know what it is to need closure. Darius’ father was murdered, and he needs to see who ordered the contract with Club Genesis to have Denatti senior killed with his own eyes.”
