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“Daddy. Don’t.”
“Delaney, baby. Your father has every right to be angry, but not with your daughter. Not with your daughter.”
He glared at me then glanced into her eyes again.
What had angered me almost as much as anything was the lies that had been fabricated about Brandon. He didn’t have a gambling problem. I’d almost bought the bullshit. Never again would I question the man, even if we wouldn’t be friends any longer.
“I love him, Daddy. With all my heart. He’s the one. He’s your friend.” Her whisper was filled with so much agony.
Brandon took a deep breath. “I was lying there in a hospital bed feeling angry after listening to my daughter’s message, feeling sorry for myself. Then I remembered our favorite song and knew I had to move on.”
“Jimmy Buffett,” I said quietly.
He held out his hand and I clasped it immediately. “Life is too short, buddy.” He pulled me into an embrace, clapping me on my back. “Take care of my little girl or I’ll kill you myself.”
“You got it, my friend.”
When he pulled away, he smiled broadly, dragging Delaney into his arms. “Come here, sweetheart. It’s time to celebrate.”
“The race doesn’t mean anything,” I told him.
“The race was pretty spectacular,” Brandon said. “And I just might be in remission.”
As Delaney squealed, I took a step away, glancing at my big, boisterous family as they clamored around me and Brandon. There was nothing like finding the love of my life.
She was the reason I could breathe, could think clearly, and the very reason that I would have walked through fire in order to save her.
Again and again.
Delaney
“Come to the vault.”
I said the words out loud and bit my lower lip. I’d read them more a half dozen times, curious as to what the man had in mind. It had been a week since the race and we’d shared some incredible times together, including with my father. I’d learned all about what Francois had done for my dad’s medical care, which had reminded me what kind of amazing man he truly was.
Even if I knew he’d killed at least a dozen people in his search for where I’d been taken.
Being in his arms was all that mattered.
I don’t know why the flood of thoughts regarding everything we’d been through continued to roll back and forth in my mind. It made no sense, especially since we were so happy right now. But I had to pinch myself often in order to accept before I actually had started to believe it.
I took a deep breath as I headed down the stairs toward the private area. I hadn’t seen Francois for hours. He’d told me there was a business situation he needed to handle.
Then I’d been sent a dozen roses, a gorgeous red dress, and a note. Rocco had driven me to the club and while I’d done everything in my power to get the man to tell me what was going on, he’d remained mum the entire drive.
Although I’d caught him grinning more than once.
I would get Francois for this somehow. Some way.
When I was at the door, I hesitated briefly before opening it. This time, when the lights flicked on automatically, they were dimmer, providing a perfect ambiance for whatever my lover had in mind.
Only I had a feeling he’d remind me he was my master. I almost giggled at the thought. I moved through the first room, hearing dazzling pulsing music. As I walked into the room where the long table existed, I was shocked to see it adorned with silver trays piled with fruits and cheeses, wines and meats, the scent of fresh bread making my mouth water. And there were chocolate truffles.
But there was no sign of the man I adored. I grabbed a chocolate, nibbling on it before noticing the painting that I’d adored so much had been covered by a canvas.
I wanted to peek underneath the covering but knew better.
Was the man going to leave me in the lurch?
